Author Topic: Kettlebell question (Read 3490 times)

drkaje · « **on:** May 04, 2009, 10:49:51 AM »

Is there any real difference between brands?

The Coach · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2009, 11:39:09 AM »

Quote from: drkaje on May 04, 2009, 10:49:51 AM

Is there any real difference between brands?

I only use one brand, Appollo

drkaje · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2009, 11:50:33 AM »

Quote from: The Coach on May 04, 2009, 11:39:09 AM

I only use one brand, Appollo

Trying to figure out what size/brand to start with. May try a 12KG first.

BB · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2009, 10:02:16 PM »

Go look at the Dragon Door models and buy one of those or in that style. You'll see others that get universally bad reviews like the ironwoody or NYBB brand, or are poorly cast. If you're much cheaper on a new KB than the Dragon Door models I'd be suspect.

A 12kg. KB is very light. I'd go maybe one or two sizes lighter than close to what you can 1 arm shoulder press, unless it's for high, high rep conditioning work.

drkaje · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2009, 10:05:30 AM »

Quote from: BB on May 04, 2009, 10:02:16 PM

Go look at the Dragon Door models and buy one of those or in that style. You'll see others that get universally bad reviews like the ironwoody or NYBB brand, or are poorly cast. If you're much cheaper on a new KB than the Dragon Door models I'd be suspect.

A 12kg. KB is very light. I'd go maybe one or two sizes lighter than close to what you can 1 arm shoulder press, unless it's for high, high rep conditioning work.

Tried one today and 12Kg was too light so I'll go to the next size. Place was 'Play it again Sports' who of course had 12kg made by Apollo but all the heavier sizes were made by Cap which has different handles. All the local places are overpriced but shipping on stuff like that is pretty expensive.

The Coach · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2009, 06:05:05 PM »

Quote from: drkaje on May 05, 2009, 10:05:30 AM

Tried one today and 12Kg was too light so I'll go to the next size. Place was 'Play it again Sports' who of course had 12kg made by Apollo but all the heavier sizes were made by Cap which has different handles. All the local places are overpriced but shipping on stuff like that is pretty expensive.

Thats where I got mine.

drkaje · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:12:37 PM »

GF got a 4Kg one and my 16kg showed up today from uskettlebell.

Geo · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2009, 04:01:50 PM »

Quote from: drkaje on May 04, 2009, 10:49:51 AM

Is there any real difference between brands?

some of the cheaper brands have been known to break...

drkaje · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2009, 09:21:43 AM »

Quote from: Geo on May 11, 2009, 04:01:50 PM

some of the cheaper brands have been known to break...

I'm really pretty happy with the US Kettlebell so far. A fair price and delivery/processing was exactly as promised.

Punch http://www.artofstrength.com/ are manufactured in the USA so I may go with them next time.

Shipping is where every manufacturer kills you. I would really go with a Dragon Door if they were a little more competitive but kettlebells are an item you really have to swing and have in hand to like/dislike. Great thing about Dragon Door is they have a one year unconditional warranty.

It'll be a while before graduating, especially considering I can only do three getups with 16Kg right now.

MisterMagoo · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2009, 09:51:48 AM »

really a KB is a hunk of iron with a handle on it. it's hard to fuck it up, design-wise.

careful with those things, by the way. i was doing snatches with the 2 pood a while ago and when it flipped up and over my hand it thunked into my forearm and nearly threw my shoulder out of socket.

drkaje · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2009, 10:36:49 AM »

Quote from: MisterMagoo on May 13, 2009, 09:51:48 AM

really a KB is a hunk of iron with a handle on it. it's hard to fuck it up, design-wise.

careful with those things, by the way. i was doing snatches with the 2 pood a while ago and when it flipped up and over my hand it thunked into my forearm and nearly threw my shoulder out of socket.

Yes and no. Some companies have better balance and their kettlebells are one piece instead of welded on handles.

It'll be a while before I'm snatching 2 pood.

