Kettlebell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The kettlebell or girya (Russian: гиря) is a cast iron weight looking somewhat like a cannonball with a handle. The kettlebell has become a popular exercise tool in the United States due largely to the efforts of strength and flexibility coach Pavel Tsatsouline and also by Girevoy Sport world champion and world record holder Valery Fedorenko. Many companies produce their own brands of kettlebells and kettlebell exercise programs. Some modern kettlebells feature adjustable weights. Kettlebell workouts are intended to increase strength, endurance, agility and balance, challenging both the muscular and cardiovascular system with dynamic, total-body movements[citation needed].
Kettlebell lifting has been nationally recognized and played throughout the world for decades, and its competitive exercises are the 'Two Kettlebell Jerk' and 'One Kettlebell Snatch'; performed in that order for ten minutes each. The competitor with the highest overall score wins.
In recent years, kettlebells have become popular among athletes, especially mixed martial artists and those in the entertainment community[citation needed].
Kettlebells are purported to help athletes break through ruts/plateaus, and get their 'core' in top shape[citation needed].
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[edit] Common Kettlebell Lifts
[edit] Kettlebell Swing
This conditioning movemement is performed either one-handed or two-handed. The kettlebell swings at arm's length from between the legs to approximately head-level, with the legs, hips, and lower back providing the motive force.
[edit] Kettlebell Snatch
Similar to a traditional snatch, the weight moves from a lower position to over the head with the arm extended.
[edit] Kettlebell Jerk
A competition lift, like the kettlebell snatch, this lift culminates with the weight overhead at arms' length.
[edit] Detractors
Kettlebell detractors claim that traditional weight training methodologies are superior to recent developments in kettlebell lifting. They say kettlebells are inferior to dumbbells, from the point of view of strength trainers who need a safe, ergonomically-designed and easily-adjustable tool, and the supposed benefits of kettlebell lifting are more easily and safely achieved with dumbbells.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Kettlebells: An Antidote to the Hype". http://ejmas.com/pt/ptart_brennan_0103.htm. Retrieved on 2009-05-11.
