Hardcore worker-outers are signing up in droves to the latest, greatest craze in fitness: the kettlebell workout. Wander into any gym and you’ll find new classes forming. They are amazed at this “new” tool and how well it works. But, it isn’t really new at all. It’s been around for quite a while. Thousands of years in fact. Who invented this fabulous fitness device? And, what the heck makes it work so well?
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.
Was it the Greeks, or the Russians?
Where did this fabulous fat-blasting tool come from? Some say Russia, back in the 1700’s. But those people are wrong. True, Russians have used the kettlebell, or “girya” for many years in their fitness routines. However, it was the Greek athletes who started using the kettlebell over 2000 years ago. And not just the Greeks. Many athletes and trainers, for many years, in many different countries have been utilizing the kettlebell.
Why do they work so well?
Well, “It don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that swing.”
When you do a kettlebell workout, you aren’t just doing one isolated move that engages one muscle group. Instead, you are multi-tasking. For instance, with a basic swing, you swing the kettlebell through your legs while positioning yourself into a squat. Then you swing the kettlebell up to about chin height as you move into a standing position. For sure, after you do this move about 20 times, you will “feel” it everywhere. That’s why fitness enthusiasts love the kettlebell. You can workout every major muscle group at the same time. It’s a smarter workout and more efficient than simply isolating muscle groups.
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