Kettlebell training?

bestoutwest

Cathlete
Just curious if anyone has tried kettlebell training. I got a catalog in the mail yesterday - Vitalics - that was all about kettlebell training and its many advantages. I did a search, but it hasn't been discussed for a couple of years, so I thought I would bring it up again to see what people have to say. If you want to check it out, the site is http://www.vitalics.com.
 
I haven't tried it, but I have a DVD by Mike Mahler called "Mike Mahler's Aggresive Strength: Kettlebell Solution for Size and Strength" that is a 90-miute tutorial on kettlebell technique. (I got it-- from www.veganessentials.com --because he's a vegan strength-training coach and I wanted to see his perspective and give him some financial support).

While I don't do kettlebell work, or intend to, really, and have only watched the first 30 minutes of the tutorial, there's lots of useful info in it, that he has gleaned from his experience, as well as from other strength training coaches, and the man who invented(?) kettlebell training (and whom he trained under), Pavel Tsatsouline.

Some things, like inhaling on the positive lifting phase of a lat row or upright row, go against the conventional recommendation to exhale on exertion, but I've found they work well, and are what I instinctively want to do anyway: the air in the lungs supports the chest and the shoulder girdle, and I find it helps keep my shoulders stable.

He also stresses grounding your feet and legs with every move, which I've found adds more stability and strength to my moves.
 
I saw his on a website linked to the one you put up. I thought they looked like they would be helpfull but the cost is high for what they are and I think I could get just as good of a workout with free weights and a med ball. I am sure they have their moves that require these. I have also read about people trying to make their own using bowling balls etc. with tape or whatever, scary. I think I will stick with weights. Not that I did not have an interest as well. I think they could be a good tool if you want to spend the money.
Diane Sue
http://wd.1ww.us
 
I think they
>could be a good tool if you want to spend the money.


I would think you'd need several sizes of kettlebells as well, and they would take up room.
There are some medicine balls with handles that you can get from www.fitterfirst.com (I think).

I definitely wouldn't trust the "bowling ball with tape" substitute. It seems like a lot of the moves have you using a weight that is quite heavy (and using some momentum to get them into place). Duct tape might be good for holding a fender on a car (I've seen it!), but I wouldn't trust it for this.
 
Kathryn you are right, you would need different weights and it would add up to a lot. There are better ways to get a good workout. But if I had the money and wanted to add them to my gym I would. I just have other options that are much better.:) Med balls with handles look good but can you use them between your knees?? I haven't tried this but have thought about it.
Diane Sue
http://wd.1ww.us
 
>With my luck I'd put one of those damn things through a wall
>and out on the front lawn.

LOL!!:) That is probably what would happen with me!
 
>With my luck I'd put one of those damn things through a wall
>and out on the front lawn.


Yeah, or you could dent your floor!
Mike M. uses his on the beach (sand to cushion the impact of dropping the weight on the ground after a lift).
 

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