Kettlebell

A one pood kettlebell

A barbell in the air and a kettlebell on the ground

The kettlebell or girya (Russian: гиря) is a traditional Russian cast iron weight looking somewhat like a cannonball with a handle. A favorite tool of the strongmen of old, the kettlebell has enjoyed a revival of late due largely to the efforts of strength and flexibility coach Pavel Tsatsouline and World Champion, World Record Holder Valery Fedorenko, with many companies now following suit, beginning to produce their own brands of kettlebells and kettlebell exercise programs. Much more recent adjustable kettlebell designs improve on the inherent tradeoffs and provide additional choices to people interested in kettlebell training.

Kettlebell workouts increase strength, endurance, agility and balance, challenging both the muscular and cardiovascular system with dynamic, total-body movements.

The sport of kettlebell lifting or girevoy has been nationally recognized and played in Russia 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.

People who lift the kettlebells are known as kettlebell men or gireviks in Russia.

See also

• Barbell
• Dumbbell

External links

• Videos of Kettlebell Exercises
• Kettlebell Training articles and workout examples
• Australian Kettlebells
• Description of Kettlebell Exercises
• Video Clips and an Introductory Article on Kettlebell Training
• Online kettlebell video training tips