Kettlebell opinion...

[FormerSensei]

1st question: are kettlebells really all that great?

2nd question: are k2fitness kbs good? (Dragon Door's are far too expensive for my taste).

Thanks,

FS

[JKDBerlin]

If you use them for Grappling, MMA or some form of Kickboxing, they are good for your supplemental training. I actually love them.

I can't answer your 2nd question, don't know them.

Greets

[Club Kozak]

KB are great! You can cheaper stuff at http://www.agatsu.com

[muaythaiguy15]

Personally, I dont like them! I have used them and I wont say theyre bad but most of the excercises can be done with dumbells. Also, theyre not as good as free weights for mass building.

My biggest gripe, cost! For a few pairs of different weights, youre looking at well over the cost of an olympic bench and weights.

However, different things work for different people. Try it out, see if it works for you.

[FormerSensei]

Originally Posted by Club Kozak

KB are great! You can cheaper stuff at http://www.agatsu.com

I don't know what prices you're looking at between StrengthStuff.com and your link, but the prices looked to favor StrengthStuff.

For example, one 35lbs. KB on your site is $110.00 CDN while the same on StrengthStuff is $56.95 USD. That $110.00 CDN is almost $95.00 USD.

[>:)]

Originally Posted by muaythaiguy15

I have used them and I wont say theyre bad but most of the excercises can be done with dumbells.

Yeah

This is one thing I don't get about Kettleballs. What is the difference between them and dumbells besides the shape

I know Pavel Testosterone endorses them so they must be really effective but can't find a good explanation as to why

[Broadsword2004]

I am no expert on kettlebells, but I asked this question before on here, and was told that kettlebells utilize different exercises. For example, you might be very familiar with working out with barbells and dumbells, but I don't think you do the same exercises with kettlebells that you do with dumbells. Kettlebells have their own exercises.

I like gymnastics rings training; I gotta get me a pair of Power Rings >

[FormerSensei]

Here is but one link talking about kettlebell training.

I don't have a degree in physical education, but I can tell you that I've done some sort of weight training, albeit without a lot of discipline, for a long time now. I've never done anything more fun or more effective than kettlebell training and select bodyweight exercises. My muscles have grown all over my body, even though I only use single KB exercises. It might be because I have a 35lb, 53lb, and 70lb KB.

I usually do one day of cardio KB training, then strength training the next day, for a total of six days a week. I'm putting on some weight though, so I think I'm going to work better on my diet and maybe add a little bit of cardio.

But, my strength has really taking some leaps and bounds. My forearms are incredibily strong and ripped now. My shoulders, chest, traps, biceps and triceps have gotten bigger too. My midsection is alot stronger, even if I've let some fat get on it. My legs are very strong.

Here is what a typical week for me would look like.

WO one (Mon, Wed, Fri)
30 - 45 minutes. I'll take any of my kettlebells and do an exercise with it. It always varies. I might use my 70 lb and do one handed swings ten with each hand. Then I'll do two minutes of jump rope. Next, I might take the 53 pounder and do ten snatches each hand followed by two minutes of jump rope.

WO two (Tues, Thurs, and Sat)

I'll take the 53 and 70 out to the back yard and do the following circuit for two to five sets (depending on time constraints, and/or motivation).

Two handed windmill 53 on top hand, 70 on bottom hand (anywhere from one to four reps). Military Press with 70 right then left (anywhere from one to five reps). I'll do either dips or one handed push ups (dips up to ten reps, OAPU no more than two). Then I'll do some sort of squat with either the 53 or 70. I'll do either a hack squat with the KB behind my back, which is really difficult, or I'll do the clean press and overhead squat.

On my strength days, I'll do standing abwheel for up to ten to fifteen reps.

[Britt]

I don't understand how you use them. What are the exercises you do with them?

[FormerSensei]

Originally Posted by Britt

I don't understand how you use them. What are the exercises you do with them?

THIS LINK is about the most comprehensive guide I've seen on the net, for free at least.

[Club Kozak]

Former Sensei, the web site you linked doesn't ship to Canada, only the US.

[Britt]

Originally Posted by FormerSensei

THIS LINK is about the most comprehensive guide I've seen on the net, for free at least.

Good site, thanks.

[>:)]

Looking at those exercises, you could probably get away with doing almost al of them with a heavy dumbell. It'd be less comfortable for grip & work the forearm flexors less, but easier on the wallet. I wanna try these things out though, hopefully the prices go down, cos it's a bit much

[TrainingRoom]

We use kb's to supplement out MMA training, Frank Shamrock just recently used them and loved them . There is a great cross over of conditioning from kb training to MMA training. Completely different from dumbells and cannot do a lot of kb exercises with db's. I've been using them for about 5 years now with incredible results in strength, power, and conditioning. Nothing compares as far as I'm concerned. Combine them with some body weight stuff, sandbag training, and bag work, jump rope and you have the most effective training program for MMA. Yes, they are a bit pricey, but you can bring them with you anywhere, are great for home, and take up no space. Check out the videos on this site for some sample training.

www.JerseyShoreKettlebell.com

[treelizard]

Anyone use clubbells? How do they compare?

Also I've been looking into alternatives. How about sledgehammers with the handles cut down? Or maybe taking dumbbells (the kind that hold plates), and taking them entirely off one end and adding some to the other end?

And instead of kettlebells, what about the kb-like handles you can put weight plates on?

I read somewhere that kettlebells work the hips and back more and clubs work the shoulders and grip, anyone had that experience?

I've been doing dumbbell swings instead of kettlebell swings and it just ain't the same! But I don't wanna buy 'em until I figure out which weight I want. lol