Kettlebell

Since its debut in the United States in the year 2000, athletes, celebrities, and fitness enthusiasts alike have been amazed by the effectiveness of a tiny iron ball with a U-shaped handle to shock their bodies and transform their workouts. A Kettlebell actually looks like a cute grandma purse. Don’t be fooled by the pretty colors and unique design; these Bells pack a punch like no other workout.

Traditionally, Kettlebell training has been used for “power lifting” types of training, which involve short bouts of stamina followed by a brief break before another set. Kettlebell training originated in Russia. In the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, the Russians swept most medals in the throwing events, including javelin, hammer, and discus throws. At the time, Russians were heavily training with Kettlebells. Case in point: Kettlebell training is very transferable to athletic performance! Originally, Kettlebells were measured in poods (one pood is approximately 35-pounds), and subjects used 1, 1.5, or 2 pood Kettlebells. Accordingly, short bouts followed by breaks are necessary if a person is swinging that kind of weight!

Brook Benten’s group fitness kettlebell workouts break with old tradition and take kettlebell training in a new direction. By reducing the recommended weight of the kettlebell, subjects become physically able to repeat explosive movements over a longer period of time, making it possible to create a highly effective cardiovascular workout. This transforms something that was traditionally anaerobic in nature to an excellent fat-burning workout.

Kettlebell: Butts & Gutts features a continuous 45-minute power endurance workout. This routine involves repeating bouts of all-out effort over and over again with no respite. Cardiopump Fusion features shorter kettlebell routines, but the movement is still tough and constant.

Cardiopump Fusion features Cardio Kettlebell, a 12-minute lower body focused kettlebell workout, and Kettlebell Crank, a 10-minute full-body kettlebell workout. A continuous kettlebell workout requires a solid aerobic base; participants who otherwise practice a sedentary lifestyle should perform the choreography in Brook Benten’s videos without a kettlebells to begin building a base.

Fitness professionals can learn about kettlebell training and get continuing education credits at Power Systems Total Training Seminars. Brook Benten will be presenting at the 2011 Total Training Seminars in Fort Worth, TX and Rosemont, IL. For more information, visit www.totaltrainingseminars.com.