This weekend I was reading up on kettlebells and watching various kb routines on video. I thought, "Now this looks like an excellent way to do cardio" (I'm not doing any cardio at the moment) and thought that I might buy one. Then I saw the OUTRAGEOUS price - $90 for a 35 lb (16k) kettlebell! After I saw that I started thinking a little more rationally and began to wonder - is there anything you can do with a kettlebell that you can't do with a regular old dumbell? Is this just another fad? There are some very good kettlebell routines out there, but I have yet to see anything that you could not do using a dumbell. I'm I missing something?
Kettlebells anyone?
- Thread starter EL_VIEJO
- Start date
QuantumPositron
New Member
Fad.
The kettlebell is versatile and has some options and, because its new and its different, it can be fun. I don't want to write them off completely because I think there is some value in them as a strength or cardio tool, but I'm not convinced of kettlebells being superior to anything that exists already. For someone who wants to do cardio with resistance, just do 20+ rep squats. Nothing could get you equally jacked in less time. Come tell me otherwise kettlebell people.
The price is egregious. Part of it is the price of metals no doubt, but I wouldn't pay for them unless there was strong evidence for their superiority in developing a trait I desired.
The kettlebell is versatile and has some options and, because its new and its different, it can be fun. I don't want to write them off completely because I think there is some value in them as a strength or cardio tool, but I'm not convinced of kettlebells being superior to anything that exists already. For someone who wants to do cardio with resistance, just do 20+ rep squats. Nothing could get you equally jacked in less time. Come tell me otherwise kettlebell people.
The price is egregious. Part of it is the price of metals no doubt, but I wouldn't pay for them unless there was strong evidence for their superiority in developing a trait I desired.
the_dark_master
New Member
DB's are nothing like KB's.
the_dark_master
New Member
You really have to try them out yourself (unlike DB's the weight is offset from the grip)
I suggest you guys do some research, kettlebells aren't new, they are there for hundreds of years and have been mainly used by Russian strongmen.
Their workouts are intense, improves greatly body compositions and are known to strenghten the joints, grip, wrist and significant hypertrophy of the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
Here is a bodybuilding's forum, kettlebell isn't really to bodybuilder, so if you are mainly into looks, kettlebell really is inferior to barbells.
Their workouts are intense, improves greatly body compositions and are known to strenghten the joints, grip, wrist and significant hypertrophy of the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
Here is a bodybuilding's forum, kettlebell isn't really to bodybuilder, so if you are mainly into looks, kettlebell really is inferior to barbells.
_tim
Well-Known Member
I don't have direct experience with the kettlebell, but I have a dear friend whose brother actually teaches the finer points of using it. He went from being a tad overweight to being a tad under 12% bodyfat with noticeable muscle definition as a 52 year-old man in about 4 months time - using the kettlebell as his only form of exercise. I think the guy still drinks a decent amount of beer too - making this a fairly compelling argument.
Honestly el_viejo, if you have an interest, I'd check 'em out as lots of folks swear by 'em and get very impressive results.
Honestly el_viejo, if you have an interest, I'd check 'em out as lots of folks swear by 'em and get very impressive results.
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(_tim @ Mar. 13 2008,10:44)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">Honestly el_viejo, if you have an interest, I'd check 'em out as lots of folks swear by 'em and get very impressive results.</div>
I was very enthusiastic about trying them until I saw the price.
(_tim @ Mar. 13 2008,10:44)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">Honestly el_viejo, if you have an interest, I'd check 'em out as lots of folks swear by 'em and get very impressive results.</div>
I was very enthusiastic about trying them until I saw the price.
Kettleballs are so amazing, they even cured my cancer.
Haha. Just joking.
Anyway, there is a fairly easy and inexpensive way to rig up something fairly similar to a kettleball using regular weights and some random stuff. I can't remember the link right now, I bet Dark Master knows the site I'm referring to though, since I'm pretty sure I found that place from a link he posted once. If I dig it up later, I'll post it. I don't know if the solution they gave is as good as a kettleball, but it looks decent and it's cheap.
Haha. Just joking.
Anyway, there is a fairly easy and inexpensive way to rig up something fairly similar to a kettleball using regular weights and some random stuff. I can't remember the link right now, I bet Dark Master knows the site I'm referring to though, since I'm pretty sure I found that place from a link he posted once. If I dig it up later, I'll post it. I don't know if the solution they gave is as good as a kettleball, but it looks decent and it's cheap.
the_dark_master
New Member
Nice homemade effort here But these adjustable jobbies would not be as safe as the cast un's. Another disadvantage or two would be you can't throw them nor can you pick them up by the "side horn" ie where the handle meets the 'ball'
I've got a 12 & a 20kg KB, I know that I couldn't be bothered to swap plates around on an adjustable 'bell
I've got a 12 & a 20kg KB, I know that I couldn't be bothered to swap plates around on an adjustable 'bell
GothicSerpent
New Member
I'm using a kettlebell for cardio right now and I like it a lot. I get bored easily so the kettlebell is a nice change of pace in place of the barbell circuit training and HIIT that I do to drop some fat. Doing 12-15 minutes non-stop of swings, snatches, and cleans and presses will really make your body work. However, you're right about the high price. If you can fit them into your budget then I'd recommend them.
stevejones
Member
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(EL_VIEJO @ Mar. 10 2008,18:06)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">This weekend I was reading up on kettlebells and watching various kb routines on video. I thought, "Now this looks like an excellent way to do cardio" (I'm not doing any cardio at the moment) and thought that I might buy one. Then I saw the OUTRAGEOUS price - $90 for a 35 lb (16k) kettlebell! After I saw that I started thinking a little more rationally and began to wonder - is there anything you can do with a kettlebell that you can't do with a regular old dumbell? Is this just another fad? There are some very good kettlebell routines out there, but I have yet to see anything that you could not do using a dumbell. I'm I missing something?</div>
The purpose of cardio for most bbers is to lose bodyfat or maintain bodyfat. Do something that will keep your heart rate in your "zone", and is easy on the joints. I'd stay away from iron when doing cardio..you get enough of it in the gym.
(EL_VIEJO @ Mar. 10 2008,18:06)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">This weekend I was reading up on kettlebells and watching various kb routines on video. I thought, "Now this looks like an excellent way to do cardio" (I'm not doing any cardio at the moment) and thought that I might buy one. Then I saw the OUTRAGEOUS price - $90 for a 35 lb (16k) kettlebell! After I saw that I started thinking a little more rationally and began to wonder - is there anything you can do with a kettlebell that you can't do with a regular old dumbell? Is this just another fad? There are some very good kettlebell routines out there, but I have yet to see anything that you could not do using a dumbell. I'm I missing something?</div>
The purpose of cardio for most bbers is to lose bodyfat or maintain bodyfat. Do something that will keep your heart rate in your "zone", and is easy on the joints. I'd stay away from iron when doing cardio..you get enough of it in the gym.