Kettlebell Workouts

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spend half the time are you thinking about which is optimal doing ANY kind of strength training and you will get strong. this thread is a classic example of the kind of overthinking that people do here.
 
A different way to look at it or some people need to know why

this thread is a classic example of the kind of overthinking that people do here.

Here goes

Some people need to know why. By that, I mean they will do the task or goal better if they know why. Everyone is not like this. Some people ask one or two questions and are fine, some ask none. If they trust you and you tell them what to do they'll do it. I dont' think one should try to covert the other or think the other is wrong.

I am one who needs to know why but it took me a long time to figure out that I do much better when I know why. It goes beyond just asking questions but a deeper need to understand the process whatever it is. I didn't think it was cool to ask questions growing up. You don't want to be the nerd asking questions. So I just memorized the info did well and promptly forgot everything. As I got older the same thing continued with me learning things that I knew were true (either because I trusted the person or I saw the results). However, I would not truly integrate the information, habit whatever because I didn't really understand it. One day I realized that I really like to learn and the more I allowed myself to learn the more I actually integrated the information.

My wife is not this way although she is very intelligent. She often says "your head is going to explode" because I like to learn. I don't have to try and analyze things I just do. I can squelch that or go with it. It's better when I go with it.

Everyone is a little different with how much they need to know. It helps me when I remember this.

Patient 1- Strong personality-maybe a CEO, director of something etc. They often get labeled the "difficult patient" because they are very hard headed, stubborn etc and may argue with anyone. They will ask 1 or 2 questions top. when they do ask they want a concise answer, bottom line, given with confidence. Allow them to be in control or think they are in control and they do great. If you butt heads with them they'll butt back and it will be a stalemate or they won't come back.

Patient 2 - The sweet patient. They don't want to hurt your feelings/want to please you. If you're too hard on them they may actually tear up or will just shut down. You often think they are doing better than they actually are because they won't say much other than "I'm fine." They may have many questions but won't ask them out of fear or some other reason. They may also leave if they don't feel you are paying enough attention to them. They are big on one on one may feel uncomfortable in a gym with a lot of people.

Patient 3. Needs to be in a room full of people. They will die if they are in a room by themselves. Likes a party. They get bored with the same routine and you need to frequently change what they do. They may ask a question but they forget the answer soon after. Lots of repetition from different angles. Often doesn't do their homework unless it's fun.

Patient 4. Likes to ask questions. If you give high quality answers they will listen and do what you want them to. If you give a crappy answer or tell them "just do this because it will help" then they will often do it half-hearted or not at all. They can become very regimented for good or bad. When they have gotten a good answer they usually won't continue to ask.

How this applies to sports.

I was usually as good or better than most guys when first learning any sport. HOWEVER, at some point some would catch and pass me in their skill level and usually it was because I needed to know why in order to go to the next level and very few coaches could do that. I would want to know xyz and They said - don't think/question etc just do it or just watch me.

I started playing golf freshman year of high school (82) because my best friend was going to be on the team. My Dad played tennis but had some old clubs in the garage. I had no instruction but I had played a lot of baseball. I looked at a golf magazine and went out to the range a few times with my friend. The golf team needed a 5th player (we were a small school) so I asked if I could go and may or may not contribute. A month after starting to play golf I shot a 48 in a 9 hole match (high school tournament conditions). This was without instruction other than self learning. My best 9 holes to date is a 33 but that 48 was as good or better because it was absolutely as good as I could have played.
I watched everyone and but didn't improve much until I got a copy of Hogan's 5 lessons. Here was someone who knew what he was talking about. When I got some of my questions answered I got my score down to the upper 30's/lower 40's. Over the years I've continued to grow with golf which led me to Brian's site. Now with a family and job playing time is my main constraint to improvement.
As I previously mentioned, I found that when I answer the questions that I have then I can move on. If I don't understand or haven't found an answer then it becomes a loop in my head and I'm more likely to hesitate or not do the task as well as I could. Overthinking may be bad but everyone has a different definition of what constitutes overthinking. Sometimes we just need to understand.

