5 Reasons to Love Kettlebells
(List One)
I referred to this as “List One”, because
although “100 Reasons to Love Kettlebells” is more accurate, there’s a chance
you might not really appreciate all 100 reasons at once. So I decided to start with these:
1)
Kettlebells promote functional
fitness; exercises that help you in real-life movement. Conventional dumbbells and barbells are
typically used in an isometric manner, meaning they only focus on one muscle (or
large muscle group) at a time. I liken
this to learning how to say one word at a time.
On the other hand, your standard kettlebell exercises are compound and dynamic;
requiring a larger range of motion and involving multiple muscle groups. I liken this to using those “words” in a
sentence.
2)
Kettlebells increase flexibility. Those “range-of-motion” exercises I just
mentioned? You’ll quickly see why yoga
isn’t the only game in town when it comes to flexibility.
3)
Kettlebells are versatile. With a single kettlebell you can work your
chest, back, biceps, legs, shoulders, triceps and core. You can train for power, strength and
conditioning, cardio, speed, sports… the possibilities are practically
limitless.
4)
Kettlebells are mobile. Kettlebells are one of the few
pieces of exercise equipment that can do all of those things and travel in the
trunk of your car. When the weather is
nice and the mood hits you – no, problem.
5)
Kettlebells are compact. That extremely effective impromptu park
workout you just had? How great is it
that the arsenal of equipment required consisted of, oh, say three or four
kettlebells. They take up less space in
your trunk than some people’s gym bags… and don’t smell if you forget to take
them out afterward.
We really do have a
passion for training with kettlebells and want to share it. You’re invited to join us at our next “Swingin’
in the Park: Free Outdoor Kettlebell
Cross Training Class” at Alki Beach on Saturday, May 10th at 10:30
am (weather permitting), at our neighborhood kettlebell clubs, or for personal
training. For more information visit www.seattlekettlebellclub.com .
Thanks,
Nikolai Puchlov
