The 3 Best Reasons to Start Using Kettlebells
As a health and wellness professional, I am often asked about what type of exercises or workouts are the “best.” The answer to this question can vary widely and should be specific to the person asking and their goals, but there are some movements and exercises that are universally beneficial.
For example, we have written about the importance of overhead movements that maintain the health and functionality of the shoulder, squatting activities that preserve strength and mobility of the hips and core exercises that provide a stable foundation for all upper and lower extremity movements.
As complicated as all of these movements can seem, there is one exercise that addresses almost all of them and it can be done anywhere, anytime, with the simplest piece of equipment – a kettlebell.
A kettlebell is a cast iron weight that resembles a cannon ball with a handle welded to it. It dates back to the 18th century but was popularized in Soviet Union in the 19th century. Within the past 10 years, the kettlebell has become a fixture in most all gyms around the world and especially here in the United States.
Its popularity is a result of the kettlebells ability to provide both strength and cardiovascular benefits with one simple movement, the kettlebell swing. The kettlebell swing is a basic ballistic movement that can be mastered by anyone. Proper execution is deceivingly simple, but worth the effort and time required to master it.
The three best reasons to add kettlebell swings to your workout are as follows:
1. Convenience: The kettlebell swing can be done anywhere that you can stand and extend your arms in either direction. Kettlebells are easy to pack, can be brought almost anywhere and are literally indestructible. They are usually sold in proportion to their weight, but in general, are very affordable with respect to the benefit they provide.
2. They focus on the posterior chain: Most of us are biased toward being in a state of flexion – hunched or bent forward – as the world weighs us down. Similarly, we don’t focus nearly enough on the musculature on the back body that straightens, extends and pulls us upright. This grouping of muscles is exactly the focus of a kettlebell swing.
3. They balance stability and mobility: The kettlebell swing is a uniquely athletic movement that can apply to almost any sport. The swing requires strength, coordination and timing – characteristics that all sports require and that are left out of many other gym based exercises.
If you are convinced by this article and want to integrate kettlebells into your workout regimen, it is highly recommended to seek guidance from a certified kettlebell trainer or strength and conditioning coach.
