As a former completive bodybuilder, yes another life time ago in the early eighties I was a runner up at the Mr. Miami and Junior Mr. Florida bodybuilding championships, what comes to this former bodybuilders mind when he thinks of the origins of physical culture is a huge mustache muscle man lifting a super heavy kettlebell. Trust me there was bodybuilding before Arnold the governor and action star.
A Kettlebell is made from iron cast with a U shaped handle. Some people describe it as a cannon ball or Micky Mouse looking weight. Kettlebells are very compact and come in different weights which make it an ideal workout piece of equipment for men and women. The Kettlebell is Russia's National sport and it is said to have originated in Russia many years ago. It is a functional workout tool working the entire body aerobically and anaerobically.
Kettlebells have been used by the Speztnaz the Russian Special Forces, Military and Russian Athletes. This was one of the secrets and advantages that the former Soviet Union used to dominate world athletics and the Olympics. It is speculated that kettlebells were used as far back as in the Roman Empire by gladiators.
Today they are currently being used by Athletes, martial artist, movie stars, SWAT teams and the military here in america and world wide. Trainers to the stars have been using kettlebells to train their clients for a few years now. Sly Stallone, Penelope Cruz and Lance Armstrong are known to train with Kettlebells.
Kettlebells are lifted by using natural momentum with proper posture and alignment. Kettlebell training will give you a low impact aerobic and anaerobic functional workout.They can also be used to strengthen injured body parts and rehabilitation.
A studies done in Russian compared Kettlebells against specific forms of conditioning. They were divided into two groups. One group practiced the testing protocol of push ups, pull ups, a run, a sprint, etc. The other group lifted Kettlebells. In spite of no rehearsal of the testing protocol, the Kettlebell group actually posted better scores in the events!
I have been training teaching and was certified as a kettlebell instructor 10 years ago when most people had not even heard of the word kettlebell. Today, I see kettlebells everywhere. Yet, as a kettlebell instructor I’m horrified with what I see in gyms, boxes and fitness centers. I have seen trainers having their clients lift paperweight style kettlebells imitating dumbbells moves. Kettlebells were not meant to be used as you would a dumbbell. Yet, the worse are the trainers having their clients swing and lift kettlebells with bad body posture, alignment and technique. I’ve even seen gym commercials and fitness TV shows with the trainers showing improper kettlebell technique. Improper kettlebell training can get you injured. Before training with kettlebells ask the trainer to show you his or her kettlebell certifications. A personal trainers, bootcamp or CrossFit certification alone does not qualify you as a kettlebell instructor. Kettlebells are extremely safe and productive under the guidance of a trained professional. After you learn proper alignment and technique you can then train in the privacy of your home or with a DVD.
The first Kettlebell certification course in Florida was hosted at my studio Anta's Fitness and Self Defense in November 2004. I was certified as Kettlebell trainer by Kettlebell Concepts of New York. Later I hosted the first HKC kettlebell certification which I was certified in and I was also certified as a ECA (Elite Combat Fitness) Kettlebell and in Action Strength Kettlebell instructor.
Checkout my website MiamiKettlebell.com. Read more about kettlebell training in my book Anta's Ageless Warrior Fitness. You can get a copy of it at through this link MiamiKettlebell.com/store.
If you live in the Miami, Doral area in Florida and would like to learn more about kettlebell training call us at 305 599-3649 or come by the center. We would be more than happy to let you tryout the Kettlebell Challenge and remember “What's Old is New Again!”
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