Kettlebells: The Blend of Cardio and Strength Training

537 Words2 Pages

It’s incredible exercise.
When you swing kettlebells, your heart rate can come up as quick and as elevated as it would from any form of jump training, Libin Anderson explains. According to a study from the American Council on Exercise (ACE), you can even burn up 20 calories a minute, depending on how hard you’re working. That’s equivalent to (if not more than) what you might accomplish in a cardio class. Plus, these cast iron weights help solve the debate of “Do I do cardio or strength today?” With kettlebells, you get both.
It tends to be easier on the body.
Kettlebell routines generally flow from one exercise to the next similar to the vinyasa flows you might see in a yoga class. If done correctly, the smooth transitions make it feel more natural for your body to perform the steps. “There is nothing wrong with plyometrics at all, but if done incorrectly, jumping can sometimes break down the joints,” says Libin Anderson. “Kettlebells, because of the fluid swinging movement used to move them, they don’t affect the joints as much.”
It’s functional training.
What exactly does that mean? “Kettlebells are great conditioning tools for developing cardio respiratory and muscular endurance,” says Wittenstein. They …show more content…

“For males, I’d start with at least 25 pounds and no more than 45 or 55 pounds. And for women, a 15-pound bell or anywhere up to 35 or 40 pounds if you’re comfortable with a double-arm swing with that.” If you’re not sure the correct weight for you, simply hold one by the handle straight out in front of you with both arms parallel to the floor. If you can do that easily, it’s probably too light. The kettlebell should be too heavy to comfortably lift in front of you, says Anderson. Choose your weight and you don’t need anything else but your body to work out at home. “It’s also a great conversation starter sitting in the corner when you have guests over,” says Libin

More about Kettlebells: The Blend of Cardio and Strength Training

Open Document