Kettlebells: Twice the Results in Half The Time.
Today we have an article on a study done about kettlebells and the results that come with using them. I also have an introduction for you. I want you to get to know Lauren Brooks from On The Edge Fitness. Lauren Brooks is the owner of On The Edge Fitness and Co-owner of BuggyBellz. She is the creator of the worldwide selling DVD’s “The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells” Volume 1 and 2. Her 2nd DVD “Baby Bells, is the first and only Kettlebell video, designed specifically for pregnant woman. Lauren is a full-time working mother of 2 beautiful young girls. Her passion for leading a healthy and active life is an inspiration for mothers, parents, and woman everywhere.
Lauren is a Kettlebell Instructor (RKC) Team Leader, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, and has a degree in Kinesiology. After the Kettlebell results article I have a Q & A with Lauren and a video.
Well I sure didn’t need a research study to prove to me that training with kettlebells will give you amazing fat burning and strength results in just half the time. I figured that out immediately since picking them up almost 6 
years ago. It was clear to me when implemented properly in a balanced way, that you can seriously get a killer workout in the most efficient way.
In the past 6 years I have had the opportunity to personally teach hundreds of people how to use a kettlebell and thousands with my videos. It’s been such a rewarding experience and never gets boring to me. Each client has been very different and has taught me how to become better at what I do. Little tricks I’ve learned along the way to teach someone the basic moves in a more efficient way. Kettlebells draws in the full spectrum of 
individuals. Male and Female, All ages from 10-90, Extreme Athletes, Sedentary people, Post Rehab, Pre and Postnatal, you name it!! It really is for most people. Although, like anything, it’s not for everyone. There are a select few that really have absolutely no body awareness and that is where weight machines or other tools are a better fit until the person improves. Maybe 5 out of 100 that I have seen fall in this category.
Now everyone knows what a kettlebell is. You can find them in corporate gyms and many of the fancy gyms all over. The only scare is many trainers who do not know the proper technique are using it with their clients. More injuries are occurring due to this and could quickly fault the kettlebell as a dangerous tool. When in fact it’s one of the safest around when the person knows what they are doing. It’s a shame that many of the foundation exercises are getting watered down when taught by someone unqualified, therefore losing it’s value. If you are new to kettlebells and you want to get the real benefits from them, make sure you get a lesson from a certified kettlebell instructor with a good track record. An instructor that is known for their teaching skills and not just for their own kettlebell skills. With more and more kettlebell “certification” clinics opening up, the standards are naturally coming down.
With all of this said, go head and check out the study that was done. If this doesn’t make people want to start kettlebells I don’t know what will!
You can view the kettlebell study here “Kettlebells : Twice the Results in Half the Time?”
Anyone see kettlebells used on the Biggest Loser?? I seriously have to close my eyes when I see these poor people using it in such an incorrect way! Feel free to leave comments below on your experience with kettlebells. Whether people have told you that it’s just a fad. Or if you see people using them incorrectly.
A Q & A With Lauren Brooks of On The Edge Fitness
Q: Why did you first get involved in kettlebell training?
Kettlebell training sparked my interest because it was an old school way of training. I was curious to see how people use these heavy hunks of iron and swing them around. It was also something new and I was looking for a way to change my training to a more effective way.
Q: How is KB training different from dumbell training?
The weight distribution on a kettlebell is massed in a ball with a handle on it. So the handle allows you to swing it around more fluidly rather than the lopsidedness of a dumbbell. Kettlebell training is geared more toward exercises that involve swinging them around along with many more strength training exercises that get the deep stabilizing muscles. You can get a much heavier cardio and strength training workout all in one with a kettlebell.
Q: What weight of KB do you suggest a beginner start out with? And is it necessary to have 2 KB of the same weight or can you get by with just one?
I normally recommend ladies to start with an 8kg (18lb) kettlebell. Very strong women can start with a 12kg (25lb) kettlebell. You can do plenty of exercises with just one kettlebell.
Q: I read somewhere that the KB swing is a good exercise to have people do who have trouble getting the correct form with a squat, is this true and why?
I think they both can go hand in hand. Sometimes I teach people the squat so they can improve their swing and vice versa. The main reason is learning to push your hips back behind you. Teaching people to do a proper squat can be tricky. For some reason many people automatically want to bring their knees forward. By placing a lower chair behind your body and teaching yourself to stick your butt out to sit in that low chair, that has really been a great tool for teaching the proper form on the squat.
Q: What basic KB exercises should a beginner do before learning the more advanced moves?
Q: September is Abs month on WDF, so could you suggest a couple KB exercises that would strengthen and help build those sexy abs we are all longing for?
Kettlebell Swings are a great way to strengthen the core and will help shed fat quickly to see the abs. If you are looking for isolated type ab exercises, there is the Russian Twist which is on my DVD as well as the Pullover to Crunch. All very effective ab strengthening and toning exercises. But the absolute best way to see the sexy abs you work so hard for all comes down to the right nutrition.
Go To On The Edge Fitness for more about Lauren and her Kettlebell Training
