The Kettlebell is one of the fastest and most practical pieces of equipment on the market today. I am a big fan of the Kettlebell, mostly because it is a simple design and there are so many workouts you can do with it. But with all the hoopla that has been circling the Kettlebell as of late, it is important that you know how to safely use it correctly. Like any weightlifting or like any cardio exercise…form is important.
So here are some safety tips for the Kettlebell:
Stay within yourself – It is super important to be in control of the kettlebell…Do not let it control you! It is easy to lose form, so if you start getting tired and start to lose form, drop down to a lower weight or take a little break.
Always stay focused – When you are doing a kettlebell workout you need to be thinking and focusing on that workout. Do not be thinking of homework you need to get done, or how your boss pissed you off. Just stay focused on your workout.
DO NOT correct in mid-swing – If you are in the middle of an exercise and you are swinging the kettlebell, do not try to correct your form in the middle of the swing. Let the kettlebell take its course…wait for the kettlebell to come to a rest, and then correct your form on the next rep.
Lots of space – You never want to use the kettlebell in a tight area, or when people are walking around you. It is easy to knock someone out or break things if you do not have a lot of space.
Treat all kettlebells equally – Do not discriminate against your kettlebells. Whether they are light or heavy, you must treat all kettlebells with the same respect. It is easy to lose focus on the lighter kettlebells, but you must not make that mistake.
Build up to greatness – Do not try to be the world strongest man/woman right of the bat. Gradually build your strength and gradually learn the form before you start doing crazy amounts of reps.
Remember form is better than reps! Also, make sure to enjoy yourself. Kettlebells should be a fun exercise and the benefits are amazing.
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I’ve found that the most injuries happen when people attempt to do those swings and catches that needlessly stress the wrist. This would probably fit best in your principle of not correcting in mid-swing. These catches tend to appeal most to teenagers or martial arts enthusiasts who saw one too many movies.
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