Why you should train with the kettlebell.
Why you should train with the kettlebell. I recently started training with kettlebells religiously, as have most of the other guys on our staff at HRSportfit.com and Wareings. I think I am actually addicted to the challenge of throwing them around because it brings out a sort of "Neanderthallic" genetically engrained behavior that feels natural. The best thing about kettlebells and the exercises that you can do with them is that the movements are open chained, meaning they don't have fixed beginning and/or end points. This allows you to transition into multiple planes of motion with out stopping and restarting. Do you understand what that does for the body? EVERYTHING!!! Our daily lives are made up of millions of different movements, taking place in every plane of motion imaginable and rarely do we stop each individual movement in order to get ready for the next. Many people find themselves getting injured during activities of daily life because their bodies are not trained to complete movements correctly. Movement patterns are only successfully completed with out injury or distress when we incorporate the correct muscles and positive kinetic differentiation. "Kinetic Differentiation,"- is the body's ability to use the correct muscles in order to complete a physical task or movement. With kettlebell training, various movement patterns are manipulated and tested using an outside force (the kettlebell) to facilitate muscle activation and strengthening. If we train in positive movement patterns, through all planes of motion, we will inevitably become stronger in all planes, reducing our risk of injury. Kettlebell training surpasses many other forms of exercise because it not only works to strengthen the body; it also incorporates rhythm, hand-eye coordination, and stabilization into the picture. These factors add a constantly changing neuromuscular connection, which force the brain to work throughout the actions and movements you are creating. You tell me what other trends incorporate that? The funny thing about the kettlebell is, "It Doesn't Lie." You can tell from the very start of a movement if you are muscling through it instead of allowing your body's kinetic ability to create the action. The action is forced and rigid instead of rhythmic and smooth, and the degree of fatigue is multiplied with poor technique. So on that note I must reiterate the importance of the "PRINCIPLE" principle in kettlebell training, and that is the forceful hip extension that drives the bell. Even though the motion resembles a traditional front raise, which relies on the shoulders to move an implement, it is actually the glutes and hamstrings FIREING as the kettlebell finishes it's decent through the legs that allows for this rhythmic swinging nature of the exercise. The forearms slightly bounce off of the inner thigh, instantaneously changing the direction of the kettlebell's momentum. The energy from swing is transferred into the hips, which absorb then counteract this force and extend to swing the kettlebell back in to its original movement pattern. Once you master the swing it becomes very natural and fluid, which then allows you to progress into various other movements and variations. Now that you have the basics down you can start to manipulate your programming to fit your lifestyle and activity level. From ground fighters to golfers, kettlebell training and the endless variations and capabilities it possesses, puts it ahead of the curve in terms of functionality. Depending on what you want to focus on, from power to fitness you have the toolbox with kettlebell training. I like to think of training with the kettlebell as "Human Reactive Exercise." With every throw, swing, or push you have to focus on how you are positioned, the position of the bell, where you are going next, and how to keep your rhythm. You are reacting to an outside force constantly, which forces you to think through, move into, and make changes to your body's positioning within seconds of your next move. It is innovative, ever changing, and constantly manipulated but we will get in to that on another day. Thanks for your time
Benny CSCS
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