As some background, I am a 40 year old fart who has done a lot strength training in the past, going to the gym all the time. At this point, I just want to be in shape and fend off encroaching old age. I hit the bag 4 days a week, throw around weights about as often (lunges, presses, light squats) and put in 100-150 miles on the bike (knees too shot to run much). As a cost cutting expense (I was spending $800 a year at the gym), I doing all my strength training in the back yard. I don't need much to get a good workout, a pull up bar, a place for push ups and a barbell. I am intrigued by some of the kettleball exercises I see, tho, and am thinking of purchasing some. Anybody want to share their experience or suggestions? Is it just another fad or have people gotten good results? And again, I am beyond my competitive years. I just want to be fit.
strong men have famously used kettlebells for the last 100 years but they went out of fashion and are only just being rediscovered. they are supposed to be good for a full body workout.
The kettlebell swing is a great for core strength and cardio I recently started going to some classes, like everything it's important to get the technique right. It definately does give you a good overall workout.
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I've become a recent convert after poo-pooing them as being a fad, and no different from dumbbells. Frankly, they're more fun to use, and lend themselves to more dynamic type activities; the handle allows a bit of a "swing" that spares the wrist, but you do need to be careful in use. If you don't have access to a live coach, I'm sure there are youtube tutorials out there that will fit the bill. Use them for swings, snatches, offset lunges and squats ... Hope this helps, spt