Anyone here use or have used Kettlebells?
I have a 20kg (44lb) one at home which I've been using for 7 or 8 months.
Haven't really seen anyone write about them on here.
They're excellent for burning fat and really challenges your cardiovascular treatment.
If you haven't tried it before, I'd definitly recommend giving it a go! Many people refer to them as an overpriced dumbell. They're certainly overpriced but some of the movements and exercises are unique to kettlebells.
Just my 2 cents! 
Although they do look fun, I've never bothered - my problem isn't that they are overpriced, it's that they aren't adjustable - my dumbbells and barbell I can keep adding weight plates to - with kettlebells, I'd plunk down the money on one set, and that's all I'd have.
If I belonged to a gym, and they had them, I'd definitely try them out, if only for the variety.
Original Post by amethystgirl:
Although they do look fun, I've never bothered - my problem isn't that they are overpriced, it's that they aren't adjustable - my dumbbells and barbell I can keep adding weight plates to - with kettlebells, I'd plunk down the money on one set, and that's all I'd have.
If I belonged to a gym, and they had them, I'd definitely try them out, if only for the variety.
A lot of people don't like the fact that kettlebell weights jump by 4kg each time. They're a lot harder to handle than bars and dumbells because of the thick handle and the way it's shaped. A 16kg kettle feels like 25kg!
Original Post by littlesimongeorge:
Original Post by amethystgirl:
Although they do look fun, I've never bothered - my problem isn't that they are overpriced, it's that they aren't adjustable - my dumbbells and barbell I can keep adding weight plates to - with kettlebells, I'd plunk down the money on one set, and that's all I'd have.
If I belonged to a gym, and they had them, I'd definitely try them out, if only for the variety.
A lot of people don't like the fact that kettlebell weights jump by 4kg each time. They're a lot harder to handle than bars and dumbells because of the thick handle and the way it's shaped. A 16kg kettle feels like 25kg!
you're not going to really find a lot of people using those here...they are more for MA and Fighters, and pro athletes.....most people prefer to use dumbbells. I use kettle-bells all the time....
I'm not against them - they just aren't cost efficient for my workout routine (increasing weight whenever possible)
I took kettlebell workshops last summer with a guy from Poland that is a professional lifter. The workshops were awesome and I loved the workout I got with the kettlebells!
Original Post by littlesimongeorge:
They're certainly overpriced but some of the movements and exercises are unique to kettlebells.
What movements and/or exercises are unique to kettlebells? Everything I've seen done with kettlebells could be closely mimic'd with dumbells.
I love kettlebells. I think the trick is that you don't need to increase the weight, you just need to increase the difficulty of the exercise. And really, you can start getting a pretty good workout with a single kettlebell.
There is this great website that shows you some great exercises to do with them. http://www.stumptuous.com/kettlebell-training -an-introduction
I LOVE kettlebells!!! my sister is actually a certified trainer and teaches classes 6 days a week!
Got rid of all the old equipment and just have the bells. The results are amazing they work your entire core you don't have to be a boxer or UFC fighter to appreciate the bells. if you don't sweat while doing the hour work out your not doing it right!! and umm Kettlebells can not be closely mimicked with dumbbells they are way more intense. Kettlebells knocks a hard core kick a** work out.
I could go on and on about them but i wont. I just think if people have not tried them and get the opportunity to try them don't pass it up.
Original Post by bclear:
and umm Kettlebells can not be closely mimicked with dumbbells they are way more intense.
Really? what exercise can you do with a kettlebell that you can't mimic with a dumbbell?
It's the difference between a barbell bench press and a dumbbell press, mostly. The same general exercise and movement, slightly different challenge in controlling it.
The off-center weight makes controlling it slightly more challenging and more convenient for some exercises - farmer's walk with a pair of 70lbs or 88lbs ones is a bit more convenient than what the same exercise would be using dumbbells, for example.
