Kettlebell opinion...

[TrainingRoom]

Club Bells

I've used them as well. They are great for joint mobility mobility, grip, and power .

[Broadsword2004]

Wow, I never knew kettlebells were so pricey. But DragonDoor is where Pavel sells his stuff, and his stuff is way overpriced as far as I am concerned. He may have some good products, but he's still way overpriced. I looked at his book "The Naked Warrior" in the bookstore, which cost $40! You open the book, and the stuff written inside could easily be compressed into far fewer pages. At most, that book should cost $20, even less really. All it covers is the pistol and the one-arm pushup and its variations.

Ross Enamait's book on bodyweight conditioning gives far, far more exercises and costs only a little over $20. These fitness gurus, they all act like they're out to "help" people and spread the knowledge and really all they do is steal people's money. Pavel may be from a communist country, but he had no problem picking up the ways of capitalism in its hardcore form.

I also think if one bought a pair of those gymnastic "Power Rings" they sell, you could get the same workout as kettlebells, only for far less. The rings themselves cost about $100; you just need a bar to hang them from, and then you can do the gymnastic exercises. If you do a full 360 degree swing of your body while holding onto the rings, that's basically the equivalent of swinging two kettlebells that each way half your bodyweight around in a circle on the sides of your body.

Not knocking kettlebells, but I think there are cheaper alternatives, unless there are cheaper kettlebells.

[nvr8nf]

I found this thread doing a search. I just started doing kettlebell workouts last week so I could use light weight and try to get my tennis elbow to 100% dissappear.

Well, after seeing the prices of kbs at first I was discouraged. I stumbled accross this site and ordered one to try and it works well. The "quick-change" feature isn't as nearly as quick as they state but I bought it so I could simply add weight as I got stronger. Some of the exercises where you grab the kb are a little awkward because it's not round but that is my only complaint. I also ordered The Art of Strength DVD so I could learn the proper way to do the exercises. I only use a 30lb(yes I said 30!) and I am WHIPPED at the end of the 45 minute workout. In fact I have to quit a couple of exercises early. This will boost my cardio big time and hopefully bring my elbow back to full strength!

Something to checkout for those interested in kb training. Also, most of these exercisces COULD NOT done properlywith a dumbell.

[MMA Apostate]

I too went with a kettle stack ( www.kettlestack.com ) It's a great way to save money and get the same results. I however go with charles staley E.D.T. workout program and have made great gains by using his method of exercising. www.charlesstaley.com There is also Mike Mahler www.mikemahler.com who has some kettlebell workout DVDs for speed and power or putting on mass. I'm glad I invested in my kettlestack I don't think I'll be going back to "traditional" weights anytime soon.

[Maxx]

Several years ago I was training with Kettlebells rather intensely on an almost daily basis. I found that by using them I was able to develop unparalleled power and strength endurance. During Jiu Jitsu training I found that even people who had much more experience than I did had a very difficult time with me simply due to the fact that I did not tire and was able to hold my opponents until I could tap them or I was able to resist submission attempts. I also found that I was more explosive in my kickboxing. I was able to hit harder and last longer than I had before.

For strength and power they're the best.

I haven't been impressed with the basic strength training that you can do with them though. I still rely on simple Pressing Exercises (bench press, military press) pulling exercises (Lat Pull, Bent over Row, Upright Row) and squating motions (Front Squat, Dead Lift, Lunges, etc.) to build limit strength.

I tend to cycle through a couple of months of Strength training using the more traditional motions and then go though a couple of months using the more ballistic power motions of the kettlebells. It not only allows me to maintain my strength but it also gives me a little time to heal from the ballistic motions such as the snatch and clean and jerk. They tend to cause inflamation to my elbows.