Back to the original thread later...going with my son to play laser tag. Won't over think- Just point and shoot.
 

d0n

New
Curtis and future, both of you guys are right. :D People often spend to much time "thinking" about working out and then there's those who don't think about what they are doing and just go through the routines (the same routines all the time.) A trade off between thinking/planning and actually taking the time to put them into action is needed. You can't just keep doing the same thing over and over (especially if your not getting results or you've stopped getting results.) At the same time garage sales are full of items that people were "planning" to use.

With that being said, coming up with a plan(s) that keeps you (you the person using the plan) engaged is the key. Getting results are equally key but both take planning, monitoring and lots of sweat...
 
THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION! THANK YOU.

Here goes

Some people need to know why. By that, I mean they will do the task or goal better if they know why. Everyone is not like this. Some people ask one or two questions and are fine, some ask none. If they trust you and you tell them what to do they'll do it. I dont' think one should try to covert the other or think the other is wrong.

I am one who needs to know why but it took me a long time to figure out that I do much better when I know why. It goes beyond just asking questions but a deeper need to understand the process whatever it is. I didn't think it was cool to ask questions growing up. You don't want to be the nerd asking questions. So I just memorized the info did well and promptly forgot everything. As I got older the same thing continued with me learning things that I knew were true (either because I trusted the person or I saw the results). However, I would not truly integrate the information, habit whatever because I didn't really understand it. One day I realized that I really like to learn and the more I allowed myself to learn the more I actually integrated the information.

My wife is not this way although she is very intelligent. She often says "your head is going to explode" because I like to learn. I don't have to try and analyze things I just do. I can squelch that or go with it. It's better when I go with it.

Everyone is a little different with how much they need to know. It helps me when I remember this.

Patient 1- Strong personality-maybe a CEO, director of something etc. They often get labeled the "difficult patient" because they are very hard headed, stubborn etc and may argue with anyone. They will ask 1 or 2 questions top. when they do ask they want a concise answer, bottom line, given with confidence. Allow them to be in control or think they are in control and they do great. If you butt heads with them they'll butt back and it will be a stalemate or they won't come back.

Patient 2 - The sweet patient. They don't want to hurt your feelings/want to please you. If you're too hard on them they may actually tear up or will just shut down. You often think they are doing better than they actually are because they won't say much other than "I'm fine." They may have many questions but won't ask them out of fear or some other reason. They may also leave if they don't feel you are paying enough attention to them. They are big on one on one may feel uncomfortable in a gym with a lot of people.

Patient 3. Needs to be in a room full of people. They will die if they are in a room by themselves. Likes a party. They get bored with the same routine and you need to frequently change what they do. They may ask a question but they forget the answer soon after. Lots of repetition from different angles. Often doesn't do their homework unless it's fun.

Patient 4. Likes to ask questions. If you give high quality answers they will listen and do what you want them to. If you give a crappy answer or tell them "just do this because it will help" then they will often do it half-hearted or not at all. They can become very regimented for good or bad. When they have gotten a good answer they usually won't continue to ask.

How this applies to sports.

I was usually as good or better than most guys when first learning any sport. HOWEVER, at some point some would catch and pass me in their skill level and usually it was because I needed to know why in order to go to the next level and very few coaches could do that. I would want to know xyz and They said - don't think/question etc just do it or just watch me.

I started playing golf freshman year of high school (82) because my best friend was going to be on the team. My Dad played tennis but had some old clubs in the garage. I had no instruction but I had played a lot of baseball. I looked at a golf magazine and went out to the range a few times with my friend. The golf team needed a 5th player (we were a small school) so I asked if I could go and may or may not contribute. A month after starting to play golf I shot a 48 in a 9 hole match (high school tournament conditions). This was without instruction other than self learning. My best 9 holes to date is a 33 but that 48 was as good or better because it was absolutely as good as I could have played.
I watched everyone and but didn't improve much until I got a copy of Hogan's 5 lessons. Here was someone who knew what he was talking about. When I got some of my questions answered I got my score down to the upper 30's/lower 40's. Over the years I've continued to grow with golf which led me to Brian's site. Now with a family and job playing time is my main constraint to improvement.
As I previously mentioned, I found that when I answer the questions that I have then I can move on. If I don't understand or haven't found an answer then it becomes a loop in my head and I'm more likely to hesitate or not do the task as well as I could. Overthinking may be bad but everyone has a different definition of what constitutes overthinking. Sometimes we just need to understand.

Back to the original thread later...going with my son to play laser tag. Won't over think- Just point and shoot.

Agreed 100%...for me.
 
Ok, Kettlebells

vjsinger,

Kettlebells would be an excellent program or part of an exercise program. There is a DVD on kettlebells and golf somewhere but I have NO IDEA if it's any good. There is no specific reason why you would have to do dumbbells or barbells for a while before doing kettlebells.

Cost - I did a search and I found 35lb kettlebells a few dollars cheaper than a 35lb dumbbell- This was surprising. Any iron kettlebell is as good as another. You can do more with one kettlebell than one dumbbell. The handle and weight distribution make it different than doing a kettlebell exercise with a dumbbell. This should not be a war with dumbbell vs kettlebell because both are great. Ideally you will use barbells, kettlebells etc You may get to sandbags and sledgehammers but that is going beyond your question.

There are many many free resources in regards to the kettlebell. I would recommend that you get a basic DVD and then as you are more comfortable with the bell, incorporate different exercises which you can find on the web.

If it's specifically for golf then incorporate it with a total program for best results. myTPI.com is a good resource for exercise information for golf

1- Flexibility which would center on the hips and shoulders. As well as any specific tight or tender area that you have- ie your neck tends to be tight because of an old high school injury.

2 General strengthening - I put this ahead of specific core strengthening for the average person or beginner. You will benefit from doing squats, lunges (good with a kettlebell) and push-ups, pull-ups. Things that strengthen the whole body. Your core gets a basic workout when you do any whole body exercise. I put up hay one summer and had abs from hell with no crunches.

3. Core strengthening- thousand variations but strengthening the muscles that allow you to keep your best posture and make your best swing for a few hours. Train in different planes as that is how life works.

No machine training or minimal because generally you don't have to balance with machines. Cables can be OK. This is why the kettlebell is a good tool because it forces you to balance, keep your body in control etc.

I also like chains - speedchain is a great way to work on your swing speed but that is a different subject.

Hope this helps.
 

d0n

New
If you're going to get kettlebells be sure to watch the shipping. Shipping is very expensive for these things. The best place I've found to get them online is from ader. Ader has an eBay store too. They also have the best KB shipping method. Dragondoor sends them in a box that they inevitably fall out of. Another place I bought from actually wrapped packing tape around them (with no box) which some of the tape never came off. Ader, I forget how they ship them but it was by far the best way. I've got three pairs (26lbs, 52lbs, and 72lbs) all of which I bought online. Shipping is usually 30-40% of the price of the total KB purchase.

If you want a KB program there are tons on YouTube now. You can also try these guys they are pretty new but they are trying to get a big web presence. Also Josh Henkins has a good fitness style and program. One site you may really like is Ross Training - he's got a LOT of free routines and a lot of workout at home type workouts. Lots of these guys (including the ones I just mention) sell their products and services. They also offer a lot of free information. Buy what you want, but remember there is no obligation to buy but these guys are trying to make a living too. - BTW I have no affiliation with any of these sites - Just simply trying to pass on some good information I've found.
 
