The top 5 benefits of kettlebell training

23 Jul The top 5 benefits of kettlebell training

Kettlebell training seems to be all the rage at the moment but would you believe kettlebell training started in Russia around 300 years ago! Today kettlebells are becoming more and more popular and have become an important part of a training routine. To discover the great benefits of kettlebell training, read on.

1. Functional training

You hear this term thrown all over the place but functional training is nothing new. It is basically those exercises that work the same muscles that you use in every day moves (such as sitting down, picking up clothes from the floor, gardening, carrying the grocery bags and so forth).

While a lot of machines and certain exercises train our muscles individually or in isolation, kettlebell exercises train your body as a whole using many muscles groups together – just like in real life. As a result, we are able to perform day to day tasks with less chance of injury and with greater strength (which means you can carry more shoes and clothes when you hit the shops).

2. Something different

It is easy to get bored with the repetitive nature of using just dumbbells and barbells. Kettlebells provides something different and unique. And because it is something different, it will shock the body a bit more too. Your body soon adapts to doing the same things week in and week out so by doing something different, it will create change faster.

3. Cardio and strength

I have always said you need to do cardio training to feel good and strength training to look good. With kettlebell training, you get the best of both worlds. Just the simple kettlebell swing not only works your hips, hamstrings, butt, arms and shoulders but  because you are working multiple muscles in your body at the same time, your heart is going to skyrocket too (and that is great for burning calories and torching fat).

4. Works the whole body

This is a great one, pretty much all kettlebell moves work so many muscles at the same time.  Also you tend to have to focus a bit more on what you are doing so it works the brain too. More muscles working at the same time means a more efficient workout and saves you a lot of time (they say a 20-minute kettlebell workout can provide better results than most 60 minute training sessions).

5. Great for the core

One thing to be aware of is that a kettlebell weight is off-centre. This makes your core and grip work a lot harder than it would with standard weights which really helps you build more stability and strength in your midsection.

Kettlebell training strengthens your entire posterior chain (back, hamstrings and butt). A stronger posterior chain helps you keep your shoulders pulled back, with a neutral spine. This is our body’s natural position and reduces the risk of injury which will greatly lessen the chance of developing back pain in the future.