Ever get tired of doing endless cardio? Don’t want to build too much muscle lifting heavy weights? Believe it or not, there’s a perfect happy medium and it’s called the kettlebell. Research is starting to find that a combination of weight training and high intensity cardio puts our bodies in fat melting mode while also adding healthy muscle tone which can be accomplished using kettlebell exercises.
How Kettlebells Are Different from Dumbbells
The kettlebell first originated in 18th century Russia and is a ball of cast iron with “horns” that shape into a handle. The handle is what is used the most, but the horns are useful when different holds are needed, like during squats for example. So what’s special about a kettlebell compared to dumbbells and other weight training tools? A kettlebell’s weight is not distributed evenly like it is with dumbbells. This creates the need to counterbalance and stabilize your body during kettlebell exercises, which are amazing for core strength, balance, and coordination.
What’s even more interesting is that a 2013 study[1] done by the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse over a period of eight weeks showed that athletes (with experience in strength training) not only had their strength improve, but core strength jumped by 70%. Also, aerobic ability increased 13.8% and balance improved by leaps and bounds. This is not only valuable for the everyday Average Joe, but also for people who may lack balance and strength, like older adults and the physically challenged.
Benefits of Kettlebell Exercises
There are tons of awesome benefits that come from doing kettlebell exercises. Kettlebells are known to improve overall strength, core power, balance, flexibility, and coordination while also melting fat and sculpting healthy and lean muscles. Because a kettle bell has an off-set center of gravity, usually about 6 to 8 inches away from your grip on the handle, it is harder to control. So, any kettlebell exercises are going to require strict and controlled form and body mechanics.
Here are a few other benefits of including kettlebell exercises into your fitness routine:
- Combines Strength and Cardio – Perform ballistic exercises that combine strength, cardio, and flexibility training.
- Improves Functional Strength – Targets multiple muscle groups that help with everyday tasks and daily life.
- Compact and Portable – Only need one or two to train you entire body and are easy to store away.
- Fun and Versatile Workouts – Kettlebell exercises offer a wide range of movements that target every muscle group for a total body workout.
Time to Experience How It’s Like to Exercise with a Kettlebell
Are you ready to give it a go? You won’t be disappointed! First a kettlebell and then get to work. Below are some of the biggest and most important moves in kettlebell training that will target your entire body. Let’s go!
1. Russian Kettlebell Swing
via Real Simple
Targets: Shoulders, back, hips, glutes, legs, core, arms, shoulders
The Move: Stand up tall with your feet a little wider than hip width apart. Pick up the kettlebell by the handle with both hands, palms facing your body. Now, keeping your knees slightly bent, drive your hips backwards, dropping the kettlebell between your legs. With an explosive motion, drive your hips forwards swinging the kettlebell in front of your body while also keeping your glutes and core tight. Keep this swinging motion going for a total of 12 to 15 reps, and remember to use your hips, not your arms to swing the bell.[2]
2. Kettlebell Goblet Squat
via MyFitnessPal
Targets: Legs, glutes, back, core
The Move: Hold the sides of the kettlebell handle (the horns) in both hands directly in front of your chest. With your feet hip width apart, bend into a squat keeping your knees behind your toes and weight on your heels. Once your legs are parallel to the ground, drive upwards with your heels into a standing position. Repeat for a total of 12-15 reps![3]
3. Kettlebell Lunge Press
via Greatist
Targets: Shoulders, back, arms, abs, glutes, legs, core
The Move: Stand up straight with the handle of the kettlebell held by both hands in front of your body. Step forward into a lunge with your left leg while simultaneously raising the kettlebell with the right arm towards the ceiling. Feel the burn everywhere! Return your legs to standing while lowering the kettlebell back to your chest. Aim for 12-15 reps per leg…ouch!9[4]
4. Kettlebell Sumo Upright Row
Targets: Back, legs, shoulders, arms, core
The Move: Start with your feet a little wider than hip width apart and the kettlebell on the ground between your feet. Lower down into a squat to pick the kettlebell up by the handle with both hands (knuckles towards the floor). Push up through your heels to standing while raising the kettlebell up to your chin using your arms and shoulders. Lower back down to start and repeat for 12-15 reps.[5]
5. Kettlebell Russian Twist
via Trimmed & Toned
Targets: Abs, obliques
The Move: Sit on the floor with your feet in front of you. Hold the kettlebell to your chest, and raise your feet off the floor (and keep them in the air!) Start by twisting from side to side, and if your ambitious, tapping the kettlebell on the floor on each side of your hips. Your abs will be on fire after about five of these! Keep going for a target of 15-20 reps.[6]
6. Single-Arm Kettlebell Press
via Bodybuilding.com
Targets: Chest, arms, core
The Move: Lie flat on the ground with your knees bent (best for back support). Grab the kettlebell by the handle in one hand with your palm facing your body. Slowly push the kettlebell towards the ceiling while rotating that hand to face towards your feet. Return to starting position and aim for 12-15 reps per arm.[7]
7. Single-Arm Kettlebell Split Jerk
via Bodybuilding.com
Targets: Shoulders, chest, back, legs, core
The Move: Start this advanced move by cleaning the kettlebell to your shoulder ending with your palms facing the front.[8] Then, bend your knees slightly and explode the kettlebell upwards over your head into a split jerk position.[9] Balance your arm and body before any further movement! Return to standing position while the kettlebell stays over your head. Carefully, without hitting yourself in the head (yeah, it happens) lower the kettlebell towards starting position. Repeat and aim for 4-6 reps per side.
8. Single-Arm Kettlebell Snatch
via Greatist
Targets: Shoulders, chest, back, core
The Move: Start with your kettlebell on the floor between your feet, which should be hip width apart. Grasp the handle, and explode up off of your toes pulling on the kettlebell until it is level with your chest (elbow should be tucked in). At this point, push the bell up over your head to complete this move. Steady yourself before lowering back down to starting position. Repeat for 4-6 reps.[10]
Don’t Forget to Warm up and Stretch Before Trying the Kettlebell Exercises!
Make sure you are warming up and stretching before using some of these explosive and bigger moves, as you don’t want to injure yourself. Always watch a video to help with proper body mechanics and to perfect each move in order to get the best out of these kettlebell exercises. And of course, enjoy the crap out of this fun and versatile workout method!
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Journal of Fitness Research, Vol. 2 No. 2: Effects of kettlebell training on aerobic capacity, muscular strength, balance, flexibility, and body composition |
| [2] | ^ | Bodybuilding.com: Kettlebell Explosion: Harness The Power Of The Kettlebell Swing |
| [3] | ^ | Muscle&Fitness: Kettlebell Squat |
| [4] | ^ | CJ Koegel: How To: Lunge with Kettlebell Press |
| [5] | ^ | santefitnesscpp: KettleBell Sumo Squat Upright Row |
| [6] | ^ | Jonny Fit: Kettlebell Moves: Kettlebell Russian Twist |
| [7] | ^ | Bodybuilding.com: One-Arm Kettlebell Floor Press |
| [8] | ^ | Lauren Brooks: Kettlebell Clean |
| [9] | ^ | Bodybuilding.com: One-Arm Kettlebell Split Jerk |
| [10] | ^ | Bodybuilding.com: One-Arm Kettlebell Snatch |
The post The Benefits of Kettlebell Workouts You Might Not Know (+8 Exercises You Should Try!) appeared first on Lifehack.
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