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Kettlebell Training > History of Kettlebells
History of
(Russian) Kettlebells
Russian Kettlebells: Girya, All-Around Fitness, Develop
Accelerates Strength / Flexibility, Boost Physical Resilience, Replaces
Barbells / Dumbbells / Medicine Balls / Bars / Weight Belts / Cardio
Equipment
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A 'kettlebell' or girya (Russ.) is a traditional Russian cast iron weight that looks like a cannonball with a handle. The
kettlebell is the ultimate tool for extreme all-round fitness.
"Not a single sport develops our muscular strength and bodies as well as kettlebell athletics," reported Russian magazine Hercules in 1913. |
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The kettlebell goes way back, it first appeared in a Russian dictionary in 1704 (Cherkikh, 1994). So popular were kettlebells in Tsarist Russia that any strongman or weightlifter was referred to as a girevik, or 'a kettlebell man'.
Benefits of kettlebell training include:
- Accelerates the development of
all-purpose strength
- Boosts physical
resilience—to repel the hardest hits
- Builds staying power—because the last round decides all
- Ensures the correct blend of
strength with flexibility
- Hacks your
fat off without the discomfort of dieting and
aerobics
- Forges a
fighter's physique
- Gives you independence - world's #1
portable; use anywhere, anytime
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Why Train with Kettlebells?
Because they deliver extreme all-round fitness. And no single other tool does it better.
Here is a short list of hardware the Russian kettlebell replaces:
- Barbells
- Dumbbells
- Belts for weighted pull-ups and dips
- Thick bars
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- Lever bars
- Medicine balls
- Grip devices
- Cardio equipment.
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Kettlebells: Research Shows Proven Results
Vinogradov & Lukyanov (1986) found a very high correlation between the results posted in a kettlebell lifting competition and a great range of dissimilar tests:
- Strength, measured with the three power lifts and grip strength;
- Strength endurance, measured with pull-ups and parallel bar dips; general endurance, determined by a 1000 meter run; work capacity and balance, measured with special tests.
Voropayev (1983) tested two groups of subjects in pull-ups, a standing broad jump, a 100m sprint, and a 1k run.
- The control group's training emphasized the above tests.
- The experimental group just lifted kettlebells.
In spite of the lack of practice on the exercises, the kettlebell group scored better in every one of the
tests! This is what we call "the what the hell effect".
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Depending on Your Needs, Kettlebells Can Help You Lose Weight or
Gain It
Kettlebells melt fat without the discomfort of dieting or the time
involved with aerobics.
- If you are overweight - you will lean out.
- If you are too skinny - you will get built up.
- According to Voropayev (1997) who studied top Russian gireviks, 21.2% increased their bodyweight since taking up kettlebelling and 21.2% (the exact same percentage, not a typo), mostly heavyweights, decreased it.
The Russian kettlebell is a powerful tool for fixing your body composition, whichever way it needs fixing.
Kettlebells forge users' physiques along the lines of antique statues:
- Broad shoulders with just a hint of pecs.
- Back muscles standing out in bold relief.
- Wiry arms.
- Rugged forearms.
- A cut midsection.
- Strong legs without a hint of squatter's chafing.
Liberating and aggressive as medieval swordplay, kettlebell training is highly addictive. What other piece of exercise equipment can boast that its owners name it? Paint it? Get tattoos of it? Our Russian kettlebell is the Harley-Davidson of strength hardware.
Kettlebells are Like Weightlifting Times Ten
"Kettlebells are like weightlifting times ten," stated Olympic Silver Medalist in Greco-Roman Wrestling Dennis Koslowski, D.C., RKC. "…If I could've met Pavel in the early '80s, I might've won two gold medals. I'm serious."
More About Kettlebells
Click on a link below to learn more about kettlebells, their history and
unique abilities.
Kettlebell Training
What Makes the
Kettlebell Unique?
Resistance Cardio
Training
Aerobic Kettlebell
Classes
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