Kettlebell Training Benefits

There are many benefits to kettlebell training waiting for anyone ready to use them. For anyone willing to try something different the implications for developing phenomenal fitness are undeniable. The old-time strongmen knew this. The Soviets swore by them. Their benefits have been proven in research and experienced by many of the Eastern Block's top athletes.

Training with dumbbells, barbells, medicine balls (and anything else you can come up with) offer great benefits as well. However, kettlebells are different. They look different. They feel different. The benefits of kettlebell training are a bit different as well.
The following is a partial list of the benefits of kettlebell training. I am sure you will come up with some more once you start training.

Kettlebells and Weightloss

The ballistic style of Kettlebell Training makes the body work as one whole unit. The more of your muscles that are working at one time the more energy your body needs to supply to the muscles. This extra energy supply means that more calories and burned. Reports of 800-1500 calories an hour being burned is not uncommon.

More Muscle activation =Greater Intentsity= More Energy Required= More Calories Burned.

Kettlebells Develop Core / Abdominal Strength

Core Strength and performance have been at the forefront of the fitness and sports performance world for the last couple of years. Gyms are now littered with multicoloured Swiss Balls (you might know them as Exercise balls or Stability balls) what was once working your abs is now working your core. The TV shopping channels are always showing   the greatest way to work your core and show of your abs. This is not without good reason the Core is the workhouse of the body it helps transfer power from the limbs to enable movement and helps us to stand. So do you need to tune into the shopping channel and grab the latest greatest Ab/core training gimmick? No because your kettlebell will train core to both functional, firm and develop a six pack that will be the envy of all. This is because the Kettlebells require you to engage or switch or your core in almost every lift. If you did not you would simply fall over. This form of core activation also hits the deep core muscles which are often left out when just training your abs

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Kettlebell Training = Sexy Abs of Steel

Kettlebell Training Is Time Effective

Kettlebells are a very time effective style of training. There is no more need to spend hours in the gym or anywhere working out. Know just think how useful all that extra time would be with today’s hectic lifestyles! I have personally had two mixed martial artists and a cover model for a fitness magazine that normally put themselves through long intense workouts totally exhausted after just a twenty minute session. The fact you can more done is less time means your more lightly to do the workout in the first place, we have al had those days when a drive to the gym for an hour long session seems just to hard to fit in. The fact your not missing workouts will in turn contribute greatly to improved results. Results are the most addictive part of training. If you keep getting results and seeing the changes you want you will keep training.  

Portability/ Storage

You can take your kettlebells anywhere with you .To the beach park or garden. You don’t need a lot of space to train. When you are done stick the kettlebell under your bed or in your wardrobe.

Kettlebells are more cost effective than machines

A typical machine that you might use when you visit a gym costs about 1-2K. A single kettlebell which is all you need to get started is between £40-£70 or around $80 -$100. You do not need a large range of weights to make your training effective or progressive.  The variety of ways you can work your body and hit different muscles from different angles with this single piece of equipment just by a simple grip change is amazing. 

Kettlebells Develop Functional Strength

In a study by Voropayev (1983) two groups of college students where monitored. One group followed a standard military regimen of pull-ups, 100m sprints, standing broad jumps, and a 1km run Whilst the other group trained with nothing but kettlebells.  The groups were monitored over several years. When both groups were then tested using the same military exercises that the first group trained in the pull-ups, 100m sprints, standing broad jumps, and a 1km run. The kettlebell group scored higher in every test including the least strength based 1km run.
Even as the weight gets to light you can change the way you hold the bell to make the workouts more challenging or add a another kettlebell. Although you can’t add weight in the same way you can with dumbbells and barbells for example it has to be understood that the training your doing with the Kettlebell is very different. Kettlebell training will develop   strength that you will be able to transfer to many other aspects of your life. This is because kettlebell training works with the way your body works as a unit and not as lots of separate pieces.

Kettlebells Can Correct imbalances

The nature of kettlebell training will enable your body to correct imbalances. This is because of the structure of the kettlebell. The center of mass is always outside your grip, unlike a dumbbell. This forces your body to adapt to the movements in a more holistic fashion .Once you know where your deficits are you can tackle them with drills that then correct them. This will result in greater inter and intra muscular coordination and strength throughout a wider range of motion. Or in other words more usable efficient strength. 

Kettlebells Develop Power as well Power and Strength Endurance

Using your kettlebells to perform the explosive lifts like the clean, jerk or snatch (the ones the power lifters do in the Olympics) will help to develop great functional power. Even if your goal is to increase your max weights in the above training with kettlebells can help to achieve this.
The ability to be able to sustain your power and strength output is one of the most important factors in success in most sports. By performing the strength and power moves that are available to you with a Kettlebell for high repetitions you will develop great endurance conditioning and staying power. 

Kettlebells combine "cardio" and strength training

As an old friend, and one of the best KB coaches around, once told me..."life doesn't respect the difference". Try sprinting to catch a train while carrying a heavy package or pushing a stroller and tell me that all the "cardio" training you did in "step class" or on the recumbent bike really helped that much.

Learn to absorb force more efficiently

This is really important if you are involved in combat sports or contact sports of some kind. It is equally important for anyone that lives on this planet. Impact happens when we least expect it. Be prepared for life’s little surprises.

Kettlebells develop strength at the extremes of your range of motion

This sounds more dangerous than it is. Exercising this way creates the ability to better stabilize your joints, improves flexibility and enhances mobility. Anyone that has ever performed a windmill for the first time knows what I mean.

Well there you have it. I have written Some more on how Kettlebells benefit Men and Women Specifically. Take a look.