Mine are Ader's, they are nice. If you are handy you can make adjustable Kettlebells. It would save you a lot of money, as KB's are not cheap or adjustable.
 
vjsinger,

Kettlebells would be an excellent program or part of an exercise program. There is a DVD on kettlebells and golf somewhere but I have NO IDEA if it's any good. There is no specific reason why you would have to do dumbbells or barbells for a while before doing kettlebells.

Cost - I did a search and I found 35lb kettlebells a few dollars cheaper than a 35lb dumbbell- This was surprising. Any iron kettlebell is as good as another. You can do more with one kettlebell than one dumbbell. The handle and weight distribution make it different than doing a kettlebell exercise with a dumbbell. This should not be a war with dumbbell vs kettlebell because both are great. Ideally you will use barbells, kettlebells etc You may get to sandbags and sledgehammers but that is going beyond your question.

There are many many free resources in regards to the kettlebell. I would recommend that you get a basic DVD and then as you are more comfortable with the bell, incorporate different exercises which you can find on the web.

If it's specifically for golf then incorporate it with a total program for best results. myTPI.com is a good resource for exercise information for golf

1- Flexibility which would center on the hips and shoulders. As well as any specific tight or tender area that you have- ie your neck tends to be tight because of an old high school injury.

2 General strengthening - I put this ahead of specific core strengthening for the average person or beginner. You will benefit from doing squats, lunges (good with a kettlebell) and push-ups, pull-ups. Things that strengthen the whole body. Your core gets a basic workout when you do any whole body exercise. I put up hay one summer and had abs from hell with no crunches.

3. Core strengthening- thousand variations but strengthening the muscles that allow you to keep your best posture and make your best swing for a few hours. Train in different planes as that is how life works.

No machine training or minimal because generally you don't have to balance with machines. Cables can be OK. This is why the kettlebell is a good tool because it forces you to balance, keep your body in control etc.

I also like chains - speedchain is a great way to work on your swing speed but that is a different subject.

Hope this helps.


Thanks Brotha...you are my guru for fitness...you know your stuff. I ordered a "Basic" DVD from Dragondoor and started looking at specific moves for my weak areas...i.e. left hip flexor/hip adductor. I think I am going to have a good time trying the excersises and learning about my strengths and weaknesses....Thanks again.
 
Thanks Brotha...you are my guru for fitness...you know your stuff. I ordered a "Basic" DVD from Dragondoor and started looking at specific moves for my weak areas...i.e. left hip flexor/hip adductor. I think I am going to have a good time trying the excersises and learning about my strengths and weaknesses....Thanks again.


Glad to help but I'm no guru. Not sure when you reach that status maybe in a few years :)

I like what I do and Brian's site is an amazing resource. Glad to help.
 

lia41985

New member
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As someone who owns kettlebells and has done everything from bodybuilding, hardgainer, powerlifting, olympic weightlifting, crossfit, complexes, kbell , bodyweight routines, etc... How many push-ups can you do? How many pull-ups? How many bodyweight squats? Situps? Can you hold a plank for 60 seconds? Body weight exercises aren't sexy and people think they're easy and won't make you look good naked but if you're looking for general fitness and strength, as an untrained individual you could spend the better part of a year getting strong while focusing on proper form and movement mechanics.

Check out this site - simplefit.org. It's free, focuses on pushups/pullups/squats, has different levels for different fitness levels, has a set schedule and planned workouts and provides a pretty good cardiovascular hit while improving both your strength and endurance. All you need is a pull-up bar, 3 days a week and around 20 minutes. That's it. You won't get a 500 pound squat, bodyweight snatch or 300 pound bench doing this routine but my guess is you will be in better shape than 80% of the folks on this site and at least in much better shape than when you started, which is the point, right?

After awhile you can supplement with kettlebell swings or even better, turkish getups with the 35 pound bell - a great shoulder workout. Google it to get the form right. I prefer the Kalos Stenos getup but whatever floats your boat. And one last note - if you haven't already, get out of the golf cart, put those clubs on your back and WALK!
 
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