Blotan Hunka
Master Black Belt
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2005
- Messages
- 1,462
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I have jumped on the latest craze and purchased a 35lb kettlebell. For those who dont know what a kettlebell is, it resembles a bowling ball or cannonball with a handle on it. Though they originate from Russia, they were a part of the nostalgic days of Sandow, Klein, and other great strongmen, not only in Russia, but in the rest of Europe and even in the United States.
Kettlebell training is different from any other form of weighted exercise I have ever done. It is a brutal, high repetition cardio/weight workout characterized by exotic (by western standards) exercises and ballistic motion. While some people may cringe at the thought of ballistic weightlifting and its effect on the joints and back, this is nothing of the sort. As a matter of fact after only 2 weeks of very basic workouts my aching elbows and shoulders from my normal workout routine are beginning to subside.
Here are a few videos of some basic exercises so you can get the "look and feel" of some of the movements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbabYc6HZw0&mode=related&search=
The drawback of kettkebells, for now, is the scarcity of instruction (I have had good luck with a series of books and videos and taking it slowly) and the cost of acquisition. Mail order is almost a requirement and they are not cheap. $80-$90+ each plus a good $30-$40 in shipping charges. I did a thourough search and phone call quest to local fitness suppliers until I found a small mom and pop martial arts and fitness store that carried them and got one for $40 with no shipping required.
They come in sizes known as "poods". A pood is an old Russian measure of weight, which equals 16kg, or roughly 35 lbs. An average man should start with a 35-pounder. It does not sound like a lot but believe it; it feels a lot heavier than it should! Most men will eventually progress to a 53-pounder, the standard issue size in the Russian military. Although available in most units, 70-pounders are used only by a few advanced guys and in elite competitions. 88-pounders are for mutants.
An average woman should start with an 18-pounder. A strong woman can go for a 26-pounder. Some women will advance to a 35-pounder. A few hard women will go beyond.
If you want to find out more here is a good place to start.
http://www.dragondoor.com/
Kettlebell training is different from any other form of weighted exercise I have ever done. It is a brutal, high repetition cardio/weight workout characterized by exotic (by western standards) exercises and ballistic motion. While some people may cringe at the thought of ballistic weightlifting and its effect on the joints and back, this is nothing of the sort. As a matter of fact after only 2 weeks of very basic workouts my aching elbows and shoulders from my normal workout routine are beginning to subside.
Here are a few videos of some basic exercises so you can get the "look and feel" of some of the movements.
The drawback of kettkebells, for now, is the scarcity of instruction (I have had good luck with a series of books and videos and taking it slowly) and the cost of acquisition. Mail order is almost a requirement and they are not cheap. $80-$90+ each plus a good $30-$40 in shipping charges. I did a thourough search and phone call quest to local fitness suppliers until I found a small mom and pop martial arts and fitness store that carried them and got one for $40 with no shipping required.
They come in sizes known as "poods". A pood is an old Russian measure of weight, which equals 16kg, or roughly 35 lbs. An average man should start with a 35-pounder. It does not sound like a lot but believe it; it feels a lot heavier than it should! Most men will eventually progress to a 53-pounder, the standard issue size in the Russian military. Although available in most units, 70-pounders are used only by a few advanced guys and in elite competitions. 88-pounders are for mutants.
An average woman should start with an 18-pounder. A strong woman can go for a 26-pounder. Some women will advance to a 35-pounder. A few hard women will go beyond.
If you want to find out more here is a good place to start.
http://www.dragondoor.com/
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