Why Kettlebells?
Kettlebells are an essential part of any home gym. They're one of the most versatile pieces of gym gear available. From strength training to conditioning, a kettlebell workout builds muscle and helps you burn fat.
Train with kettlebells to:
- Achieve results from one piece of equipment
- Combine cardio fitness and strength with core training
- Improve total body strength and conditioning
- Gain a vast range of flexibility, range of motion, and exercise variation
Kettlebells are also easy to learn and master, providing a safe, injury-free workout.
Are Kettlebells Useful for Workout Recovery?
Yes, kettlebell workouts are a great, low-impact way to aid recovery while getting in total body strength and cardio workouts.
Keeping swings light can help your glute, hamstring, and lower back recovery. Add three to four sets of 10-15 swings on an active rest day to break up the built-up toxins in your muscles that make you sore—and delay recovery. Plus, they will give you a much-needed conditioning boost.
Can I Build a Training Program Around Kettlebells?
Kettlebells can complement most training programs, but they can also be the star of your workouts.
You can use heavy kettlebells for Turkish get-ups, sumo deadlights, kettlebell thrusters, and double-racked front squats. Kettlebell snatches can increase your power, while swings can take care of your cardiovascular conditioning needs.
How Do I Select the Right Size Kettlebell?
Choosing the right size kettlebell is all about the movement and the stimulus you are trying to create. One pood is equal to about 16 kg or 35 pounds. Many CrossFit workouts program this weight for the women's RX kettlebell exercises. Men's RX kettlebells are often programmed at 1.5 pood, which is 24 kg or 53 pounds.
Most intermediate and up athletes should use 26 to 53-pound kettlebells for kettlebell swings and snatches. Novices should start with a lower weight, such as a 13 or 18-pound kettlebell. You can increase the weight by one or two sizes for deadlifts and goblet squats. For good mornings, overhead presses, and Turkish getups, we recommend decreasing the weight a size or two.