The kettlebell has been around for a while. Dating back to Ancient Greece and used by the Shaolin monks of China as part of their elite training regimen, the modern kettlebell began to be used in athletic competitions in the late 19th Century.
Today, kettlebells are having a renaissance. Look online and you’ll find thousands of articles, references and exercises concerned with this compact, portable piece of exercise equipment.
This post is here to share with you the great benefits of kettlebell training, rapidly becoming a staple of contemporary fitness culture.
Endurance and strength
The movements associated with kettlebell use engage a wide range of muscles, including stabilizing muscles, due to the weight involved. While kettlebells come in various weights, even a light kettlebell improves strength in the arms, shoulders, back, core and legs.
Kettlebell swings demand complex engagement of muscle groups. Instead of working muscle groups in isolation, overall strength and endurance is fostered by the action of the kettlebell and the compound movement it provokes.
Efficiency
With the kettlebell, nobody can say they’re too busy to exercise. That’s because in 5 minutes, you can get a full body strength and cardio workout that’s efficient and fits into any schedule – even the busiest!
Compact and easy to store, you can keep a kettlebell anywhere you need to. Under your desk at work, in the car, or in the hall closet, kettlebells are convenient as well as incredibly efficient.
Burns fat
If you’re after a leaner look, then kettlebells are for you. And burning fat isn’t just about looking good. Fat – especially visceral or organ fat – holds toxins. Muscle doesn’t do that. The less fat you have on your body, the fewer toxins you’re storing.
Due to the dynamism and weight-bearing aspects of kettlebell training, your metabolism gets a boost, as you build muscle, which compounds the metabolic effect. The fat-burning facet of this type of training is extremely effective for this reason.
Back and core workout supreme
Strengthening your back and core are key goals in any fitness regime. You need your back to be strong and part of having a strong back is a fully supportive core.
Without overloading your back, the ballistic movement driven by the hips in kettlebell training engages key muscles in the lower back. And while you’re swinging that kettlebell, your core is engaged to stabilize the movement.
That means you’re doing something crucial for the protection of your spine because it needs a strong core to defend it against injury.
Now that you know a little about the great benefits of kettlebell training, remember that proper technique is required to get the most from this amazing fitness support. Find someone to guide you through the technical aspects of using a kettlebell and reap the many benefits!
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