kettlebells

[Linda1]

I bought a set of kettlebells thinking the dvd with it would have a routine to follow. It didn't, just guidelines on how to use them. Anyone have a good dvd they use? I checked Collage Video, but still wasn't sure which one to get.

[MidwestGirl]

I haven't used them but I did find this website about them:

Kettlebell Recommendations For Women

[Linda1]

Thanks, guys, for the recommendations.

[theoconbrio]

I do kettlebell sport for my workout. I love it! We use bells that are all the same size, and we try to get as many reps as we can within a particular amount of time. My current goal, which I hope to hit by the end of 2011, is to jerk 2 35-lb. kettlebells overhead 100 times in 10 minutes.

My feeling is that kettlebells are just another tool. They tend to be comfortable for people with shoulder and wrist injuries, and the hand position lends itself to doing lots of high-repetition work. But there's nothing special about them, and you really need to have someone competent teach you.

I have seen clips of the Jillian Michaels DVD and I would strongly recommend AGAINST it. She does some things that are downright dangerous--like rounding her lower back when she lets the KB drop between her knees. In my opinion the very best tool you can get for a beginner is Lorna Kleidman's book. Lorna is the only Master of Sport-World Class (a ranking in international kettlebell competitions) in the United States and has been teaching KB longer than probably any other woman in the country.

Amazon.com: Body Sculpting with Kettlebells for Women: Over 50 Total Body Exercises (9781578263073): Lorna Kleidman: Books

The DVDs that MidwestGirl posted are probably good, too, since they are by a senior RKC trainer. That's a slightly different approach--more like traditional weightlifting and less of the conditioning-type workouts that we do.

Have fun! I've found them totally addicting.

[Linda1]

Nathan, thanks. I will order it with my next Amazon order. I wish she had a dvd. I'm more likely to finish up a workout if I'm following someone.

[joflake]

I have one of the Jillian Michaels dvd for kettlebells. I agree with Nathan. I think it's a good way to hurt yourself. I got the dvd in a set and had not bought the kettlebells yet, then after I watched it and did it with weights, I decided not to get the kettlebells. I have wrist problems and I'm afraid the way she has you jerk that thing will hurt my wrists.

[theoconbrio]

They're actually safer for your wrists than heavy dumbbells or barbells if you hold them properly--but you have to learn how to hold them. They should rest comfortably on your forearm (see the first video here):

Videos: Kettlebell