675Keeping Fit with Russian Kettlebells
posted on December 9th, 2009
In spite of the assumptions we’ve heard recently, the idea of the kettlebell isn’t entirely new. The popular opinion places their age at around three centuries old. Only recently have they skyrocketed to planet wide renown, and following that they are as common as any other fitness aid.
They’re not complicated, don’t require much specialized gear, and there’s no barrier to starting out. Clearly, the trickier routines shouldn’t be used immediately. As with any exercise system, the basic aspects should come first. The optimum weight to work with is one piece of information you positively need to check out before you start work with your kettlebells. You won’t need as heavy a weight as you might expect when kettlebells are your chosen form of exercise. Ladies can probably get away with an 18lb kettlebell, while men will most likely experience better results if they use the 35lb. The weights are notably low - as with these exercises, the burn comes more from the movement rather than how much weight is involved. Making sure you’ve got your exercises right is essential, so buy an instruction brochure or DVD to get it right.
The double-handed swing is what we recommend as the initial exercise you learn on first taking up the kettleball. This motion forms the core of many other techniques, and its easy appearance is misleading. Sudden halts, unsteady movements - these are far from what you want. We recommend that you make sure you’re not lifting the Russian kettlebell with your spine - use your hips instead. If you’re sure you’ve got all of that, it’s time to look further on - you’ll be ready to try more complex movements. To make sure the kettlebell can retain your motivation, variation is key - you can always vary the backing tunes, rotate exercises in and out of the workout program etc. Perhaps another pair can be factored in once you have a comfort level employing them, and to change the situation up completely you might perhaps even alter the weights you use. Of course, you don’t want your routine to decline in effectiveness, and these tips help to circumvent that. It should be noted that if you begin using Russian kettlebells with the intent of building your strength or for body building, you’ll probably be disappointed. Because, after all, Russian kettlebell workouts were intended exclusively to increase your all-round fitness level and help you lose weight. Finally, introduce a Russian kettlebell routine into a broader workout program. How regularly you actually make use of them is of course at your discretion. Simply going for one or two routines each week, it’s easy to maintain your baseline fitness levels, and if you increase to a daily regime you’re sure to shed your fat and cut weight at a good pace…
