Re: Kettlebell Training

[Guest guest]

Garrett,

Please read my previous post again. I was not advocating side lateral raises

with kettlebells. I used that exercise because the math was easy. I was

pointing out the fallacy in the kettlebell marketing that was previously posted

(some of the marketing you don't like) that because of the extended length of

the resistance arm, the felt resistance was greater. I was pointing out that

you could simply use a heavier weight for the same resistance effect.

As to the additional swing present at the hand, I don't know, and don't pretend

to know, because I have NOT used a kettlebell. (I am not sure I have even seen

one in real life).

They may be a great way of training, but are the benefits (which, to my limited

knowledge, anecdotal) to my clients or to others considering them worth the

cost? Is there something else that could be as effective?

Kettlebells, like everything else, are just tools to help us reach our goals.

Gray Lipford

Athletic Director

Richmond Athletic Club

Richmond, VA USA

Message: 17

Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 12:35:18 -0700

Subject: RE: eyev & underwater power cleans!

Considering that eyev was one of the strongest men of his time, I

couldn't help but notice that he also chose to use kettlebells in his OL

training (the picture of him " toying with a 72 pound weight " ). It would

appear to me that he is performing a high pull/snatch--I would guess as a

dynamic warmup for him.

The " hype " that was mentioned about kettlebells is true, it has gotten out

of hand. Too many people regurgitate the marketing claims made by various

people in the business (sound familiar?). It is somewhat embarrassing to

me as a kettlebell user. I use kettlebells and clubbells in my training

and have no interest in barbell and/or dumbbell training anymore. Do I

feel stronger and more capable athletically since using them exclusively?

Absolutely. Would I still use barbells and dumbbells in my training if my

GOALS required it? Absolutely. This is based on my personal experience

with them--no studies involved.

My issue is with those who question the use/existence of kettlebells

without ever having tried them--ignorance, for lack of a better word. I

know that Mel tried them and wasn't that fond of them. Good for him, at

least he had a foot to stand on in stating that opinion. A lack of

knowledge in kettlebell use was exemplified well in the post from the

person who did all of the calculations comparing a side lateral raise with

a dumbbell versus a kettlebell. Key point here is that no one who

understood the proper use of kettlebells would ever do a side lateral raise

with them.

As per my understanding from my Ukrainian friend, kettlebells have always

been omnipresent in the gyms of Russia. Still are today. The solid ones,

and only in three weights--16 kg, 24 kg, and 32 kg. The plate-loaded and

hollow kettlebells are great for those obsessed with " progressive

resistance " and limit strength in the swing and high pull. However, the

non-solid kettlebells are ill-suited for the bread and butter exercises of

kettlebell training, the single and/or double kettlebell snatches and clean

& jerks. Note that IronMind advises against performing the snatch and C & J

with their plate-loaded kettlebell.

Tsatsouline references quite a few Russian studies on kettlebells in his

book " The Russian Kettlebell Challenge " for those who need to see research.

Or one could try kettlebells and see why they are such a nice change from

barbells/dumbbells that kettlebell users get so fervent about them here in

the US.

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Garrett RKC NMS CSCS BS

www.ActivePotential.com

Tempe, Arizona