Any of you do the Russian kettlebell swing? Perhaps maybe tried it?
Excellent! The original movement is a swing to or about shoulder height. This is the Russian swing, the American version is a swing up almost overhead. From what I have read the Russian version is actually better, less chance for injury.
I use them as I would a dumbell. But as for kettlebell specific routines, yes, I do some. Racked squats are really tough! Halos are also great for the shoulders.
Kettle bell can have some benefaction.
In general wont work, They have to stop. Domonz X is ready to lead the charge.
I haven't tried doing the kettleball swings. I've seen them done at the gym. Yes, the Russian version seems much safer. And my wife does the Russian style at the gym and at home. I do believe she enjoys doing them much better at the gym with an audience. She's got a strong exhibitionistic side.
Alright... let's talk about Russian kettlebell swings.
First of all, this is a momentum based movement. You're using the most powerful muscles in your body to move a relatively small amount of weight. The larger the reliance on momentum to move the weight, the less actual work is being performed by the muscles.
For some reason these type of exercises are trendy these days. (Like those stupid swinging chin-ups they do in Crossfit)
So the first part of the movement is accomplished by extension of the hips and knees via the gluteus maximus and quadriceps respectively. Like I said, those are the largest and strongest muscles in the body. Then you rely on momentum to complete the movement because the anterior deltoid and coracobrachialis (which perform frontal glenohumeral flexion) are not strong enough to lift the weight.
So on one hand you are using a weight that does very little for your legs, and a weight that is too heavy for your shoulders. You are moving the weight from point A to point B, but you are doing it in a way that puts very little stress on any of the working muscles.
So what are they good for?
Well, if you're just looking to burn calories or using them in some kind of circuit where the overall goal is generic energy expenditure then I guess they can provide that.
Any questions?
One more thing; before anyone puts stock in anything I or anyone else has to say about this movement just do a Google search on "Benefits of the Russian Kettlebell swing" and spend some time reading what professional athletes, trainers and doctors say about it.
You might also do a search on "What doctors say about the Russian Kettlebell swing" as well as its history.
Before starting any regiment like this talk to your doctor.
The kettlebell swings are just one part of my wife's routine. I don't have any interest in adding that to my routine. I get plenty of cardio already. For muscles, at this time l work out to maintain the strength and muscle tone l have, not get any bigger.