A kettlebell is not a cooking pot that will create a clear tone or ringing sound when banged against the stove.  A kettlebell is basically a hand-held gym.  Comprised of an iron base and shaped like a mini-cannon ball with a solid, rounded handle attached to the top, this incredibly effective piece of fitness training equipment just looks like a kettle, hence the name.

Kettlebells have experienced a recent surge into mainstream fitness workouts with many celebrities and trainers using them, yet they have actually been around for centuries. It is believed that they originated in Greece and have been used extensively in Russia for many years, producing a new athletic game called Kettleball Sport.  Kettlebell Sport requires athletes to possess extreme strength, mental toughness and great endurance, making it one of the toughest sports to participate in.  Kettlebell training requires a person to focus on whole body fitness because lifting and controlling a kettlebell forces the entire body to engage in the workout using multiple muscle groups at once, specifically the core muscles, building both strength and stability at the same time.

When training with kettlebells it is important to start slow and easy because when used incorrectly, kettlebells can cause some pretty bad injuries.  The biggest mistake for beginners is lifting a heavy kettlebell before they can control it, resulting in injuries to the joints, most particularly the neck, back and spine.  Unlike using conventional dumbbell training, when a kettlebell is swung, pushed, snatched, jerked, pulled or pressed, the unique kettlebell shape will cause the user’s body to absorb the weighted momentum, delivering an explosive force and training the body to use its full elastic potential.

Rehabmart can help people reach their full elastic potential by offering the Body-Solid Kettlebell Weights.  Either in the home or health club, housewives, CEO’s, movie stars, and athletes can work out with kettlebells to help them achieve a stronger and healthier body.  When using these ‘cannonballs with handles’, they can produce impressive muscle and strength gains in the hips, legs, and shoulders while also improving body balance and leverage.  With squats, clean and jerks, snatches, throws, rotational swings and other exercises, the Body-Solid Kettlebells can help the user to achieve better endurance, enhanced core strength, general body strength and body shaping with every workout.  Available in 5 pound increments, starting at 5 pound weights and going up to a 75 pound kettlebell, these tough cast iron, black enamel-finish kettlebells can provide a steady progression to the intensity of any workout.

For a more colorful workout, the Premium Vinyl Kettlebell 8 Pound to 15 Pound Set is a great addition for the home or office.  Guaranteed to be one of the most durable kettlebells on the market, the vinyl-coated kettlebells will protect both the kettlebells and the workout surface.  The smooth two-inch diameter handle will offer a secure and comfortable grip during the fitness routine.

There is one similarity between dumbbells, or free weights, and kettlebells.  When left on the floor after the workout, there is a good chance that during the night, or in a rush to get ready for work or play, a person will painfully stub his or her toe on the weights.  Instead of racking up a toe or foot, why not just rack up the kettlebells on a storage rack?  The two-tiered Dumbbell and Kettlebell Rack can hold either dumbbells or kettlebells and can be placed either against the wall or in the center of the room to help keep the workout space safe and clutter-free.  This rack is made from a heavy-gauge steel and welded on all four sides and deburred both inside and outside of the rack for weight security and user safety.

The three-tiered Kettlebell Weight Storage Rack can hold up to 20 kettlebell weights.  Designed for smaller kettlebells, this grey powder- coated rack is easy to assemble and will hold up to 250 pounds of weight. This storage rack is another great solution for placing the kettlebells up and out of the way, and to help prevent foot pain in the future.

In the older cartoons, a kettlebell might have been Bugs Bunny hitting Elmer Fudd on the side of the head with a big kettle pot, producing a vibrating head accompanied with a ringing bell sound. Today, a kettlebell is a tool for an incredible workout for core strength, body balance, endurance, body shaping, cardio workout, and all around better health.  Try something new that has been around for hundreds of years and get in great shape!

Bill Stock
Executive Editor,
Content & Social Media Services
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO