Kettlebells

[Jenny]

Any advice? Friend and I signed up for a six week better-be-for-beginners class. Sounds like we need to provide our own equipment, and they recommend either a 5lb or 10lb weight. I found a two-pack at STP for pretty cheap, and my cousin who competes in this stuff said they should be fine for what we're doing. I just wondered what others' experiences might have been.

 

[santacruz skier]

Advice is be very careful when swinging kettlebells as I threw my back out a few years ago, and this is while working with a personal trainer. I still work with a personal trainer (once a week for the last 7 years) but no longer do "kettlebell swings."

 

[snoWYmonkey]

In my kettle bell classes we use up to 4 different weights in one class and about every 2 to 4 weeks increase the weight. Is this what they suggest? If they haven't I would reach out to the coaches.

As Santa Cruz skier mentioned it is easy to get hurt with weights. I got hurt on a boss ball....but still ended with my own. Also got hurt on one of the fully round balls. Then again also got hurt on the floor in one class. Maybe it is me?

 

[santacruz skier]

Sumo squats with one kettlebell is a really good work out. Tighten your core and glutes and should be good.

 

[Jenny]

@santacruz skier - Back is what I'm most concerned with, which is why I didn’t want to try these until I had some supervision. I’m really hoping they stress technique. But I know nothing about the class structure or what to expect. I figure I know enough about my body to recognize when something could be problematic, and I’m certainly good at asking questions.

 

[Jenny]

I got hurt on a boss ball....but still ended with my own. Also got hurt on one of the fully round balls. Then again also got hurt on the floor in one class. Maybe it is me?

There does seem to be a pattern, lol!

 

[edelweissmaedl]

I’ve not taken a kettlebell specific class, but use kettlebells in circuit training classes often. If you are starting out with 5-10 bells you should be safe. There are a lot of ways to use kettlebells without swinging them too, so that could be a cool class. Just know your limits like with any fitness endeavors.