Why train with Kettlebells? Why, who does, are they safe, how do I learn? Kettlebells are the premier training tool for todays population. It is perfect for training athletes, weekend warriors, and even seniors. It is nothing to be intimidated by. Kettlebells consist of an iron ball with a handle attached. They originated from Russia and Eastern Bloc countries hundreds of years ago, and have remained a popular training tool since. Kettlebells are commonly used for tactical training, such as with SWAT teams, athletes such as LaDainian Tomlinson, and for fat loss and corrective training with the general public. What you can expect from Kettlebell training with High Impact?  • Profound gains in Strength and Explosive Power  • Greater Cardiovascular Strength   • Improved Flexibility and Mobility  • Improved Functional Movement patterns  • Shred Body Fat  • Increase in Muscle Tone (and/or muscle mass pending training and nutrition regimen) -Especially that of the posterior chain (hips and hamstrings), as well as arms, back and shoulders.   • Improved Balance and Hand-eye Coordination  • Decrease (many times eliminate) pain in knee, back, shoulder, hip, feet, and other joints and muscles  • Kettlebells are sure to give manual reminders of the workouts each time you decide to sit down. -Really just a few aches and pains from the muscle soreness (goes away pretty quickly)  What you should not expect from Kettlebell training with High Impact • Lazy and habit forming exercises  -We do not allow poor technique. We will work with you as much as is needed to make sure you get it right, and that it stays that way.  • Easy fluff workouts  -Results are not handed over easily. If your goals mean enough to you then this is the way to go. We can help, but that road is probably not going to be a cake walk. Workouts can and most likely will get intense. This is not to scare anyone away just to make sure you know before you jump in. You are probably going to get sore and you will be tired walking out of the workout. But the benefit that you will receive is worth the effort you choose to invest in yourself, and each kettlebeller should take pride in that.    Kettlebells are a great tool if in the right hands. Kettlebells, the Harley Davidsons of the exercise world Kettlebells are the most useful tool we have come across. Not only that but they are fun, cool, and effective. Kettlebells are quickly becoming the Harley Davidson of the exercising world. They are fun to use, deliver fantastic results, and they make you look and feel great. Besides how many other exercise tools do you see people tattooing on their bodies, which is common among kettlebellers. Shredding fat Kettlebells also have tons of health benefits. For the lifestyles of today’s average American, the areas of our bodies where we need the most work are the areas where kettlebells deliver the most impact. The most obvious is our bellies. The average American has more body fat than they would like, kettlebells are a great tool for shredding fat, you pretty much have no choice in the matter when you start training with them. Getting Pain Free The average American is also lacking in the department of strength, especially of the posterior chain (lower and upper back, glutes “butt muslces”, and hamstrings “back of thighs”). The lack of strength in the posterior chain is the biggest and most common reason for low back pain (and in many cases it is the only reason). Kettlebells work the posterior chain in a way that barbells and dumbbells cant. So, in essence, if you want a healthy back, free of pain and a great looking set of buns then kettlebells are your best option. Aesthetics: training for a body type Also, gaining muscle is a by product of gaining strength, so the next thing we can do with kettlebells is get ripped and/or massive if that is the goal (dont worry girls, you will not get bulky). We already know we will shred fat working with kettlebells but if you’re looking to gain lean mass then this is a great tool. Take a look at a traditional bodybuilder; they typically have big arms, chest and shoulders, and maybe a strong looking upper back. If they have any legs at all their glutes and hamstrings are probably tiny while their quads are many times quite large, this is hardly a pillar of power. I usually dread seeing people train for this but sometimes it’s almost comical. It would be very comical to get one these types of bodybuilders into a kettlebell workout. Most of them would probably squirm at the thought of this as they would most definitely perform poorly. Kettlebells will not make you look like a bodybuilder, but they will improve your aesthetics. With kettlebells, expect to get a butt and some hamstrings, get ripped arms and abs, a sleek and strong back, nice toned broad shoulders and a defined chest. Who can use kettlebells Another factor of kettlebells: they are an extremely good workout. Besides all the other stuff mentioned above, kettlebells can be a great workout for anyone at any level, any training level, age, or physical stature. Kettlebells can be completely tailored to your needs and allow you to progress as quickly or slowly as you need. This is a big reason for making sure that you have a good, qualified and knowledgeable trainer to teach and observe your techniques while using kettlebells. (Look for our upcoming article on “Picking Your Supposed Fitness Expert.”) Wrap-up: Kettlebells and Athletes Kettlebells, the Harley Davidson of exercise, will decrease back pain, shred fat, build strength and physique, they can be used by anyone and are a great benefit to your overall health. At High Impact our favorite factor is that kettlebells help our coaches with developing athletes. It is imperative for athletes to move well at all times. The better and faster an athlete can move the better his/her performance will be. It just so happens that the muscles that aid the most during movement are that of the posterior chain (glutes and hamstrings). The stronger these muscles are the faster an athlete can move. This makes kettlebells a great tool to use with athletes. The way that the body has to produce force to move the kettlebell is great for how athletes need to train. Coaches can be sure that their athletes are using the correct muscle groups and getting what they need out of the workout. You should be warned. Once you begin working with kettlebellls you may not want to stop.

Why train with Kettlebells?

Why, who does, are they safe, how do I learn?