Odd as it may read, I do feel a little better after having done more core stuff the last 6 weeks and going without the belt. My weight hasn't changed but I'm a little leaner.

mademan80 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2009, 05:26:13 PM »

i dont want to sound stupid by asking but what is a kettle ball?? im sure if i saw one i would know what it is but i've never heard kettle ball before

drkaje · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2009, 06:50:47 PM »

Quote from: mademan80 on May 21, 2009, 05:26:13 PM

i dont want to sound stupid by asking but what is a kettle ball?? im sure if i saw one i would know what it is but i've never heard kettle ball before

Pretty much a handheld gym.

My next one will be from Dragondoor.

MisterMagoo · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2009, 07:32:56 PM »

Quote from: drkaje on May 13, 2009, 10:36:49 AM

Yes and no. Some companies have better balance and their kettlebells are one piece instead of welded on handles.

It'll be a while before I'm snatching 2 pood.

Odd as it may read, I do feel a little better after having done more core stuff the last 6 weeks and going without the belt. My weight hasn't changed but I'm a little leaner.

i got a set myself and man i'm glad i did. i have a 35/50/70 (yeah slightly off on the "pood" chart but these were cheaper). i spent about a half hour yesterday doing swings/whirls/snatches/etc and felt like a million bucks afterward. definitely going to be a part of my non-lifting days.

jpm101 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2009, 09:27:44 AM »

Question: What would be the advantage be of using a Kettlebell over a regular DB, in the exact same workout?

The DB was designed as an improvement over the old style KettleBell (solid or shot loaded), so what would be the current pubic attraction to KettlBells? Seems to be more stress on the wrist/joints because of the handle position. Plus the globe it's self.

To be honest, I have never used a KettleBell, though I have watched a few KettleBell workouts. So if anyone would care to offer some information, please go right ahead.

Montague · « **Reply #15 on:** May 22, 2009, 04:33:36 PM »

Quote from: jpm101 on May 22, 2009, 09:27:44 AM

...so what would be the current pubic attraction to KettlBells?

Beats me…
Nobody ever stares at my crotch when I’m using them.

Seriously, I think it’s the new “trendy” thing to do.
It’s something ~~recycled~~ new/different, and somehow makes people think they’re superior to the conventional stuff.
Perhaps good to use sporadically to combat monotony and stagnation.

I’m sure some people believe that because they’re more difficult to use, they must be more effective.
Some personal trainers probably hope that’s the impression their clients have, thus validating the necessity for a trainer/coach to instruct them.

Regardless, it's better than a lot of other fads that have popped up over the years...

Those never get old.

jpm101 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 22, 2009, 05:21:07 PM »

Maybe it's the allure of the KettleBell's having recently come out of the old Soviet Union and somehow Russian training methods and equipment are better than any thing else (not by a long shot). Or people just looking for new exercise toys, when actually the common DB might be better for most. Handling & balance for one. KettleBell's (shot/solid) have been around for over 100 years and might be considered the grandfather of the modern DB.

Montague may be right about the trendy idea, Americans are in love with things like that. After the craze of the Kettlebell dies down, they will go and spend money on to something new. Maybe it will be the hydro weight machines, isometrics with the rope and foot straps or old fashion cable stretching. Actually those three methods are not that bad for training, at all.

Surprise that some guy's, that post on GB, have not spoken up about their KettleBell training experience and workout protocol. They are spending money on them and buying books and video's, that's serious enough. KettleBell's can be good tools, just wonder how some might fair with the KettleBell vs DB workouts. Good Luck.

JUSTJAXX · « **Reply #17 on:** May 23, 2009, 04:36:34 AM »

the country seems to have jumped on the trend because hollywood is all over them, pick up US magazine and every other issue mentions what celeb is using "this hot new tool" to get in shape. KB's wont get you big and muscular but they'll get you strong and conditioned, excellent for overall body functional strength, core training and insane cardio. I went 2 steps further than the average person using KB's, first I got myself RKC certified and if you guys never heard of or know of this, its pretty much the only certification that has a hands on approach. we spent three days going over techniques, drills, workouts and had to pass strength tests as well...as opposed to my personal training cert that was pretty much a book and online test. and second, I started my own company selling them...pretty much just in my local area for now until I get better shipping options set up.

