The Kettlebell Nightmare

[Black Knight]

I know that this is a BWE forum,so this is not an endorsement of KB of any kind.Instead its just a nearly exttremly unfortunate event that still haunts me to this day.So me and my boxing coach and another guy were having a training session at my house about a year ago and at the end of practice we were doing different exercise stations for conditoning.One of the stations was kettlebell swings.And my buddy Lee Doss was swining away when my 2 year old ran right in front of him.The kettlebell missed by inches and he was fine,but ill tell you what my heart skipped a beat and i still carry that horrible memory with me to this day.

The reason i point this out is that i cant ever see doing DVR,DSR,Isos or even PC for that matter and having the same type of unfortunate event happening.So not only is Johns method the best as far as your own personal safety goes but its also the safest for those that are around you while your doing them.

Peace

[hollyweed88]

Hello Black Knight. I have read many of your threads and posts since you arrived. I have enjoyed almost all and have learned from almost all of them.
Once again, you make me see something from a different perspective. I have never thought of the safety of others as I work out. I am usually alone and at home. Situations arise, occasionally, which can be a safety hazard because of me. Thanks for opening my eyes.

[CA Fan]

I've never used kettlebells, but I've often wondered what their advantage could be. I don't see how anyone could swing/lift those things without bashing your wrists or forearms.

[A1C Evans]

I've never used kettlebells, but I've often wondered what their advantage could be. I don't see how anyone could swing/lift those things without bashing your wrists or forearms.

I read an article in a magazine the other day (I just pick them up to browse not buy them anymore) and it was about kettle bell training. It said that the swinging of the kettlebell around the hand and landing it on the forearm helps toughen that area and harden it. This was cited as an added benefit for those who are combat athletes or contact sport participants to help condition this surface for impact. Im not sure about how much benefit for that they would give but, thats what the article said. Sorry I can't give you a reference, dont even remember what magazine it was.


Jared

[Royce]

I have never been convinced that the kettlebell offers anything special for weight trainees. In my estimation, it is a hyped gimmick to generate revenue. And a lot of people have developed needless minor injuries when using the kettlebell.

[Andy62]

Kettlebells are "ballistic" and can really do a job on your joints. I trained with kettlebells for a while before I discovered Bronze Bow. I never had any joint problems,but they really beat up my forearms until I learned how to release on the cleans. I really think they are pretty limited in their benefits and you can't develop strength in as many directions as you can with Transformetrics.

[CA Fan]

I It said that the swinging of the kettlebell around the hand and landing it on the forearm helps toughen that area and harden it.

Personally, I don't see how hurting yourself can do anything but hurt. If you bruise your arm, the last thing you should be doing is continuing to hit that bruise. But I'm not a martial artist, so that's just my opinion.

[Hopeful]

I agree completely. Kettle Bells are a limited form of exercise. No where near as all rounded as Transformetrics. I trained also with KBs in the past and experinenced no where near the benefit I experience with Transformetrics.

I also train around my pets (I own one cat who I love dearly as a very good friend). I do not have children as of yet. When I train with the Tee's my cat will often get underneath the handles and even when I slip, which is far less frequently now, I have never hurt my cat. It is always a controled slip. But if I still exercised with KBs I would be fearful of using them around innocent loved ones. When going quickly or slowly with them, KBs are heavy and dangerous. KBs are not a good form or safe form of exercise.

[John Peterson]

Hey A1C Evans,


The people that write those articles about kettle bells toughening the forearms are fools with a vested interest (and lifelong strength and fitness ain't it). Fools in the same sense as the Muay Thai fighters of old that kicked their shins against coconut trees in order to toughen them. Did it work? You bet. But if they did it too long, over time it crippled them for life. And one other bit of information, the reason kettlebells were ever replaced by dumbells to begin with, was because of the injuries that were sustained as a result of the Kettle Bells. Pavel, reinvented the Kettle Bell thingy to make money and believe me, that is one former commie that really thrives under capitalism as a result.

---John Peterson

[Nathan]

I agree Hopeful. I would not like to hit my poor little dog with one of those kettle bells (it would squish her more than likely). So you are right Black Knight Transformetrics is extremely safe compared to other methods. So THANK YOU JOHN.

---Nathan---

[Black Knight]

Once again guys i want to point out that obvously this post was not intended to endorse KB in any way.I reitirate this so that John understands that im not trying to be direspectful by starting a topic that goes against his system and beliefs on training.Due to this id appreciate it if this post doesnt turn into discusion on the benefits of that type of training.There are plenty of other forums namely Dragon Door that disscuss these things.I posted this just for the reason of pointing out the safety benefits of training the Transformetrics way vs Kettlebells.

[Black Knight]

Hello Black Knight. I have read many of your threads and posts since you arrived. I have enjoyed almost all and have learned from almost all of them.
Once again, you make me see something from a different perspective. I have never thought of the safety of others as I work out. I am usually alone and at home. Situations arise, occasionally, which can be a safety hazard because of me. Thanks for opening my eyes.