Ultimately, they're tools. Exercise intensity is still up to you.
If you're like Eddie and bring it in everything you do, you'll have amazing results no matter what you do ;)
You can not swing a dumbbell in the same manner you can swing a kettlebell to get the results and the cardio up. You can not do bear crawls with dumbbells the same way you can do them with a kettlebell . Push up holds, snatches there are many different moves you use with Kettlebells. Sure you can mimic it but you wont get the same results. I guess unless you have done it you wouldn't get it.
Original Post by melkor:
It's the difference between a barbell bench press and a dumbbell press, mostly. The same general exercise and movement, slightly different challenge in controlling it.
The off-center weight makes controlling it slightly more challenging and more convenient for some exercises - farmer's walk with a pair of 70lbs or 88lbs ones is a bit more convenient than what the same exercise would be using dumbbells, for example.
Ultimately, they're tools. Exercise intensity is still up to you.
If you're like Eddie and bring it in everything you do, you'll have amazing results no matter what you do ;)
hehehe...your kind words made me feel like a punk...hahahaha...thanks though...
kettlebells are tough...not going to lie...they put me on my ass a number of times.
I would use them if I could afford them.
they have a set at my gym, but you can only use them if you're working with a trainer or if you ask real nice. They're pretty cool though :] I like using them.
they are great for clean and jerks. alot of people dont have the flexibility to execute a clean and jerk with proper form when using a barbell. kettlebells make it easier for a beginner to perform the olympic lifts.
for me personally, i found it increased my hand speed with my amateur boxing and improved my stamina. i also added muscle mass and improved my grip.
if someone said i can only use 1 piece of fitness equipment to stay in shape i'd choose a kettlebell over anything else.
I think the other thing is that people tend to approach a kettlebell like as if they're dumbells.
For sure, you can pick up a couple and start doing bicep curls, but the real gains of kettlebell workouts come from performing the olympic lifts and swings!
Original Post by littlesimongeorge:For sure, you can pick up a couple and start doing bicep curls, but the real gains of kettlebell workouts come from performing the olympic lifts and swings!
But you can do olympic lifts and swings with dumbbells...
It's just not the same with dumbells floggingsully.
Try them and you'll see what I'm talking about. Dumbells are ok for snatches, but aren't great for swings or clean and jerks.
When you clean a barbell you have it resting across both shoulders for a moments rest before jerking the weight overhead. You rack kettlebells in a similar way after performing the clean. You can't really do that with a dumbell to be honest.
Original Post by littlesimongeorge:
It's just not the same with dumbells floggingsully.
Why is it different? I keep asking and no body has given any sort of reason. The center of gravity changes a little and the grip may be thicker, both of which are minor differences. People keep saying kettlebells are great and dumbbells don't compare, if that's true there must be some huge difference between the two, but nobody seems to want to explain what that is...
Original Post by littlesimongeorge:
Try them and you'll see what I'm talking about. Dumbells are ok for snatches, but aren't great for swings or clean and jerks.
I've done swings and clean and jerks with dumbbells, they worked fine for me.
Original Post by littlesimongeorge:
When you clean a barbell you have it resting across both shoulders for a moments rest before jerking the weight overhead. You rack kettlebells in a similar way after performing the clean. You can't really do that with a dumbell to be honest.
Sure you can, I've done it. Is it exactly the same as doing it with a barbell or kettlebell? no. Does the effectiveness change dramatically? nope.
All I'll say is try it and see.
I've been weightlifting for years and have a PB on the bench press of 165kg, I didn't expect kettlebells to really be much of a challenge and I used to have the same opinion of them as you...until I tried them.
I'm not saying everyone should suddenly forget dumbells and barbells, and only use Kettlebells. I'm just saying give it a try, it's different and a great addition to your fitness regime.
Just a quick question: When you have the dumbells resting on your shoulders after the clean, are your elbows pointing forward, or straight down?
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