currently, I'm working with a few amateur mma and muay thai fighters and they all consider the kettlebells a vital part of the pre-fight conditioning...all my guys are faster and stronger than they've ever been, without adding any size...along with improved cardio. try doing a 5-minute set of snatches with even a 35lb kettlebell and see what real conditioning is all about. for my RKC testing, I had to use a 53lb bell and do 64 reps within 5 mins

the varations between brands will be slight but you really need to pay attention to things like the width of the handle (gill athletics are so narrow you cant do 2 handed swings), the shape of the handle (iron woody bells have a squared handle) and the overall size (pro grade kb's are all the same size, regardless of the weight)

drkaje · « **Reply #18 on:** May 23, 2009, 04:53:17 AM »

I still lift but do the kettlebell on alternate days for improving functional strength and cardio capacity.

Geo · « **Reply #19 on:** May 23, 2009, 06:48:50 AM »

kettle bells are for people who like the idea of having balls swinging right above their heads...

burn2live · « **Reply #20 on:** May 23, 2009, 07:17:09 AM »

Quote from: MisterMagoo on May 13, 2009, 09:51:48 AM

really a KB is a hunk of iron with a handle on it. it's hard to fuck it up, design-wise.

careful with those things, by the way. i was doing snatches with the 2 pood a while ago and when it flipped up and over my hand it thunked into my forearm and nearly threw my shoulder out of socket.

When doing swings with them I hold the handle to the side which my gripping hand is on. ie to the right side of handle if I'm doing right handed swings. Then as I swing it up it sort of swings around the outside of my wrist, rather than coming directly over the top and thumping the back of my forearm. Hard to explain $:-\$

JUSTJAXX · « **Reply #21 on:** May 23, 2009, 04:49:45 PM »

Quote from: burn2live on May 23, 2009, 07:17:09 AM

When doing swings with them I hold the handle to the side which my gripping hand is on. ie to the right side of handle if I'm doing right handed swings. Then as I swing it up it sort of swings around the outside of my wrist, rather than coming directly over the top and thumping the back of my forearm. Hard to explain $:-\$

if you're sticking the ending properly and "punching" up correctly, you wont be banging the forearm at all, with a little bit of experience and the right timing, you'll exert just the right amount of force to get the bell up and time out the "punch" at the end to get it up and over without any probs

Cap · « **Reply #22 on:** May 23, 2009, 08:02:47 PM »

Quote from: jpm101 on May 22, 2009, 05:21:07 PM

Maybe it's the allure of the KettleBell's having recently come out of the old Soviet Union and somehow Russian training methods and equipment are better than any thing else (not by a long shot). Or people just looking for new exercise toys, when actually the common DB might be better for most. Handling & balance for one. KettleBell's (shot/solid) have been around for over 100 years and might be considered the grandfather of the modern DB.

Montague may be right about the trendy idea, Americans are in love with things like that. After the craze of the Kettlebell dies down, they will go and spend money on to something new. Maybe it will be the hydro weight machines, isometrics with the rope and foot straps or old fashion cable stretching. Actually those three methods are not that bad for training, at all.

Surprise that some guy's, that post on GB, have not spoken up about their KettleBell training experience and workout protocol. They are spending money on them and buying books and video's, that's serious enough. KettleBell's can be good tools, just wonder how some might fair with the KettleBell vs DB workouts. Good Luck.

Ditto. I do KB work with DBs and it works just fine. One arm cleans, snatches, swings, etc. All can be done with a DB.

ngm21084 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 24, 2009, 07:06:39 AM »

yea im with cap and jt ive done snatches cleans and swings with db i have never even put my hand on a kb for more then about 5 seconds then put it down and grabbed a db as they are for me alot easier on my wrists.....nothing against it but as i think it was jt said db are supposed to be the modern day kb so to speak..but you can perform all movements with just as much efffectiveness i think....

mass 04 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 24, 2009, 01:40:44 PM »

I've done renegade rows with kettleballs, they are kiler I did them tabat stylem I almost stroked out