Thoughts on Kettlebells(Runningart2004??)

I think it be good for runners, check these websites out

http://www.artofstrength.com/

and

http://www.irontamer.com/

Medicine balls. 14 pounders. Throw it against a wall sideways, overhead, basketball chest pass style, and shot put style.

You don't hear about them because of the dogmatic "just run" mantra that is pervasive in the running community. Another reason is they are relatively old and therefore harder to captialize on. You can get a great workout with just your body. Adding in stuff is even better and can offer more fun, variety, and challenge. There is so much information out there. I respect the concept of overtraining but that aside working out is good! Grab a kettleball, medicine ball, some weights.... Really anything and go at it!

I am a runner and I recently completed the AOS Kettlebell certification class in April (I am a trainer and am pursuing a PhD in Exercise Physiology, have a M.S. and B.S. in the area as well and ran XC and track in college). Kettlebells are a great addition to running. I have always performed regular strength training even with strength and conditioning coaches in college. It was helpful but I still have certain muscle imbalances from running and life in general. Kettlebells are a great way to remedy these imbalances as if you use them properly i.e. enough weight, it forces you to use muscles correctly, otherwise you won't be able to perform the movement. Additionally, Kettlebells focus on strengthening the posterior chain (glutes, hams, lats) which is awesome for anterior chain dominant runners. Another great benefit is learning how to properly engage the lats and obliques to provide for a rock solid core and ensure proper posture and running mechanics i.e. getting away from the typical runners posture of rounded shoulders, forward head and anterior pelvic tilt. Do make sure that you receive proper training on how to use Kettlebells as many idiots out there think they know how but will just get people hurt. Look for those certified by AOS or RKC. Avoid any Crossfit people.

Use a cinder block instead. Cheaper and more effective.

Hey Peanut,

I don't have a AOS or RKC trainer anywhere in my area. I have a CorssFit gym but I'm not really interested in Corssfit.

How would I go about learning Kettlebells? I mean most of the movements I can learn on line, like swings, snatch etc.. but I want to learn how to progress with them and also how to intergrate them in with my running.

Are any of those DVD's on kettlebells any good?

These guys are good.

You probably don't hear about it much because they're completely set against standard things like bench press and others which have no function application.

How many other times will you lie down on your back to lift something off the ground? haha

There's probably a bit too much money already invested the Golds Gym world to replace huge machines, that work one or two muscles, with kettlebells, pullup bars and medicine balls.

They work great.

tunkcart wrote:

Use a cinder block instead. Cheaper and more effective.

Yes, in fact, I think "cement bags" are a big deal.

But back to the initial post, I've used Dragon Door Kettlebells and I will say, they are very nice,

But I'm not positive they are better than the FIT kind that Target sells which come in 5, 10, 15 and 20 pounds found at the stores.

What is good is a Kettlebell indeed, can be a "portable gym", do it anywhere. Do the kettlebell swings (between the legs in a football center position and swinging it up by standing up).

Testimonies would seem to have people that people say it has helped them with speed.

Should you decide it is for you, find the right weight. For all I know, you may be real strong and 35 pounds might do or you are the less strong type and a lower weight might help. It's best to dive in.

The benefit of the ones at Target or any other retailer is that Kettlebells are going to be expensive to buy including mail costs.

Some gyms are now stocking up on kettlebells.

A good all round workout.

Check out the site, I believe

also for interesting takes on things, not really to buy things from necessarily. It's interesting what that site and the blog say about these kinds of exercises as things like Kettlebells have been around over a hundred years.

In other words, send your money to Dragon Door. Watch out for these kinds of people. Sure, they have the experience but they also have a reason for trying to plug their products. The OP might consider even something like skipping/jumping rope.

The AOS DVD's are great. I believe the Clinic DVD breaks everything done so you can learn the move properly. From there, you can get Providence or maybe Enter the Kettlebell Workbook. There are many, many options.

