Weightlifting is an event for women in the Olympics, and women training in other sports or women who simply want to stay in shape, use weights as part of their training. But the traditional weights are now being challenged in terms of popularity by a piece of equipment known as a kettlebell. It looks a bit like a cannon ball with a handle and has become the training accessory of choice by many women. Kettlebell training for women is believed to give a total boost to fitness from a relatively limited routine. The number of women and kettlebells in serious training are growing so fast that there are now competitions using the ‘one kettlebell snatch’ and the ‘two kettlebell jerk’.
Kettlebells Are Effective
A kettlebell is not like a dumbbell, obviously in appearance, but also in the physics of the equipment. A kettlebell displaces weight, meaning you have to work against resistance. And as the routine is performed, the benefits are greater. The handle on the kettlebell makes it easier for the woman doing her routine, it makes her workout more intense and all of this adds up to a quicker time in which to reach her fitness goals. What kettlebell weight for women? It is recommended that women start with an 18lb – or 1/2 pood – kettlebell and gradually increase weight as progress is made.
Great Exercises for Women
There are some common exercises used by women and here are three which include the kettlebell snatch. This is the same as a snatch with traditional weights only the kettlebell is raised to above the head keeping the arm extended. The kettlebell jerk which again is like the traditional jerk with the kettlebell being lifted with extended arms. The kettlebell power clean squat thrust is not easy. You begin by lifting the kettlebell to level with your chest before you squat. Then, as in a traditional dumbbell overhead squat, you thrust the kettlebell above your head.
Don’t Be Intimidated
At first some women are not keen on kettlebell workouts. They may have heard that kettlebells are used in training by the armed forces, elite Olympians and many professional athletes. It sounds like heavy duty training. Then just the appearance of the kettlebell can put you off. But once they have tried a kettlebell workout for women, more and more women are switching their routines to use this equipment.
Single, Small, Convenient Piece of Equipment
What are the benefits of kettlebell training for women? One of the main benefits of training with kettlebells is that it is all you need as far as gym equipment is concerned. Kettlebells are small, easy to store and transport, and you can work out in a limited space. You may be a woman who is a dedicated athlete or simply a woman who wants to stay in shape, but no matter because a kettlebell routine will boost your energy levels, help shape your body (give you a ‘kettlebell body’!) and conditioning, increase your strength, supercharge your metabolism and the whole routine can take less time than you would spend traveling to and from a gym and using many pieces of equipment. Whichever way you look at it, the kettlebell routine wins hands down. Plus a kettlebell routine means you get a great cardio workout as you do your strength training. And for those women wanting to lose weight, their problem is often a slow metabolism. A rapid workout with kettlebells will increase your metabolism which in turn will burn more fat faster. So it’s easy to understand why more and more women are enjoying the benefits of kettlebell exercises for women.
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