Kettlebells

[rich12]

I used to use kettlebells religiously a few years ago. Not only are they great for an all over workout (core mainly) but are very good for increasing strength.

I have 20KG ones and 2 heavy duty resistance bands which helps you once they don't feel so heavy/ you can do more reps.

As others have said, technique is the most important aspect with kettlebells. So many people just swing them around with no technique/core and I imagine it's doing more harm than good.

[TheThing]

Hoofy said:

MC Bodge said:

Louis Balfour said:

I have two 16kg KBs and they serve the purpose of keeping the Erg mat from slipping. I wish I had bought some lighter ones.

Wel, if you are giving them away...
had thought about buying a second 16Kg last year for two handed exercises, but then the pandemic started and prices rocketed, so I didn't.

I do use a 16 and a 24 in two hands for some exercises, but swings might be a bit out of balance!

Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 5th March 09:39

Could you tie them together with sturdy rope and then change the way you hold them knowing that they will stay together?

No need for rope. I stole someone else's idea from the training thread (can't remember who from the top of my head) but they had the great idea of using a ratchet strap to add extra weight to their kettlebell. I now use one too tie kettlebells together and it works great. £5 for a ratchet strap of £££ for a 50kg kettlebell. No brainer!

[TheJimi]

TheThing said:

Hoofy said:

MC Bodge said:

Louis Balfour said:

I have two 16kg KBs and they serve the purpose of keeping the Erg mat from slipping. I wish I had bought some lighter ones.

Wel, if you are giving them away...
had thought about buying a second 16Kg last year for two handed exercises, but then the pandemic started and prices rocketed, so I didn't.

I do use a 16 and a 24 in two hands for some exercises, but swings might be a bit out of balance!

Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 5th March 09:39

Could you tie them together with sturdy rope and then change the way you hold them knowing that they will stay together?

No need for rope. I stole someone else's idea from the training thread (can't remember who from the top of my head) but they had the great idea of using a ratchet strap to add extra weight to their kettlebell. I now use one too tie kettlebells together and it works great. £5 for a ratchet strap of £££ for a 50kg kettlebell. No brainer!

That'll be me

[TheThing]

TheJimi said:

TheThing said:

Hoofy said:

MC Bodge said:

Louis Balfour said:

I have two 16kg KBs and they serve the purpose of keeping the Erg mat from slipping. I wish I had bought some lighter ones.

Wel, if you are giving them away...
had thought about buying a second 16Kg last year for two handed exercises, but then the pandemic started and prices rocketed, so I didn't.

I do use a 16 and a 24 in two hands for some exercises, but swings might be a bit out of balance!

Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 5th March 09:39

Could you tie them together with sturdy rope and then change the way you hold them knowing that they will stay together?

No need for rope. I stole someone else's idea from the training thread (can't remember who from the top of my head) but they had the great idea of using a ratchet strap to add extra weight to their kettlebell. I now use one too tie kettlebells together and it works great. £5 for a ratchet strap of £££ for a 50kg kettlebell. No brainer!

That'll be me

Thank you, it is a great idea that works really well

[TheJimi]

Like you, I didn't want to spend the money on a 50kg+ KB, and equally, I didn't want to tape the DB & KB together, which puts them individually out of commission.

So the ratchet straps were my solution. 40kg DB + 20kg KB. My other solution (which I still think might do) is to get a engineering friend to make me a clamp.

[TheThing]

TheJimi said:

Like you, I didn't want to spend the money on a 50kg+ KB, and equally, I didn't want to tape the DB & KB together, which puts them individually out of commission.

So the ratchet straps were my solution. 40kg DB + 20kg KB. My other solution (which I still think might do) is to get a engineering friend to make me a clamp.

Good idea. You could get him to weld some extra weight to the clamp and go properly heavy!

[MC Bodge]

TheJimi said:

Like you, I didn't want to spend the money on a 50kg+ KB, and equally, I didn't want to tape the DB & KB together, which puts them individually out of commission.

