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Know your gym equipment: The Kettlebell

Know your gym equipment: The Kettlebell

haped like a cannonball with a handle, it originated in Russia in the 17th Century to weigh crops but the farmers down there who used it found that lifting those things made them quite strong too.

Written by Nirmalya Dutta |Updated : June 10, 2014 3:12 PM IST

gym equipmentThere are so many different machines and equipment in the gym these days that it can get overwhelming for a newcomer. In this series, we look at some of the most common gym equipments found in your common, garden or average gym. Today we look at the kettlebell; an ingenious weight training equipment that has become ubiquitous in gyms. Shaped like a cannonball with a handle, it originated in Russia in the 17th Century to weigh crops but the farmers down there who used it found that lifting those things made them quite strong too.

Pros: The kettlebell is different from the barbells and dumbbells since its weight is off-centre. According to fitness trainer Arnav Sarkar, 'This makes your core and grip work a lot harder than it would in standard weights. In fact, it is often said that even a 20-minute kettlebell workout can provide better results than many other protocols that you have working out for 60 minutes or more. The device is also very nifty and can be stored anywhere.' The kettlebell also combines the benefits of cardio and weight training which makes it an all-in-one workout.

Cons: The kettlebell only allows you to do so many exercises and there will be no way to do isolation exercises that barbells, dumbbells or machines can offer. The chances of injuring yourself are also higher since there are few trainers who are familiar with the device.

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Like other weight training exercises, it's important for you to move on to heavier weights and more reps so that your body doesn't get used to it.

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