What are Kettle Bells?

The kettlebell or girya (Russian: гиря) is a cast iron weight looking somewhat like a cannonball with a handle. The kettlebell has become a popular exercise tool in the United States due largely to the efforts of strength and flexibility coach Pavel Tsatsouline and also by Kettlebell Sport world champion and world record holder Valery Fedorenko. Many companies produce their own brands of kettlebells and kettlebell exercise programs. Some modern kettlebells feature adjustable weights. Kettlebell workouts are intended to increase strength, endurance, agility and balance, challenging both the muscular and cardiovascular system with dynamic, total-body movements.

Kettlebell lifting has been nationally recognized and played throughout the world for decades, and its competitive exercises are the ‘Two Kettlebell Jerk’ and ‘One Kettlebell Snatch’; performed in that order for ten minutes each. The competitor with the highest overall score wins.

In recent years, kettlebells have become popular among athletes, especially mixed martial artists and those in the entertainment community. Kettlebells are purported to help athletes break through ruts/plateaus, and get their ‘core’ in top shape.