Weight loss - Kettlebell training is intense, when done correctly. Work up to five minutes of snatches, doing as many reps as you can, and you’ll kick your metabolism into gear, lose weight, gain strength, and improve your wind. That means, next time you’re chasing your boss done in the office, you’ll catch him.
Develop several attributes at once - People are in the habit of separating their training – cardio, strength, flexibility – all kept separate. Combine them for more effectiveness. Kettlebell windmills improve your shoulder and hamstring flexibility while improving strength in the same areas. Snatches give you better cardio than 30 minutes on the treadmill ever will—and they strengthen your back, hamstrings, shoulders, biceps, forearms, neck, and hands.
Have a handheld gym – You can take your kettlebell anywhere. If you want to work out at a park and get some sun at the same time, now you can! Try that with your barbell or your treadmill.
Develop strength where it counts – Kettlebells work the entire backside of the body. This is the area most neglected by nearly everyone. People like to train the front of the body because that is what people see. But the back of the body is the foundation for your power and strength. I’m not saying you have to have bulging muscles, but more strength and power in the back of your body means you can move your couch without worrying about being laid up for a week and having to see the chiropractor.
Forget about isolation, try integration – Kettlebells don’t isolate your muscles—they integrate them. Instead of doing three different shoulder exercises and several different tricep exercises, do the kettlebell military press. It helps to engage more muscles than a regular dumbbell.
Develop hand strength – Hand strength is important for so many reasons. One, you’ll be able to get those jars open more easily. Two, you won’t give weak handshakes. Three, strong hands make you stronger all over. I’m not saying you have to have strong hands for some vainglorious attempt at manhood, but that it’s far preferable to having weak hands and traditional exercises barely scratch the surface of hand strength.
Exercise in less time – Kettlebells help you move seamlessly between exercises that work several different muscles and several different aspects of fitness at once. The result is you get in shape faster.
Top 7 Reasons to Get a Kettlebell
by Justin Qualler on June 18, 2009
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