Are you seeking to gain upper body strength through exercising? If so, there is a simple but effective piece of gym equipment that can assist you in your quest. It is called a kettlebell. It might look strange, but the way it is designed is to have an off-center balance of gravity. This allows you to swing it and move it around, using momentum for towards your advantage.
I came across this inspiring
kettlebell story from a gentlemen who desired getting back into shape. He recommend something called a Paleo diet to curb unhealthy eating habits. The real point I found interesting was how he described burning so many calories with kettlebells.
Can you really burn many calories quickly with kettlebells?
In his post, the gentleman (named Ryan), referenced a guide he found that compared some regular exercises to those exercise of the kettlebell variety. It was intriguing to learn that kettlebell exercises came out on top against more traditional exercises like that of an elliptical machine. Comparing against the same amount of time of course.
The catch is that the kettlebell exercises are by no means a walk in the park. It takes effort and consistency to see the advantage of kettlebells. However, if you stay true to this kettlebell workout routine, you should experience results very quickly. Ryan, mentioned his goal of losing weight. That wasn't my goal, but rather getting strength and increasing muscle mass.
After a couple months of exercising 3-5 times a week with kettlebells, I found myself considerably stronger in certain areas. Things that were heavy, now were easy to lift and move around. My legs did not feel fatigued as much during my daily walks. Also, in general, my mood was overall better. It is hard to describe, but in essence, I felt more at peace.
So how is it possible to increase your strength, lose weight, and feel better more quickly than regular exercising? It is all due to how kettlebells are used. When performing kettlebell exercises, you are doing many different motions and moves. You'll be activating and using muscles simultaneously, which makes for a challenging exercise. The reward is that you can reach your goal that much faster. If you tell me I can acheive my goal faster at the expense of working harder. I would go that route every time. I think most people would agree with that sentiment too.
Kettlebells in pop culture
It isn't just ordinary people benefiting from kettlebells. Celebrities have begun to incorporate kettlebell usage in their own exercise routines with great success. Check out
this video of Britney Spears using a kettlebell. Look how fit and toned her body is! She has drastically improved her physique even from just a few years ago.
Call it a kettlebell craze, but I don't believe this is some exercise fad. They've been around for some time now but have recently become popular in western culture. There is such a variety of different kettlebell exercises that it can be a daunting task to keep up with them all.
Fortunately, you don't have to spend a lot of money to purchase a kettlebell or set of kettlebells. They should be available for purchase at your local athletic store. I'm pleased with my results so far, and I think if you give them a legitimate shot you will be too!
