Woman Lifting KettlebellIf you have never heard of a kettlebell before, you aren’t alone. You might have seen them lying around Future Fitness or other health clubs and wondered where they come from. They’ve been around for a while, but are just starting to catch in the US. You might be hesitant; you have a full exercise routine worked out already and these appear complicated. Don’t worry, they’re very simple to use and will add a tremendous amount to your workout training.

First, what is it?: Good question, kettlebells look like a bowling ball with a handle at the top for you to grab on to. They come in all different weights from 2lbs to 100lbs.

How do I use it?: It’s pretty simple, you can use it like a free weight, but unlike dumbbells that only have a specific range of motion, kettlebells allow for a wider range of motion for you to use. This gives you a better aerobic workout and gets you to use your whole body to build muscle, strengthen your core and build up your stability all at once.

Getting started: When you are first starting out, it’s always a good idea to ask a future fitness trainer or a staff member at your local gym for help. Kettlebells can be dangerous if used improperly, so getting advice and training is crucial.

Why they’re great: Kettlebells mimic movement that we use every day without even realizing it. They work the muscles the same ways as swinging grocery bags, getting yourself off the floor or picking up a baby. The kettlebell tones and strengthens all your muscles at once.

I hope this has been helpful and you’ll contact some of the friendly staff at Future Fitness next time you go to the gym and ask them about setting up a time to learn how to maximize a workout using a kettlebell.