Kettlebell, Schmettlebell!
August 31st, 2009
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by Mark Nutting · Filed Under: Fitness and Weight Loss · Personal Training Business
Kettlebells, if you were to believe the hype, this is the only equipment you would need in your club. Everyone thinks they should be using kettlebells. They are the flavor of the day. Yet another retro training device that gets all the press. In example, http://www.kettlebells.com.au/touts “Kettlebells: The ultimate hand held fitness tool for strength, weight loss and well being” WHATTA CROCK!
There, I’ve said it. Now I’ll get tons of people telling how wrong I am. I don’t care. Kettlebells are a nice piece of equipment. They offer some variety. But truthfully, there’s very little of real value that you do with a kettlebell that you couldn’t do just as effectively with a dumbbell. There are a couple of differences that I think have merit, but not enough to buy a whole set of kettlebells to appease the masses. 1) Because of the weight being below the handle, two-handed grabs are more comfortable and 2) an overhead lift is slightly easier and KBs may promote more shoulder flexibility because the weight sits on the back of the forearm. That’s about it in my eyes. Add to it that the techniques involved in flipping the KB are an extra curricular layer that is unnecessary for functional or sports performance and the religion that is kettlebell training seems all the more pointless.
Let it be said that I love my toys. I love having a wide array of training equipment even just to offer some mental variety for my clients. Know what and why you use the things that you do. Don’t get caught up in hype. No one training methodology or implement is THE WAY or THE THING. It’s all just tools.
Mark
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Agreed! There is no ultimate fitness device. Furthermore weight loss and kettlebell training have no scientific relationship. Sound nutrition and CV stimulus for weight loss. A variety of strength training methods to build strength. Thanks for the opinion Mark!
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Mark – Great post. I have never believed that there is just “one” form of exercise or one piece of equipment. I have kettlebells in my gym and I use them in some ways for some clients. Not all exercises are appropriate for all clients, just like any other tool in our toolbox. The professional trainer knows when, where, with who and how to use them, if at all.
Narina
Mark, thanks for saying what I’ve been feeling all along. I took a kettlebells class out of curiosity, but could not see any benefits over traditional weights. Plus, accidentally hitting yourself in the back of the wrist from all that “flipping” over of the handle is no fun!
Linda
ACSM, ACE
Kettlebells are the very best method to get fit. I in no way bother with any other gear nowadays, just several kettlebells and I look in top form.