Begining kettlebell training.

[Cavedweller]

I am new to martial arts, having only started in the past year. I want to start working more on strength and fitness at home. I was thinking of starting kettlebell lifting. I have never done it before. I have a couple of questions.

1) Is 40 years of age too old to be starting kettlebells? ( I know, i know!! I just don't want to do myself an injury!)

2)Can anyone recommend any kettlebell training dvds that would be geared towards men ( I've checked on amazon and they all seemed to be geared towards women)

All advice/info welcome

[Pacificshore]

Go to the Art of Strength website. Search it on google and the site should come up. We bought stuff from them in the past and have some decent training dvds.

[holyheadjch]

I'd recommend going to an organised class led by an experienced trainer to begin with. Kettlebell compounds aren't dangerous when done well, but done badly can really screw your back up. If that's not an option, I'd recommend Steve Cotter's stuff. He's a serious kettlebell guy and his DVDs are probably the best when it comes to minimising the risk of poor technique.

[Kuma]

Go for the Enter the Kettlebell book and DVD combo. Great way to get introduced to the KB and it'll get you on the right track. Once you learn how to swing, snatch, and C&J you're pretty well set.

[harukoraharu]

1) Is 40 years of age too old to be starting kettlebells? ( I know, i know!! I just don't want to do myself an injury!)

I hope not, as I'm 41 and just starting using them a few weeks ago. But there is more technique involved than with say dumbells. Even something as simple as the swing will put a lot of pressure on the lower back done incorrectly. I did a :google: and saw Crossfit Ireland did a KB course last month. Maybe they'll repeat it


2)Can anyone recommend any kettlebell training dvds that would be geared towards men ( I've checked on amazon and they all seemed to be geared towards women)

There is just one on eBay but looks a bit dubious. This guy seems to know what he's talking about YouTube - RMAX Kettlebell Push Press Pull Part I Scott Sonnon

[seiken steve]

I'd recommend going to an organised class led by an experienced trainer to begin with. Kettlebell compounds aren't dangerous when done well, but done badly can really screw your back up. If that's not an option, I'd recommend Steve Cotter's stuff. He's a serious kettlebell guy and his DVDs are probably the best when it comes to minimising the risk of poor technique.

This. literally exactly what i was about to type.

[Cavedweller]

Thanks guys, for all of the advice and input so far.

The MA club I go to also does regular kettlebell courses and classes with a qualified trainer but the beginners classes clash with one of my weekly FMA training sessions and I don't want to drop that session. I cant really afford the time or the money to do a course/classes elsewhere so I am pretty much confined to using DVDS/books/youtube to learn.

So any advice/Tips/Warnings about learning outside of organised classes would be great.

Thanks to all.

[seiken steve]

Thanks guys, for all of the advice and input so far.

The MA club I go to also does regular kettlebell courses and classes with a qualified trainer but the beginners classes clash with one of my weekly FMA training sessions and I don't want to drop that session. I cant really afford the time or the money to do a course/classes elsewhere so I am pretty much confined to using DVDS/books/youtube to learn.

So any advice/Tips/Warnings about learning outside of organised classes would be great.

Thanks to all.

Honestly mate i couldn't recommend going to those classes more.
Even if just for a few weeks or every other week or something till you've grasped the swing (one and two handed) C&J, snatch and Turkish get up.

From there i would say learning from books etc isn't a bad idea, but till then you need an instructor IMHO.

[holyheadjch]

and I don't want to drop that session.
Bear in mind you'll be dropping more than that session if you throw your back out being a kettlebell hero.

[Frodocious]

Bear in mind you'll be dropping more than that session if you throw your back out being a kettlebell hero.

QFT!

As someone who suffers from back issues, take it from me, learn the correct technique before you do damage and end up missing lots of training whilst lying on your back screaming in pain, unable to move!

[harukoraharu]

Thanks guys, for all of the advice and input so far.

The MA club I go to also does regular kettlebell courses and classes with a qualified trainer but the beginners classes clash with one of my weekly FMA training sessions and I don't want to drop that session. I cant really afford the time or the money to do a course/classes elsewhere so I am pretty much confined to using DVDS/books/youtube to learn.

So any advice/Tips/Warnings about learning outside of organised classes would be great.

Thanks to all.

This is always the way. My ninjutsu clashes with the main running club in Cambridge so I just have a Monday beginners group, though it has been helpful in improving my technique, just not my speed so far. I was watching this long clip with Steve Cotter last night explaining how to do the basics and importance of technique.
YouTube - Kettlebell Basics with Steve Cotter

Doing the swing has really helped my deadlift form. I think there are some things in common between KB and barbell lifts and its taking me some time to get to grips with the others. Luckily one of the guys in the gym that used to compete spotted what I was doing wrong in my squat and its getting better. It would have been an injury waiting to happen if I'd upped the weight doing it wrong. The KB snatch is in my goals for next year, I know I'm not ready yet

[Tom@Foresight]

Hi All,

It is never too late to start kettlebell training!

I would look for a local class as there is no DVD or book that will help you to get the technique rigt better than a trained instructor!

TOM

[Freeform]

Having no classes to go to when I lived in Bristol, I found a UKKA qualified instructor in Bath and paid for about four hours with him.

We covered maybe 3/4 exercises and I used those for a couple of months. Then I went back to him for 'revision'. He tweaked a few things and then we did a lot more techniques.

I can't stress enough the need for supervision with these things.

[Freeform]

Having no classes to go to when I lived in Bristol, I found a UKKA qualified instructor in Bath and paid for about four hours with him.

We covered maybe 3/4 exercises and I used those for a couple of months. Then I went back to him for 'revision'. He tweaked a few things and then we did a lot more techniques.

I can't stress enough the need for supervision with these things.

[slipthejab]

Yep agreed.... it's swinging around a heavy weight made even heavier by momentum and the first thing to go will be a lower back... followed by shoulder. They are very common now in many gyms.... as is horrible form and lower back injuries.

[icefield]

personally i just love how pavel sold people on the kettlebells by saying they were easier to learn than the barbell OL lifts so even though they are expensive fixed weights you can make the difference up by NOT having to pay a fortune in learning fees, and then started charging people a fortune to learn correct technique....got to love the guy :)