Working out the Russian Way
Kettlebells are hardly a new invention. The prevailing belief is that they’re about three centuries old. It’s only recently that kettlebells have rocketed to planet wide fame, and at the time of writing they are as common as any style of weight. So why not try them out?
The less complicated moves can be used by all, even if they had no prior workout regime, and there shouldn’t be a need to order expensive apparatus. We wouldn’t advise leaping directly to the more advanced exercise routines, however. As with everything else, it’s walk before you run, as they say.
An important step before starting to use Russian kettlebells is to be certain you get yourself the best weight. Although, when you use kettlebells in your exercises, the weights used are surprisingly light. Female beginners are probably better off with an 18lb weight, although men are recommended to use the 35lb size. The explanation is that the benefit of this type of exercise stems from the movement as opposed to the weight. An instructional aid (like a pamphlet or video) is a helpful purchase when starting out, guaranteeing that you have the actions correct. The initial routine to practice with the kettlebell must be a two-handed swing. As the common element of the majority of movements, this needs to be learned early on — and it looks simpler than it is. Above all your exercises must be easy, and not awkward. A common health & safety pointer merits reiterating before you begin: your shoulders shouldn’t be used to lift. You should, instead, lift from your hips.
If you’re sure you’ve got all of that, you’re ready to move on; you’ll have learned enough to attempt more complicated routines. Punch up your fitness program by employing different exercises and reps, backed perhaps by different kinds of music. Over time, as your experience level increases, you might vary the kettlebells’ weights and even introduce another pair. You don’t want your routine to decline in effectiveness, and these suggestions can help you circumvent the issue.
A message we ought to repeat is that the kettlebells won’t help you build your muscles or play a part in bodybuilding. Instead, rely on them for weight loss and, also, to develop and maintain all round fitness and health.
Finally: fold a session working with the kettlebells to your well rounded exercise program. The amount you perform the exercises is naturally your own choice. With one or two routines per week you can easily support your general physique; and if you pick up the pace to 5-6 you can be sure to shed your fat with speed.
