What do you know about Kettlebells?

[Napalm]

Anyone know anything about kettlebells? I'm a grappler and kettlebells are supposedly "the thing" with grapplers.

[tim_mcf]

I recommend that you look at this thread:

http://www.discussfitness.com/forums...vid-35256.html

and then send Dan a p.m. I would have to say that he's the resident kettlebell expert. Bob44 and I both have an adjustable kettlebell, he has used his more than I have, but if you look back through both of our workout journals, you might find a few ideas. Also, google "Girevik training" and look at Dragondoor.com.

[judo]

hey napalm,

what do you want to know? i too grapple and train w/kettlebells. tim_mcf is right go to dragondoor.com or look up mike mahler he has some really good stuff on kb.

[etothepii]

I've been hearing and reading a lot about them. My only issue is the cost. They seem pretty expensive! I have found various instructions for making your own, though!
Fightraining: Cheap Kettlebell Handles

[Napalm]

I'd like to know basically what the heck you're supposed to do with them. I know you swing them around or something but I've never even seen a kettlebell before, do they really work? Are they really good or are they like bowflex that only helps you lose weight?

[riseboi]

I incorporate kettlebells into my workouts. I think they are great at an addition to any workout out program. Search under Mike Mahler or kettlebell concepts and you'll find more info.

[tim_mcf]

Originally Posted by Napalm

I'd like to know basically what the heck you're supposed to do with them. I know you swing them around or something but I've never even seen a kettlebell before, do they really work? Are they really good or are they like bowflex that only helps you lose weight?

Did you look at the link I posted? Tons of ideas there, although Dan does really advanced stuff. You can do basically anything with a kettlebell that you can do with a dumbell, curls, rows, deadlifts, farmer's walks, and so forth. The real value, though comes in their use with ballistic motions like the swing, snatch, and clean. They are very effective, due to the fact that they're not balanced - you're basically flinging around a weight on the end of a stick, which means you have to engage the core and subsidiary muscles quite a bit more to control the bell. A kettlebell doesn't "behave", you have to exert extra force just to control it, therefore it's a more intense and demanding workout than if you did the same moves with a dumbell. Plus the weight is constantly slamming into your body, which makes you toughen up and learn to take the contact - good for combat athletes. Look at Dragondoor.com, do the search I recommended, then you will have plenty of information to work with.