The weight of the kettlebell has to be chosen carefully according to one's strength and fitness, which varies from person to person and men and women. Broadly, 8Kg-16Kg is considered to be appropriate weights from women and 16Kg-24Kg for men.Certain things to be considered while buying kettlebell:
- It should have a well finished curvy handle so it doesn't cut or hurt your hands. A curvy handle helps in good grip, without putting much stress on one's wrist.
- A flat base is important so that it doesn't tilt and sits firmly while training, making it easier to use.
- It should be well painted so it doesn't rust easily.
How to Perform Kettlebell Workouts
Here are few of the exercises a beginner can perform with kettlebell:
1. Kettlebell Swing
It's a good start since it's the foundation of ballistic exercise and because it later helps with other kettlebell exercises like goblet squads, deadlifts and other lifts. The swing targets one's hips, glutes, shoulders and legs. Stand tall with legs apart holding the kettlebell with both hands. Bend you knees a little and swing the tool with your back and arms absolutely straight.
2. Kettlebell Shoulder and Hip Halo
The simple rotation exercise that doesn't require a lot of movement targets your shoulder, biceps and arms. Stand with feet a little apart. Hold the kettlebell upside down by gripping the Ls of the handle or the horns of it tightly and revolve the kettlebell around your shoulder, from behind the head clockwise and anticlockwise. This is the shoulder halo. Then move the kettlebell around your hip without inverting it, by simply revolving it from one hand to the other slowly but continuously, which is the hip halo.
3. Single/Double Arm Row
Single or double arm row targets and tones the shoulder, arms and the back the most. It's one of the simplest and effective exercises as per trainers. Stand tall with feet slightly apart. Bend the knees just a little and pick up the kettlebell pulling it up near the stomach and hold, keeping elbow close to the body while doing so. The exercise can be performed with single equipment or two concurrently.
Read also : (5 Simple Exercises for Knee Pain Relief)
4. Push Press
This exercise will tone and build the huge traps (the portion of the body between your neck and shoulder) along with triceps, arms and shoulders. Place the kettlebell between the forearm and shoulder of one arm and push it up and straighten the arm. Repeat this 12-15 times for each arm for best results.
5. Kettlebell Goblet Squats
Stand with feet shoulder length apart. Hold the kettlebell either near the chest supporting it from underneath or hold the handle with both hands and arms stretched out at eye level. With the back straight, squat down to the floor bending your knees. Go as low as you can and come back up. The squats target the back, the leg and the glutes.
6. Deadlifts
Stand tall with feet apart, and the kettlebell at the centre. Bend down to hold the kettlebell handle with both hand and pull it up with extended arms and straight back. Deadlifts if done correctly will give you a flatter stomach and help build abs. They also target legs, arms, back and glutes.
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