In January 2015, The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research published an article that had many fitness center members reaching for the kettlebells. The article contained the results of a study proving that kettlebell training may be advantageous for newbies and gym rats alike. For those that are wondering, kettlebells have been around since the 1700s but they weren’t always used to build aerobic ability.
In the early years, they were farming tools. Land owners used them to help weigh their seasonal harvests. Nowadays, fitness centers stock the cannonball shaped weights and gym members use them to build muscle. The most common, muscle-building exercise was mentioned in the research study. Known as the snatch exercise, it’s as easy as can be. Basically, the person doing the exercise picks the kettlebell up by its built-in handle and lifts it from in between his or her legs to an overhead position. This is done repeatedly, which results in improved muscle strength.
The snatch exercise isn’t the only one that involves kettlebells. There are many others, so there is little chance of boredom setting in. And for those that are afraid of the weight, rest easy. Kettlebells come in all different weights. Consequently, fitness center members can start out with a lightweight kettlebell and work their way up to the heaviest ones available on the market today. When it comes to figuring out which starting weight is best, consulting with a fitness center’s staff of personal trainers is a good place to start.
Kettlebells are typically made from two types of materials but overall, look the same in terms of shape and size. So, we wouldn’t recommend picking one up without looking at the weight category first. Many of the weights are expressed in kilograms but some also include pounds. To learn more about them and start a kettlebell routine today, please contact us.