Dragon Door is good as they promote the RKC and Pavel's stuff who is the leading expert in Kettlebells. As for the KB's sold at Target or the Fit ones, they probably are not heavy enough to do the moves properly. Also, those ones have been mainstreamed and the handle has been made wider to allow two handed movements but KB's were meant to be used in one hand except when doing the two handed swing.

Okay, but I think in most cases, the higher weights are for those who are trying to get stronger, 35 pounds and up.

This is a running forum. I'd like to see a track runner do a 35 lbs. Kettlebell with one arm!

If by "dogmatic" you mean "intelligent, rational, and wise" then I'd have to agree.

Buddy ballsack wrote:

You don't hear about them because of the dogmatic "just run" mantra that is pervasive in the running community. Another reason is they are relatively old and therefore harder to captialize on. You can get a great workout with just your body. Adding in stuff is even better and can offer more fun, variety, and challenge. There is so much information out there. I respect the concept of overtraining but that aside working out is good! Grab a kettleball, medicine ball, some weights.... Really anything and go at it!

hardset nipples wrote:

If by "dogmatic" you mean "intelligent, rational, and wise" then I'd have to agree.

well, not everyone here is hell-bent on maximizing their running performance. i, for example, accomplished all of my collegiate running goals, then didn't really feel the need to keep at it after that. i mean, i still run, but i didn't want to be chasing times for the rest of my life. add to that that graduating from college means no more rivalries and no more teammates, and for someone that'll never be elite, it seems like a lot of wasted effort.

that said, i (and people like me) are on this site because we love the sport. just like how coaches love the sport, even if they themselves don't "do" it. so, yeah, there's a place here for the discussion of topics beyond the "just run" mantra.

oh, and p.s. Alberto Salazar and John Cook are examples of very successful coaches who espouse a LOT more than "just run." with all the strength work their runners do, it wouldn't surprise me if kettlebells were involved in some capacity.

think harder wrote:

Alberto Salazar and John Cook are examples of very successful coaches

They are not, no matter what you'd like to assume.

think harder wrote:

graduating from college means no more rivalries

Nonsense, that's only true if you live as a hermit.

Lonlinessofalongdistancerunner wrote:

Okay, but I think in most cases, the higher weights are for those who are trying to get stronger, 35 pounds and up.

This is a running forum. I'd like to see a track runner do a 35 lbs. Kettlebell with one arm!

They have a google bot searching the net constantly and when something comes up that Kettlebells are mentioned, guys like Dragon Door come on to plug their wares. It's obvious. Long distance runners would rarely and likely never use a 35 lb. KB with one arm. That's more for bodybuilders or strong men. They didn't even read the original post, they are just plugging their goods. That's their right but there are a number of health gurus on the net who operate in that fashion. Be cautious.

Peanut,

Thanks for your advice on this.

One other questiion. I really only have the money to start off with one weight and a DVD. My plan was to sort of progress and invest more as I go(buy more bells etc..).

What would be a good weight to start with? I am 130 lb male runner and I have been doing mostly bodyweight/light dumbell stuff for about 5 years along with my running. THe stuff I have been doing is pretty basic- Pushups, pullups, rows, lunges etc...

My guess is the primary start up movements are the swings, snatch, turchish getup etc... I can probably swing a 35 lb weight without a problem. You think 35 lbs is a good starting weight?

Kettlebells are a great use of a good marketing tool...they are around just like BOSU balls are around...

To give insecure trainers who question their ability and confidence other crap tools to use to confuse the client so the client things they are actually doing something...:)

Actually, they are decent way to get in a dynamic form of high intensity cardio. I would use them along with Dumbbell Trusters at the end of a workout to give a client a good finish.

It isn't exaclty a great way to develop strength. Kettlebells have been around since the 1800s were used by circus performers as a "show of strength".

If want to get strong? Get under some iron.

The problem with KB swings is that people with no experience try too much weight, like a 35lb kb, and try to swing it with their shoulders instead of their hips. So you try too much weight and all of a sudden your shoulders are rolled over you hurt your back.

When strength training, stop thinking like a runner. Think about what strength actually is, then proceed.

Alan