I will forever be in debt to the Russian people for vodka, pants sexily tucked into boots, and for the sake of this blog post, saving me from hours of exercise.
These wonderful folks have unlocked the secret to the most efficient workout tool I have ever found. This tool helps you to build muscle and do cardio at the same time. Pure GENIUS! No longer will you waste time wondering if you’re going to do weight-training or cardio first, you’ll be able to do them together. But wait! The positives don’t stop there friends! You can do this exercise in the privacy of your own home, whenever you want, don’t need a trainer or a gym, and it’s a one-time purchase. You can also use this tool as a paperweight! A weapon of self-defense! A door-stopper! It slices, it dices… Ok, that last one I’m kidding about.
What is this amazing exercise tool that seems too good to be true? Meet the mighty Kettlebell.
Kettlebells are the perfect way to burn fat, raise your heart-rate, build lean muscle, and increase your endurance. They workout your lungs and work your core, while being compact and easy to store in your home. You can use them as dumbells if you feel like targeting specific muscles.
The American Council on exercise has stated that Kettlebells can cause your body to burn up to 20 calories per minute. To put that into perspective, that’s equivalent to running a 6-minute-mile or skiing uphill at a frantic pace. I don’t know about y’all, but I have NEVER been able to run a six-minute-mile, nor would I want to. And, the torture of running does not simultaneously give you a total body muscle workout.
If you want to learn more about the history and science behind Kettlebells, here is an informative website for more in-depth reading: besthealthmag.ca.
Simply put, they are flipping awesome. In utilizing Kettlebells, you can drastically shorten your workout by working smarter, not harder or longer. You can break up marathon Netflix binges with quick five-minute Kettlebell workouts, or even use them while you’re sitting on your couch. It’s amazing how just a few swings of these bad boys will get your heart pumping out of your chest! Also, they make your butt look amahhhzing and you will look bad-ass swinging that little cannonball around.
I could go on and on about how awesome Kettlebells are, but I’d rather you get off your butt and start using them. You can purchase Kettlebells online or in fitness/sporting goods stores. The one I use is located here. I’ve found this brand to have the perfect handle to fit my hand. Sometimes Kettlebells have handles that are too small or thin and don’t leave enough room for me to get a good grip. You might also want to purchase some weight-lifting gloves in case your hands get sweaty. That way the Kettlebell won’t slip out of your hand and accidentally kill your cat. I started out with a 10 lb. and a 15 lb. and have worked my way up to 25 and 30 lbs.! My butt hasn’t been this happy since I swore off taco trucks.
Before starting your workout, check out some of these helpful videos to learn about form and get some workout ideas:
Some workout videos I enjoy:
