USAWA

I think kettlebells are pretty much just cool to look at. I dont have any real use in lifting them. Not much you can do with them that you cannot do witha dumbbell

ET

Sorry about starting a second thread, I didn’t realize that Al beat me to it. I just moved it over here.

Thom, who can argue the popularity of kettlebells? I think that in the end, if it can get people to be physically active, then it’s a good thing and the guy in your rec center seems to recognize this. Of course for athletes it’s a different question, one of maximized gains.

Researchers have looked at kettlebells and of course we’ve covered it in JOPP. Interesting findings. Basically, you just can’t train based on the old and new myths surrounding kettlebell training…or any other form of training…if you have max gains in mind. Too many people get caught up in the hype, train in ineffective and unscientific ways, and thus never maximize their gains, get injured, and/or drop out.

But you know, I guess for most people it’s about having fun, not popping blood vessels under the strain of a barbell squat or developing so much power in a clean that your feet come clean (pun intended) off the ground. So Thom, I simply must ask, what’s more fun to you?

And Al, as to your question, Joe Weider had this kettlebell in his office. One day while we were hanging out I noticed it. He asked me if I’d like to have it. Before he finished the question I had snatched it up, literally, and almost fell on my ass because of the handle. We had a good laugh. Well, it’s been collecting dust ever since. Does that answer your question?

-d

Where they get used is by the fitness crowd in our gym…and Dan…I much prefer to come clean off the ground in my cleans and I’ve popped a blood vessel or two in my day.

Here’s a funny story. My Granddad would grab those 50lb block weights every time he would walk in the garage and snatch them overhead. I remember thinking as a kid I’d be pretty bad ass if I could do that. I would grab them, but no luck and drop them. Then one day I got them both! And as I peered up holding them and admiring my bad ass self…all of 13 or 14 years old…each block rotated out in opposite directions (no allowing me to easily drop them) and banged against each arm! That HURT!

No, Al, you’re absolutely right. That thing is for the WOB and weighs exactly 42 pounds. On the bottom is a Weider Health & Fitness sticker and I’m wondering if it’s a prototype of what his company used to make. Anyway, Joe referred to it as his kettlebell and I just kept on calling it that.

He had another indiosyncrasy that’s sort of funny. He’d refer to bench pressing as the prone press. Despite the fact others and myself would tell him that’s the wrong term to apply, he stuck to doing so. Bodybuilders…LOL

-d

I like kettlebells. Quite a bit.