By Olivia Clarke
Walking into any gym lately, you'll see classes being formed for the new rage in fitness, the kettlebell workout. Worker-outers everywhere are jumping on the kettlebell bandwagon touting it as the best thing ever, thinking it's some kind of new invention. But the kettlebell has actually been around for thousands of years. Where did they come from? And why do they work so well as a fitness tool?
What is a kettlebell?
Some say it looks like a cannonball with a handle. Some say it looks like an iron tea kettle. No matter what you think it looks like, it is a hand weight that ranges in size from 5 lbs. to 100 lbs. You can use the handle to maneuver them in such a way that you can tone and strengthen almost every muscle in your body in one fail swoop.
Where did they come from?
This traditional fitness tool is thought to have originated in Greece and initially used by athletes there over 2000 years ago. Many think it originated in Russia because it popped up in a Russian dictionary in the early 1700's and was called a "girya." Although this is true, the kettlebell has been in use by many athletes and trainers for many years in many countries and cultures. Fitness gurus love them, as do the U.S. military and firefighters.
Why do they work so well?
Well, "It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing."
The wonderful thing about a kettlebell workout is you can engage almost every muscle group in your body at the same time. For instance, you can do a basic kettlebell swing. This move requires two hands on the kettlebell. You squat and swing the kettlebell through your legs and then swing up as you stand to about your chin. Rinse and repeat about 20 times. This move, by itself, has almost everything engaged. And after doing this about 20 times, you will feel it in your butt, your quads, your core, your arms etc. Your workout time can be reduced because your workout is more efficient.
What is a kettlebell?
Some say it looks like a cannonball with a handle. Some say it looks like an iron tea kettle. No matter what you think it looks like, it is a hand weight that ranges in size from 5 lbs. to 100 lbs. You can use the handle to maneuver them in such a way that you can tone and strengthen almost every muscle in your body in one fail swoop.
Where did they come from?
This traditional fitness tool is thought to have originated in Greece and initially used by athletes there over 2000 years ago. Many think it originated in Russia because it popped up in a Russian dictionary in the early 1700's and was called a "girya." Although this is true, the kettlebell has been in use by many athletes and trainers for many years in many countries and cultures. Fitness gurus love them, as do the U.S. military and firefighters.
Why do they work so well?
Well, "It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing."
The wonderful thing about a kettlebell workout is you can engage almost every muscle group in your body at the same time. For instance, you can do a basic kettlebell swing. This move requires two hands on the kettlebell. You squat and swing the kettlebell through your legs and then swing up as you stand to about your chin. Rinse and repeat about 20 times. This move, by itself, has almost everything engaged. And after doing this about 20 times, you will feel it in your butt, your quads, your core, your arms etc. Your workout time can be reduced because your workout is more efficient.
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