The Scottish Kettlebell?

Since the resurrection of kettlebell training around six years ago, many have argued over the origins of this simple but very effective training tool.
Many claim it to be Russian, some Scottish others will have it that it has its origins in ancient Greece or even Mongolian in its history.

There are many different outlooks and many variations spring to mind.

The Scots claim it to be from the ancient highland games or curling competitions which date back thousands of years since the Picts who are indigenous to Scotland roamed and lived within its borders. Their kin folk the Celts lay claim along the same lines to the heritage that is the kettlebell.
Highland strongman to this very day still throw a curling stone type weight over a high bar and practice various techniques with this type of weight.

Ancient scripts from the time of Genghis Khan show that during downtime his strongmen would fill kettles with weights (normally rocks) and through them or lift them as sport before and after battle.
Ancient Greeks and Romans used rounded type cannonball weights to complete fetes of strength during training and competitions. In today’s climate young Greeks start lifting the might bell from the age of seven in order to compete later in life.

If you look back at Victorian strongmen pictures you will see them with the old Thompson dumbbell and kettlebells in their hands, people like Eugene Sandow, William Bankier (Apollo the Scottish Hercules) Louis Cyr (Canadian strongman) The Saxon brothers (German trio of strongmen) all of them used kettlebells during their routines.

Other historians say that the Russian’s can lay claim to the kettlebell in that, originally, kettlebells were counter-weights used in Russian markets. Country folk started throwing them around and eventually they became very popular in Russia as a training tool.

In 1913 the Russian magazine Hercules reported “Not a single sport develops our muscular strength and bodies as well as kettlebell athletics.” A Russian strong man was referred to as a kettlebell man –girevik. Girya is Russian for Kettlebell. Although kettlebells develop strength, a kettlebell-trained body is not bulky.
The modern day Sport of Kettlebells was introduced by the Russians in the early 1970’s and they have developed the art or sport unsurpassed until the collapse of the former Soviet Union, and Pavel Tsatsouline is often referred to as the father of the modern day kettlebell revolution.

Close relationships between Scotland and Russia date back to the middle ages. Multitudes of Scots flocked to the vast Russian Motherland that was ripe with opportunity and potential for a better life. Could this be the missing link in kettlebell lore?
The origins don’t really matter it’s the concept, mindset, ethos and training the makes this little cannon ball type weight so effective and user friendly.

Whether you are experienced or a beginner the kettlebell will offer you something that no dumbbell, barbell or resistance machine can and that is the
Ultimate all over body workout

Most often a single kettlebell is used, but for certain exercises two may be used. A good workout can be aerobic, intense, and ballistic. They are not suitable for those beginning weight training or conditioning program. Gradual weight increases with proper control, technique, and form must be mastered in due time.

Although injuries with kettlebells are rare poor technique can damage wrists, arms, elbows, shoulders, and your back. Perfect technique and form is essential to safe workouts. Exercises are varied and vast and the kettlebell will target every muscle group inclusive of stabilizing muscles during your workouts. Exercises vary from one and two-arm swings, finger presses, and unique combined moves like the Turkish Getups, windmill, and figure of 8’s to name a few.

Kettlebells generally come in a variety of defined weights. Traditionally, Men usually start with a 35lb (16kg) weight and women usually start with an 18lb (8kg) weight. If you are an experienced overhead lifter, these might be increased to 44lb (20kg) for men and 26lb (12kg) for women. Russian weights are traditionally measured in “poods” with one pood equal to 36lbs. In todays society you owing to the high pressure from fitness companies’ weights can start as low as 2.5kg (complete waste of time!).

The kettlebell is now engrained in the fitness industry once again, and is not a fad as many would have you believe.
If you have never tried weight training, or are bored of dumbbells and the factory that is the gym, go and beg borrow or buy a kettlebell and start swinging, you will unleash a new found desire to train.