Hi, I was thinking of investing in a kettlebell, is there anyone who uses them and can give me an opinion on them?

I want one so bad that I drool when I see one *wink*

I’ve got access to a kettlebell at school, and honestly, I love it.  Even just the swings (the most basic exercise done with kettlebells) give a killer workout.  Of course, the one drawback is that they’re expensive, and so it’s hard to invest in more than one weight (and everyone knows the overload principle also works with these things).

However, I highly recommend them. And on a brighter note, I found some kettlebells at a Shopko (made by Reebok, 30 lbs for 29.99) last Friday!  I haven’t bought one yet, but that may be my Christmas present to myself.  We’ll see!

I’m taking the plunge and getting a Kettlebell and the Pavel book - “Enter the Kettlebell” as my Holiday gift to myself.  Any recommendations for other Kettlebell routines (Book or DVD) would be appreciated.

Anything by Pavel Tastouline is good, he is like the kettlebell guru.

I think he’s more than the guru, I think he’s pretty much the guy who invented it…

He probably popularized them, but I don’t think he invented them, kettlebells have been around at least since the early 1900’s.

Probably. I haven’t done that much research into them.  However, everything i do find is “Pavel this,” “Pavel that”.  I should actually do some research sometime…

I see Kettlebells everywhere now, and hopefully by Christmas I’ll be strong enough to own one!

Kettlebells are an excellent, efficient way to train!!!!!

Pavel definitely had cornered the market in the introduction of the kettlebell training in the US in the last decade .....  However, it has branched out ....

For instructional (in home use), here’s an excellent dvd for those interested:

http://www.artofstrength.com/

If you go to AOS Instructional on the left hand side. It’s a 2-dvd set and well worth the money.

That said, kettlebells are truly an investment.  If you’re on the fence, you might want to try out one of the Iron Core ones (they sell them at Target and Dick’s Sporting goods). They have a dvd in with them.  It sort of gives you an idea of what training with them is like.

Just another way of training. But time efficient and total body!
Just another way to switch things up.

Cleda

PS ... If you do really get into them, it’s also wise to take a workshop or two to make sure that you are using correct form, etc.

Suzzy,

I have seen them online as small as 5lbs and for $2/lb, you should be able to get started with one of the 5 pounders.

I too have worked out with kettlebells. You can get a very good cardio routine with them too. They are very versatile. I will wait for my new gym to open. If they don’t have kettlebells, I will get a couple of my own. One small ~10lbs or so and one a little bigger ~35lbs or so. Should be lots.

I got my kettlebell about 2 months ago and I can tell you they are a hell of workout, I burn between 600 and 800 calories for my half hour session. By time i’m done I can barely lift the thing and sweating like a fountain.
I purchased mine(36lbs) for $70 Canadian, The 18lbs one is a good starter weight for ladies and retails for about $30 Canadian.

Derek and Shawn!! 

Oh my goodness, you got me all excited now! I’m amazed at how many calories it burns in a half an hour. WOW!!! Plus, I didnt realize they came in lighter versions of what I’ve seen in the sporting good stores, and affordable to boot!! So with that being typed I’ve decided that Kettlebells and the DVD will be my next reward to myself at the end of this month.  Hopefully they can help me get stronger and eventually lift more heavier weights .  Thank you guys for sharing this information with me, its totally appreciated!

When I was going through physical therapy for my broken wrist the therapy place shared a suite with a personal training type place which primarily emphasized kettle bells.

As I was at physical therapy for 3 months - I saw several people that did a kettle bell routine 2 -3 times a week for a half hour at a time really tone up.

Hopefully in another month I will have enough strength in my wrist to start with the little ones!