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FREE Strength
Training Tips and More
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What is a
Kettlebell and
Why Use One?
A kettlebell looks
like a cannonball with a handle attached. They have been
around for a long time and are popular in Russia where they even hold
kettlebell competitions. Nowadays, the word is spreading. In the USA
kettlebells are becoming an increasingly popular way to get into great
shape and build strength.
They come any many
sizes to suit the needs of all, ranging from 8 lbs. to 105 lbs. Many
athletes including top MMA fighters and football players are using
kettlebells. So are your average weekend warrior and even
stay-at-home moms.
What makes them so
great? Couldn’t a dumbbell be used instead? While every tool has its
place, the kettlebell has some distinct advantages. First of the handle
is off-set from the weight rather than the weight being centered around
the handle. This fact causes your muscles and stabilizers to have to
work harder in order to control the weight. Harder is better as you
will get more benefit and build real-world strength.
In
addition, the thick handle will work your grip which is sadly
neglected in much of society. Best of all is a kettlebell is a
hand-held gym. Besides bodyweight exercises nothing is more convenient.
You can do any
standard weight lifting exercise with a kettlebell but you would be
missing out on much of the unique value that kettlebells can offer.
Ballistic exercises such as swings, snatches, cleans, and my favorite,
kettlebell juggling, will build huge explosive power and shock
absorption. When done in high reps you will get great muscular
endurance and non-stop cardio benefits.
Many
other exercises can be done with an added range of motion, to
build your flexibility further, or with a slight twist adding to the
fun. A kettlebell will allow you to build strength, power, endurance,
agility, and balance.
By learning how to
properly train with kettlebells you can get into the best shape of your
life. You can even do double kettlebell work to increase the
difficulty…and your strength gains.
Kettlebells
are not the end-all-be-all of training like some may
suggest, but they do deliver, and you will have a blast using them.
Some people even use them exclusively for their fitness needs while
others use them in conjunction with other tools and methods.
The
biggest benefit is that they are just plain fun. Swinging a large
chunk of iron around may look intimidating, but if you give it a shot
you may find how addictive it is. Plus there is just so great a variety
of exercises you can do.
Give
kettlebells a try for a few months and you won’t regret it. To get
the best kettlebells that I have used Click Here.
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