Stupid Russian Kettlebells!

Kettlebell training is just like any other fitness endeavor in two very important ways. For one, if you do it properly, kettlebell exercise can skyrocket your fitness to a whole new level within a relatively short span of time. And on the other hand, poorly executed kettlebell intervalscan result in kettlebell injuriesthat introduce a whole new level of pain and suffering if you do not practice it carefully – and you’ll more than likely scream out and warn everyone around you that, “Ouch! Russian kettlebells are so stupid! You get hurt too easily!”

“Stupid Russian Kettlebells! I’m Injured!”

Your body is a machine, and you must tend carefully to the hardware requirements your particular machine puts forward. If you abuse your equipment, you will find yourself in agony – which is much different than the burning pain that lactic acid should rightly produce during your actual exercises.

When you do kettlebell training, you are working your joints in ways that they might never have been worked in the past. Introducing such new and dynamic movements can be excellent for your development and fitness goals, but they can also have detrimental effects on your joints if you have not stretched, warmed up and hydrated properly. Improper Russian kettlebell exercise can have horrible effects upon your connective tissues if you try to “sprint” your way through the exercises as well, so don’t race your way through a high intensity kettlebell training interval. Kettlebells are not sprints, but middle distance. Speed can help you, but you must be in control of the weights. Otherwise, you can hurt somebody – more than likely yourself, and possibly some unfortunate bystander if your grip slips.

Responsible kettlebell trainers usually will not recommend large, “whirlwind” motions with kettlebells in your hands for these reasons. If you are well hydrated, well stretched, well warmed up, and have both ample space and an excellent grip on the weights, this high intensity interval training will be great for shocking your muscles into a state of rapid growth. Since most people will not have all of these things at once, it is simply too risky.

Avoid thinking Russian kettlebells are stupid by sticking to the basics of training. Know your limits (discomfort is good, pain is bad), start slowly with any movement (especially if it is new to you), and if it looks like the weight could hurt someone, try a less acrobatic movement. Remember that if you don’t work out for awhile (such as if your kettlebell training has injured you), you will begin to lose strength so prepare to start with a lighter weight than usual until you recover your brawn.