Kettlebells, if you've not used or seen them,look roughly like an old kettle shape with a looping handle and a sold base. In recent years they have achieved increasing popularity as gyms and equipment suppliers look for new equipment to stimulate interest and variety in training. Like dumbbells and barbells, they come in various weight sizes, and they also vary in design configuration a little.
How to Use Kettlebells
Just about any exercise you can do with dumbbells, you can do with kettlebells. You grip the handles with either an overhand or underhand grip and allow the weight to rest, according to the exercise, in front or behind the wrist.Try it, and you'll soon see how it works.
The Kettlebell Overhead Press
The overhead press is a standard weight training exercise that can be done with dumbbells or barbells.
It's not too different with kettlebells, the main difference being that the grip and weight position is different because of the shape. Some people prefer the feel of kettlebells and some do not -- compared to dumbbells or barbells.
- Stand upright or sit on a bench with the back straight.
- Hold a kettlebell in each hand at the shoulders, palm forward, with the weight falling behind the wrist (see diagram).
- Raise the weights above the head in a controlled motion, ensuring that you do not slam the arms upward and stress the elbow joint.
- Exhale as you push upward.
- Return kettlebells to the shoulders.
- Option: Alternate arms instead of using both arms at once.
Kettlebells can add useful variety to your workouts. Give them a try.
