Fitness strength training practitioners are more and more discovering the benefits of using kettlebells in their routines. Ironically kettlebells are not a new phenomena. They have been around for decades and first became widely adopted in Russia. Kettlebells deliver a unique blend of both fat loss and strength training and will enhance any functional fitness goals.
So what do we mean by "functional fitness goals"? Essentially this encompasses all aspects of fitness. This includes fat loss, cardiovascular endurance, muscular development and enhanced stamina and conditioning. All of these benefits can be achieved with kettlebells in workouts that are relatively brief, with results showing in a short period of time.
The swinging motion is the core of any kettlebell fitness strength training regimen. This motion is designed to "lift" the kettlebell. I emphasize the word "lift" because we are not talking about traditional lifting types of movement, commonly associated with free weights. Instead, I'm talking about lifting in concert with a swinging or arcing motion. This type of lift has the benefit of enhancing the body's muscular system.
The most fundamental of the kettlebell fitness strength training movements is the squat swing. The way it is performed is as follows: the bell is placed in front of you. You squat down and pick up the weight. Then, you perform a squat while swinging the kettlebell upwards to shoulder level. This movement is repeated for repetitions. This single movement is a multi-joint, compound movement that hits virtually every muscle in the body. As part of a full kettlebell routine, this will significantly aid in muscular development.
Of course, there are scores of other variants to the basic exercise. Cleans, pulls, and shoulder presses can be added to the swings. One arm alternative swings can be performed to highlight the stress on the triceps. Lighter weight at higher reps can be entertained as a means of boosting fat loss potential. Really, the variations that can be performed with kettlebells can almost go on into infinity. And, best of all, the results are more than just the impact of looking good. The body becomes much stronger and more resilient to injury. In short, kettlebells can dramatically improve your health which is why they are growing in popularity among fitness strength training professionals.
Finally, let's not forget about another benefit afforded by kettlebell training that centers around people who workout at home and rely on home gym equipment. Basically, a simple and straight forward 20 minute kettlebell routine will offer you the same or greater benefit than you can obtain with large and cumbersome home gyms. Think about that for a second. Instead of spending large sums of money for equipment that takes up half of your apartment, you can achieve the same results with something that will fit in a shoebox!
So, if you want to be on the cutting edge of the fitness strength training revolution, you will want to start kettlebell workouts. They truly do deliver.
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