{"id":6731,"date":"2018-11-15T07:41:09","date_gmt":"2018-11-15T07:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za\/?p=6731"},"modified":"2022-08-18T09:12:14","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T07:12:14","slug":"why-kettlebells-important-overall-fitness-regime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za\/personal-fitness-training-blog\/why-kettlebells-important-overall-fitness-regime\/","title":{"rendered":"Why are Kettlebells so Important in your Overall Fitness Regime?"},"content":{"rendered":"

They may be small and not look like much, however kettlebells provide a seriously good workout. The workout that they provide is so good that the military likes to use kettlebells as part of the fitness training given to their personnel. So why should you integrate the kettlebell into your regular workout routine? In this article, we\u2019ll tell you why.<\/p>\n

Reasons to add kettlebell training to your workout routine<\/h2>\n

You don\u2019t need a lot of equipment <\/strong><\/h2>\n

To get a very effective workout, you don\u2019t need a lot of fancy equipment in addition to the kettlebells. All you need is a kettlebell of the weight that you want to use and a good space surrounding you. This is so that you can freely move the kettlebells without being afraid of bumping into something.<\/p>\n

In terms of surfaces to do your kettlebell workout on, we suggest that you opt for a hard surface \u2013 such as a carpet or wooden floor \u2013 and always wear closed training shoes so that your feet have a good grip on the floor. Accidents do happen so if you happen to drop the kettlebell onto your foot during the movement, if you\u2019re wearing closed shoes the damage to your toes will be much less than if you had been wearing open shoes.<\/p>\n

Kettlebells provide a great total-body workout<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When you work out with kettlebells, you train different muscle groups in your body at the same time. This is both in your upper and lower body.<\/p>\n

Take, for example, a foundational kettlebell swing exercise. This exercise works and strengthens your hips, glutes, hamstrings, lats as well as your abdominals, shoulders and pecs. And remember that the more muscles that you work the more calories you\u2019ll burn even when you\u2019re at rest.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to perform this exercise:<\/h3>\n
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  • Start in the rack position with your wrists in neutral. Your thumbs must be in the midline of your body.<\/li>\n
  • Tighten your core and let the kettlebell swing between your legs. Don\u2019t resist the drop of the kettlebell. It\u2019s vital that you move with the momentum it creates as if you don\u2019t, you\u2019ll injure your lower back.<\/li>\n
  • As the kettlebell swings back, push your bum back to absorb the shock. When the kettlebell is at its lowest point of the drop, reverse the movement and swing the kettlebell aggressively to fire it back up. Make sure to triple extend. This means that you should forcefully extend\/straighten your ankles, knees and hip joints.<\/li>\n
  • As the kettlebell comes up to your chest, allow your hand to travel around it to catch it softly with your thumb in the midline of your body. Repeat as many times as necessary so that you can achieve the results that you want. However, while you\u2019re perfecting your form in the exercise, rather opt for lower reps and lower weights so that you don\u2019t end up hurting yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Here\u2019s a video to demonstrate how to perform the kettlebell swing:<\/p>\n