Thanks you for the kind words HW.

[kelbiz]

Forget the Kettlebells!
As Christopher Walken so eloquently put it.."I need more cowbell!":cow:

[John Peterson]

Hey Black Knight ,

I did not misunderstand at all. I think it's a great post. But one thing about Kettlebells that most people don't understand is that kettlebells were used by Cossacks to tie the reins of their horses to instead of a hitching post. I was only natural for the Cossacks to have contests to see who could lift it the greatest number of times. But that is not how they trained.

---John Peterson

[Black Knight]

Hey Black Knight ,

I did not misunderstand at all. I think it's a great post. But one thing about Kettlebells that most people don't understand is that kettlebells were used by Cossacks to tie the reins of their horses to instead of a hitching post. I was only natural for the Cossacks to have contests to see who could lift it the greatest number of times. But that is not how they trained.

---John Peterson John i was pretty sure that you understood what i was trying to do with this post.It was more for the rest of the guys.I just want them to understand my stance on it so that the post doesnt detiriate into a whole Kettle bell discussion wich i belive whould be disrespectful to you.

Thanks John.

[kong2]

A long time ago I was one of the ones who fell for the kettlebell hype. Little did I know that I would do more harm to my already damaged body. As a matter of fact, it was frustration with using kettlebells that got me on the internet looking for a new way to exercise that wouldnt do more damage to my body and thats how I found Mr.Petersons website and I havent looked back since!! With over 60 surgeries already and facing at least 2 more in the coming months, I can still workout everyday using isometrics and the Miracle seven and feel NO PAIN anywhere and get results.For someone who is in pain 24/7 that is truly a miracle and Mr.Peterson and everyone on the forum will always have a special place in my heart. With sincere gratitude,Lou,(Kong2).

[hollyweed88]

kong2,
When I feel sorry for myself, for all the health problems I experience, I will think of you and 60 operations. I will know that I do not have it so bad.
Best of health to you, kong2.

[kelbiz]

A long time ago I was one of the ones who fell for the kettlebell hype. Little did I know that I would do more harm to my already damaged body. Lou,(Kong2).

Lou;
Too bad that you were injured. You mentioned 'hype' and it's so true that people just follow the crowd with whatever is the latest flave of the month. If only they did a little research, used some common sense and asked some questions. That's why this forum is great to share info and also post warnings about potentially harmful methods of working out.

Jack

[chris64]

The gym I go to has kettlebells but they keep them under lock and key and a trainer will only use them on one on one basis. This sounds fine but not one of the instructors appear to have certification in using them! There is a wall at the gym on which there are photos of the trainers and their qualifications but none of the dozen or so trainers as anything of that listed next to their names. I get the impression they have persuaded the management to buy them as they are the latest fad. What a recipe for disaster.

[gruntbrain]

I've made soft KBs( ankle weights secured to a large ring) to address some of the KB safety issues. Some may find occasional ballistic work to be a nice change of pace; a heartrate monitor will verify strength/endurance effectiveness of weighted ballisticsl

[A1C Evans]

Hey A1C Evans,


The people that write those articles about kettle bells toughening the forearms are fools with a vested interest (and lifelong strength and fitness ain't it). Fools in the same sense as the Muay Thai fighters of old that kicked their shins against coconut trees in order to toughen them. Did it work? You bet. But if they did it too long, over time it crippled them for life. And one other bit of information, the reason kettlebells were ever replaced by dumbells to begin with, was because of the injuries that were sustained as a result of the Kettle Bells. Pavel, reinvented the Kettle Bell thingy to make money and believe me, that is one former commie that really thrives under capitalism as a result.

---John Peterson

I agree, I don't believe what that article said either but it is an example of ways that people can promote kettlebell equipment.

[budgiefan]

What John, and many of you, have said is true - the kettlebell is at best just another weighted form of exercise and at worst destructive to the bones and joints.

It's intresting to me that, one by one, the old timey exercise methodes have resurged or are resurging - strands (rubber or metal) kettlebells, indian clubs, etc.

The only one that hasn't really hit the mainstream is bodyweight training, because there's no expensive equipment to sell.

I truly believe we are all standing on the prceipice of the bodyweight training revolution.

[Huskerdarren]

around forever. They've gained wide popularity through direct marketing in the last year. For many, it's a fad and will be replaced by something newer and better. They'll always have their fans though. I've never used them, so can't comment one way or the other. It's basically a dumbell with a handle to me.

I guess the thing about bodyweight that is most appealing is the simplicity. I can go downstairs in my underwear and a t shirt and crank out a bunch of pushups and M7s in 10 minutes, the time it would take to drive to the gym. No equipment to prepare, store or clean up after. There is beauty in simplicity and the results speak for themselves.