So the ratchet straps were my solution. 40kg DB + 20kg KB.

Do you have any photos of that arrangement?

[TheJimi]

TheThing said:

TheJimi said:

Like you, I didn't want to spend the money on a 50kg+ KB, and equally, I didn't want to tape the DB & KB together, which puts them individually out of commission.

So the ratchet straps were my solution. 40kg DB + 20kg KB. My other solution (which I still think might do) is to get a engineering friend to make me a clamp.

Good idea. You could get him to weld some extra weight to the clamp and go properly heavy!

Aye, that could work too, but I want some flexibility, so I've got the idea of getting metal shrouds designed to fit each side of the dumbbells, with the idea that they can be removed.

Still cheaper than buying heavier KBs.

I've actually currently ducktaped them together. The ratchet strap concept works, as you know, but I didn't have much faith in the fairly stty ones that arrived from Amazon, so they're on their way back and an heftier set incoming.

What straps are you using?

Edited by TheJimi on Friday 5th March 20:23

[TheThing]

In all honesty I'm using an old rachet strap that has been knocking about in my garage for years. I couldn't tell you where it came from. Its a bit battered but it has held up OK, but I'm only using it to strap a 20kg plate to a 32kg kettlebell. I'm not sure I'd trust it for any more weight than that though!

[TheJimi]

Ah right, I just assumed you'd ordered some straps specifically.

So 52kg KB then? That'll get you going

Edited by TheJimi on Friday 5th March 20:52

[TheThing]

TheJimi said:

Ah right, I just assumed you'd ordered some straps specifically.

So 52kg KB then? That'll get you going

Edited by TheJimi on Friday 5th March 20:52

It will keep me going for a while. I've worked out I can get it up to 100kg while keeping it narrow enough for swings by using 2x 24kg bells, 32kg bell and 20kg plate. Would need another strap though. Won't need that much weight any time soon though!

[MC Bodge]

TheThing said:

It will keep me going for a while. I've worked out I can get it up to 100kg while keeping it narrow enough for swings by using 2x 24kg bells, 32kg bell and 20kg plate. Would need another strap though. Won't need that much weight any time soon though!

How/where are you strapping the weights? A DB attached To the bottom of the KB?

[272BHP]

I only really use mine for Kettlebell swings. At my age I try to stay away from any exercise that could injure and with many kettlebell exercises I feel as though I could be setting myself up for an injury with the introduction of any sloppy form.

I can pretty much hit the groove with kettlebell swings every time so I can go heavy and still feel safe.

[ORD]

I love KBs for overhead pressing. I have two 24kg bells and am tempted to get a 40kg one for some heavy work. I can do15+ reps with the 24kg so think I could probably get the 40kg bell up (maybe with a bit of knee bend...)

[TheJimi]

Interestingly, I find KB swings with one 20kg bell in each hand, more taxing than a single 60kg bell in both hands.

ORD said:

I love KBs for overhead pressing. I have two 24kg bells and am tempted to get a 40kg one for some heavy work. I can do15+ reps with the 24kg so think I could probably get the 40kg bell up (maybe with a bit of knee bend...)

Yeah, I remember you saying that before.

I'm the opposite, I quite dislike KB's for pressing movements, I much prefer DBs. I do love KB snatches though - thanks to diddely

Edited by TheJimi on Monday 8th March 12:01

[ORD]

TheJimi said:

Yeah, I remember you saying that before.

I'm the opposite, I quite dislike KB's for pressing movements, I much prefer DBs. I do love KB snatches though - thanks to diddely

Edited by TheJimi on Monday 8th March 12:01

I love KBs for overhead press because its easier, if I am honest. Weight is more lined up with forearm.

[TheJimi]

Aye, I remember you saying that too.

I think about you every time I do OH KB work

...and every time I still can't grasp what you mean by that!

[Douglas Quaid]

I have never really got the hang of using them for pressing. Much prefer a barbell for that. Maybe it’s my technique.