Kettlebells

[Victor Crawford]

I would like to know how many of you actually incorporate kettlebells into your strength programs??? I have found them to be an excellent tool to gain coordination and explosiveness in my athletes. So much so that I attended Pavel Tsatsouline's Russian Kettlebell Challenge Certification and am now the only Certified Kettlebell instructor in my area. P.S. its a pretty good program for us old farts too!!!!

[Rick Karboviak]

I have applied KB training to my athletes since 2006, and discovered how well they improve in speed & power, but mostly in the general conditioning aspect. My athletes have reported to me that they feel less tired throughout a game or their practices. Mostly I feel that they feel that way is due to the corrective nature of training their muscles better via kettlebells. Take for instance the Swing exercise alone: the triple extension that must occur falls right into a natural path that makes jumping & landing easier to do & handle, since the weight is outside the body & can be directed 'through' it, as the KB's weight is absorbed by the body & re-directed. I have had VB & Basketball players report that their jumping feels more natural after learning the Swing exercise.

[Marty Snodgrass]

I would like to be cert as an instructor with this. It would add to my clients health I'm sure. More knowledge is always good.

[Victor Crawford]

Rick everything you say is absolutely true. The functional capabilities of the athletes after utilizing the KBs is unbelieveable and you dont have to give them tons and tons of exercises. The swing alone is superb.

Rick Karboviak said:

I have applied KB training to my athletes since 2006, and discovered how well they improve in speed & power, but mostly in the general conditioning aspect. My athletes have reported to me that they feel less tired throughout a game or their practices. Mostly I feel that they feel that way is due to the corrective nature of training their muscles better via kettlebells. Take for instance the Swing exercise alone: the triple extension that must occur falls right into a natural path that makes jumping & landing easier to do & handle, since the weight is outside the body & can be directed 'through' it, as the KB's weight is absorbed by the body & re-directed. I have had VB & Basketball players report that their jumping feels more natural after learning the Swing exercise.

[jobutler]

I use them in my own programs and have started to incorporate them into my bootcamps and other fitness coaching sessions. The main problem I am finding is that they are so expensive to purchase in Australia, so getting enought to make a decent set is an expensive issue.

I do think they are great though and everyone loves using them. I improved my half ironman distance triathlon performance through the addition of kettlebell work this season.

They are working great with my fatloss clients too and are another tool to keep them interested as well.

I would love to become certified as well, but live in country Victoria Australia, so this in almost impossible

Jo

[Victor Crawford]

Jo,

I had a gentleman from Austrailia in my certification class back in September so it is very possible. But I'm sure it might be a little expensive for you to come to the states. Although you might be able to find a course a little closer to you. Check out Dragondoor.com and see what you can find.

Im glad that you are using them as they are a valuable tool for any athlete or the general population that wants to lose fat or get into better shape. Congrats on your improvement!!!!

[jobutler]

I have just ordered a new set of KB's for my ladies. I can't wait for them to arrive. I only ordered 8kg ones as they are fairly new to training in any shape or form, but I just know that I am going to have to order more very soon with regular use. In the meantime, we use heaps of bodyweight training and also use stuff like tyres, chains and slosh pipes. They love it and I think it is very empowering for them to see themselves doing this type of stuff. The fatloss they are acheiving is amazing, and I am so glad of the name I chose for my business which is "FitterFaster" as results are certainly living up to it.

[Bill Vasko]

What are slosh pipes??

[Matt Hank]

I love using kettlebells for my training programs when working with athletes. We have to remember though they are just another tool in the toolbox. When you build a house you need to use a variety of tools to build a solid structure. It is the same case when developing an athlete. I see some coaches who get so caught up with a certain piece of equipment or training style when training athletes and they tend to forget that you can not build a house with just a hammer.

Pavel is amazing and I've learned a vast amount of knowledge about kettlebell training from his seminars and books.

[Peter Rouse]

I use kettlebells and clubbells.... I will utilize what ever works.

Steve Cotter is a member here, you should do his certification. It's fantastic and more in depth.

www.ikff.net