Kettlebells

[jh2586]

I'm interested in starting some Kettlebell workouts. I've never done them before but hear really good things about them. Any idea what weight I should start out at? I was thinking between 25 and 35 lbs. Probably gonna go with 30lbs.

I weigh about 175lbs at 5'8". I'm not muscular or anything, but I'm not a twig either.

 

[Mike95060]

I would suggest you go lighter and have someone who knows what they are doing show you how to do it properly.

 

[explorin]

I use everything from 15 to 45. If I were to buy a set..I'd want 25 and 35.. but I wouldn't be happy cause I would be missing alot.

Kettle bells are fun. Lots of interesting workouts can be done with them. I like high reps low weights and doing 2 or 3 workouts at a time with little rest. They always remind me I worked out the next day.

 

[KWeezyXB12]

start with light weights. maybe get a trainer to learn. technique and proper form is key.

 

[asthmodeus]

I would suggest you go lighter and have someone who knows what they are doing show you how to do it properly.

This. You can fuck up your joints going hard and heavy out the gate with them.

 

[Eldritch]

Yeah, Kettle bells are not as intuitive as most free weights. I would look to some expert training first.

 

[dagle]

There are adjustable kettlebells now, might want to check them out and tailor to your needs first before getting a full set of dinosaur nuggets.

 

[2strokebendejo]

16 kg is best size. Definitely get a trainer but Youtube can start ya out
Try Turkish get ups. Easy to learn
Love am.!!

 

[Dubbington]

Lots of hip and leg drive for correct kettlebell work.

 

[bruceflinch]

16 kg is best size. Definitely get a trainer but Youtube can start ya out
Try Turkish get ups. Easy to learn
Love am.!!

Hard to do.

Lots of hip and leg drive for correct kettlebell work.

True!

My neighbor is a Trainer & big proponent of Kettlebells. Form is paramount. Really good for building core.
He said until you can master the form to do a Turkish Get Up with a sandal 20 times in a row without dropping it, don't use a weight. I dropped the sandal on my face & head numerous times!
I have a 25 & 35 set. Gotton lazy in the last two months.

Lots of of good workouts on You tube.

 

[Bay Arean]

I just want to know how people who work out with kettlebells resist chuckin' em through a window or something. Damn they look like something a guy wants to launch.....way more than a shotput.

 

[bruceflinch]

I just want to know how people who work out with kettlebells resist chuckin' em through a window or something. Damn they look like something a guy wants to launch.....way more than a shotput.

You are too busy concentrating so you don't drop them on your foot!

 

[dagle]

I just want to know how people who work out with kettlebells resist chuckin' em through a window or something. Damn they look like something a guy wants to launch.....way more than a shotput.

We had this exact thought with a 5lb kettle bell and my resistance bands (3" wide and 84" length) that I use for stretching in the squat rack to make a gigantic slingshot.

 

[jh2586]

FYI, I ended up buying a 25lb and 35lb set on Amazon for like $50. I'm gonna start out on the 25lb and go SLOW.

 

[bruceflinch]

FYI, I ended up buying a 25lb and 35lb set on Amazon for like $50. I'm gonna start out on the 25lb and go SLOW.

That is a good deal.

 

[Cycle61]

Try to find some over 10 years old.

 

[phocup]

Last year my friend got me into kettlebells with this workout ( http://www.t-nation.com/workouts/10000-swing-kettlebell-workout ).

Like you I started at 25# while I learned the swing. A full body mirror will help you learn proper form. Personally after I got the technique down, the 35# didn't seem like much of a step up from the 25#. At 175# you should be able to easily handle a 50# kettle with proper form.

 

[Dubbington]

I made a Bulgarian sandbag like this. Filled with sand and rubberized wood chips. Passenger truck inner tube. What fun is you can kettle bell type movements and then tosses over the head, squats, dragging it.

 

[Cycle61]

You have weird sex toys, Dubbington.

 

[uhmeebuh]

Kettlebells = good

First
Start light and with movements that don't involve a lot of twisting (easy way to hurt yourself), reps before weight
Ex - regular old kettlebell swing, sets of 10-15, then higher

Second
Add variety to the reps, multiple moves
Ex - KB swing x 10 reps then a sumo pull x 10 reps

Third
Add in one-arm moves to the mix
Ex - One-arm KB swing and sumo pull, KB swing and one-arm KB press

Fourth
Feel the pain! Start adding in more complex moves now that you have a base established, you will be sore after these for the first time but they rock
Ex - KB windmill, turkish get ups, one arm KB thruster

Enjoy!