Kettlebells are the premier training tool for todays population. It is perfect for training athletes, weekend warriors, and even seniors. It is nothing to be intimidated by. Kettlebells consist of an iron ball with a handle attached. They originated from Russia and Eastern Bloc countries hundreds of years ago, and have remained a popular training tool since. Kettlebells are commonly used for tactical training, such as with SWAT teams, athletes such as LaDainian Tomlinson, and for fat loss and corrective training with the general public.

What you can expect from Kettlebell training with High Impact?
    • Profound gains in Strength and Explosive Power
    • Greater Cardiovascular Strength
    • Improved Flexibility and Mobility
    • Improved Functional Movement patterns
    • Shred Body Fat
    • Increase in Muscle Tone (and/or muscle mass pending training and nutrition regimen)

        -Especially that of the posterior chain (hips and hamstrings), as well as arms, back and shoulders.
    • Improved Balance and Hand-eye Coordination
    • Decrease (many times eliminate) pain in knee, back, shoulder, hip, feet, and other joints and muscles
    • Kettlebells are sure to give manual reminders of the workouts each time you decide to sit down.

-Really just a few aches and pains from the muscle soreness (goes away pretty quickly)

What you should not expect from Kettlebell training with High Impact

    • Lazy and habit forming exercises
        -We do not allow poor technique. We will work with you as much as is needed to make sure you get it right, and that it stays that way.
    • Easy fluff workouts
           -Results are not handed over easily. If your goals mean enough to you then this is the way to go. We can help, but that road is probably not going to be a cake walk. Workouts can and most likely will get intense. This is not to scare anyone away just to make sure you know before you jump in. You are probably going to get sore and you will be tired walking out of the workout. But the benefit that you will receive is worth the effort you choose to invest in yourself, and each kettlebeller should take pride in that.

Kettlebells are a great tool if in the right hands.

Kettlebells, the Harley Davidsons of the exercise world

Kettlebells are the most useful tool we have come across. Not only that but they are fun, cool, and effective. Kettlebells are quickly becoming the Harley Davidson of the exercising world. They are fun to use, deliver fantastic results, and they make you look and feel great. Besides how many other exercise tools do you see people tattooing on their bodies, which is common among kettlebellers.

Shredding fat

Kettlebells also have tons of health benefits. For the lifestyles of today’s average American, the areas of our bodies where we need the most work are the areas where kettlebells deliver the most impact. The most obvious is our bellies. The average American has more body fat than they would like, kettlebells are a great tool for shredding fat, you pretty much have no choice in the matter when you start training with them.

Getting Pain Free

The average American is also lacking in the department of strength, especially of the posterior chain (lower and upper back, glutes “butt muslces”, and hamstrings “back of thighs”). The lack of strength in the posterior chain is the biggest and most common reason for low back pain (and in many cases it is the only reason). Kettlebells work the posterior chain in a way that barbells and dumbbells cant. So, in essence, if you want a healthy back, free of pain and a great looking set of buns then kettlebells are your best option.

Aesthetics: training for a body type

Also, gaining muscle is a by product of gaining strength, so the next thing we can do with kettlebells is get ripped and/or massive if that is the goal (dont worry girls, you will not get bulky). We already know we will shred fat working with kettlebells but if you’re looking to gain lean mass then this is a great tool. Take a look at a traditional bodybuilder; they typically have big arms, chest and shoulders, and maybe a strong looking upper back. If they have any legs at all their glutes and hamstrings are probably tiny while their quads are many times quite large, this is hardly a pillar of power. I usually dread seeing people train for this but sometimes it’s almost comical.

It would be very comical to get one these types of bodybuilders into a kettlebell workout. Most of them would probably squirm at the thought of this as they would most definitely perform poorly. Kettlebells will not make you look like a bodybuilder, but they will improve your aesthetics. With kettlebells, expect to get a butt and some hamstrings, get ripped arms and abs, a sleek and strong back, nice toned broad shoulders and a defined chest.

Who can use kettlebells

Another factor of kettlebells: they are an extremely good workout. Besides all the other stuff mentioned above, kettlebells can be a great workout for anyone at any level, any training level, age, or physical stature. Kettlebells can be completely tailored to your needs and allow you to progress as quickly or slowly as you need. This is a big reason for making sure that you have a good, qualified and knowledgeable trainer to teach and observe your techniques while using kettlebells. (Look for our upcoming article on “Picking Your Supposed Fitness Expert.”)

Wrap-up: Kettlebells and Athletes

Kettlebells, the Harley Davidson of exercise, will decrease back pain, shred fat, build strength and physique, they can be used by anyone and are a great benefit to your overall health. At High Impact our favorite factor is that kettlebells help our coaches with developing athletes. It is imperative for athletes to move well at all times. The better and faster an athlete can move the better his/her performance will be. It just so happens that the muscles that aid the most during movement are that of the posterior chain (glutes and hamstrings). The stronger these muscles are the faster an athlete can move. This makes kettlebells a great tool to use with athletes. The way that the body has to produce force to move the kettlebell is great for how athletes need to train. Coaches can be sure that their athletes are using the correct muscle groups and getting what they need out of the workout.

You should be warned. Once you begin working with kettlebellls you may not want to stop.

About the author:

ADAM REES: BS, NASM, AKC

Adam Rees is a Performance Coach with High Impact for the Southeast Iowa area. Adam specializes in the mental and physical training of athletes for football, wrestling, baseball, and track. Including: speed and agility, strength and conditioning, corrective lifting, Nutrition, and fat loss training.To contact and/or read more articles by Adam Rees go to www.HighImpactTraining.org .

Rees@HighImpactTraining.org