FAQ

Q: Do I really need a Kettlebell instructor? How hard can it be?

A: Short answer, YES.

Kettlebell training is very dynamic by nature, and it is VERY important that you seek out some instruction from someone who really knows what they are doing. This will ensure injury prevention, but also ensure that you are getting the most out of your kettlebell training.

Q: Are Kettlebells the ultimate way to train

A: That depends on your goals. If you want to be a champion powerlifter (bench press, squat and deadlift) then you must perform those exercises with a barbell just like your competition. If you want to be a champion marathon runner then you need to get out and run. Barbells, dumbbells, bodyweight, sandbags, etc. all have advantages and disadvantages but in my opinion the kettlebell upstages all of them due to it’s diversity.

You can use a kettlebell to get strong, lean, tone, big, superior cardio conditioning, flexible, coordinated for sports, etc. Some of the kettlebell exercises are unique and some can be reproduced with other tools but nothing can beat the one-stop-shop-efficiency. Use of kettlebells can carry over to other coordinated events such as sports, running, jumping, even barbell and dumbbell training. They are portable and best of all… they are just plain fun to train with.

Q: What about Exercise machines?

A: Not all exercise ‘tools’ are created equal. While barbells, dumbbells, bodyweight, sandbags and certain other equipment is on the approved list; machines are almost always on the bad list. Why? Because any strength gained from machines does not effectively carry over to real world strength. You can leg press a ton but that doesn’t mean you will be strong enough to pick up your friend’s washing machine since you only worked your legs in ‘isolation’ before; but now you must use all of the muscles in your body in unison to lift real world 3D objects while standing on your own feet.

With kettlebell training all of your muscles have to know how to work together and with the assistance of stabilizer muscles and your core's strength. You don’t use stabilizer muscles with machines. The free flowing movements you do with kettlebells are much more organic, more fluid, more powerful, more skilled and more fun. Kettlebells make you move the way your body was designed to move.

Another draw back is that overuse injuries such as tendonitis are more common with machines since the path of the movement has no variation as it would if you were press a ‘free’ weight. Using machines often puts ‘more stress’ on your lower back than picking up a weight off of the floor! While the definition ‘machine’ could be any number of different pieces of equipment there are with few exceptions no machines worth even glancing at. Just say no to wimpy machines and lift like a strong man (or woman).

Q: Are Kettlebells dangerous?

A: ANY exercise is dangerous if you use poor form and don't get proper coaching; the same is true with barbells, pushups and even yes… exercise machines. Bottom line is that I have never heard of or experienced a single injury related to kettlebell use; you will not be the one statistic that makes me rewrite this paragraph. Having said that, you need to seek training from a ‘qualified’ instructor.

There are a lot of phony kettlebell instructors out there, frankly there are a lot of bad personal trainers out there. Make sure the trainer you choose has your health and safety in mind. They should not push you too hard or let you slack off too much. They should challenge you but only at a pace that you are ready for. If a trainer ever puts you in pain and tells you it is good or to just deal with it then find a different trainer.

Q: Will I get big with Kettlebells?

A: Only if you wish. Some people do not want to get big, in fact, most of you want to get smaller and that is your reason for seeking exercise. However, like any resistance training, if your program and nutrition are tailored to gain muscle size you certainly can achieve those types of goals with kettlebells.

By the way ladies, you will not get ‘big’ unless you take steroids and are incredibly disciplined with your training and nutrition; and I will not help you with steroids! Men find it hard enough to get big, this simply does not happen with women, unless you are making a concerted effort to reach that goal. Testosterone is the muscle building hormone you need to build muscle here, and men tend to have a lot of it and women don’t. So ladies, don’t panic, you will just get slimmer and more athletic.

Q: Can I lose bodyfat with Kettlebells

A: Let’s face it, who likes to spend an hour on the treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical machine? Boring! And it is also not nearly as effective to train that way as it is to do shorter, more intense and more fun, interval training. Interval training with kettlebells will shed the fat off of you, increase your heart’s strength to protect against heart disease and there are so many fun and creative workouts you can do, you will never get bored again!

A couple of interesting facts...

• 15 mins of elliptical training can burn around 50 to 125 calories*
• 15 mins of kettlebell training can burn around 300 calories

• 60 mins of elliptical training can burn around 250 to 450 calories*
• 60 mins of kettlebell training can burn up to 1,212 calories!!!!!

* Lower numbers on the elliptical machine come from a slow steady pace while the higher numbers come from intense intervals... of course no one can really do 60 mins of intense intervals.

Q: I’m new to exercise, can I use Kettlebells?

A: The key here is to get started. Everyone starts somewhere, and it may as well be here. Kettlebells use very natural movements that your body will quickly recognise, and all you need to do is take it at your own pace.

It is actually preferable that you train with kettlebells or something like them that is an awkward object because that is what you work with in real life when you pick up the groceries, the child seat, etc. Best to learn how to deal with real life as opposed to some fancy machine that makes your body build what I call "dumb muscles." Dumb muscles are muscles that you can't use in any real movements that life puts in front of us.

Ultimately it is not the kettlebell you should worry about, it is making sure you find a good fitness coach that can teach you how to get in shape without getting hurt in the process. Make sure you find a trainer, kettlebell instructor, fitness coach, etc. who treats you as an individual and allows you to make gradual progress with your fitness as your body allows.

Q: I heard bodyweight training was best for Martial Artists/Boxers/Wrestlers, is this true?

A: Bodyweight training can be very effective for sure but it has its limitations. There is simply no bodyweight drill that will simulate the effect of lifting a heavy weight off of the floor. And lifting a heavy weight off of the floor is what wrestlers do, not to mention the rest of us when we pick up groceries, help our friends move furniture, etc.

Q: I’m a bit lazy, are Kettlebells any good for me?

A: Well I can’t help you with lazy, if you want to rot away on the couch watching TV while life passes by that is your business. However, I think that perhaps you aren’t lazy; you just don’t have the right motivation. Motivation makes hard workers out of the laziest of all people. You must have a dream of ‘WHY’ you want to get in shape. If you can see your dream and it has a personal value to you, an emotion attached to it, then you will do what you need to do to get there. I can also almost guarantee that kettlebell exercise is just plain fun too. Give it a month and you will be hooked!

Q: I am lazy, like to complain and blame others for my problems; am I fit for your training?

A: Not on your life, go away! I only deal with people who respect themselves and others and am not interested in dealing with personal drama.

Q: I don’t have any time to workout, are kettlebells good for me?

A: Yes, and you do have time it just lies with your priorities. You will never 'find' time you have to 'make' time. With few exceptions I think most people could sacrifice 15 to 60 minutes of TV 3-5 days per week in order to feel and look better. If you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it work.

Q: I own Kettlebells, but I need some help on technique and training programmes. Where can I get help?

A: First off, Contact me. I will correct any technique flaws, assess your strengths and weaknesses and help you to reach your next goal(s). On a 1 to 1 basis I can design programmes for you and help you with your nutrition. Alternatively there are many different courses that cover many aspects of training. Take your pick.

Q: I want to look good, feel good and be otherwise awesome.... But I don’t have the motivation to exercise on my own. What do you recommend?

A: You are like 99% of people, congratulations you just found out that you are normal... Even if you aren't so normal in other ways but we won't talk about that. The fact is that most people do not do well exercising on their own, they need to be part of a support system and be around like-minded people for encouragement. We run regular courses to help people train.