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Kettlebell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The kettlebell or girya (Russian: гиревой) is a traditional Russian cast iron weight looking somewhat like a cannonball with a handle. A favorite tool of the strongmen of old, the kettlebell has enjoyed a revival of late due largely to the efforts of strength and flexibility coach Pavel Tsatsouline and World Champion, World Record Holder Valery Fedorenko, with many companies now following suit, beginning to produce their own brands of kettlebells and kettlebell exercise programs.
A dumbbell with a suitcase-style handle attached may be used as an adjustable kettlebell for some of the exercise. This is generally unsafe, however, and due to the lack of circular structure and a flat bottom (as some dumbbells are rounded) it would not be useful for performing wrist catches or as a ground platform for renegade rows or planches. Much more recent adjustable kettlebell designs improve on the inherent tradeoffs and provide additional choices to people interested in kettlebell training.
Proponents of the kettlebell consider it to be the ultimate tool for all-around fitness and cross-training benefit.[citation needed] Kettlebell workouts increase strength, endurance, agility and balance, challenging both the muscular and cardiovascular system with dynamic, total-body movements.
The sport of kettlebell lifting or girevoy has been nationally recognized and played in Russia 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.
People who lift the kettlebells are know as kettlebell men or gireviks in Russia.