The Russian Kettlebell Fireside Chat

Most of you probably won't necessarily remember Franklin D. Roosevelt having his "Fireside Chats" during his presidency. (If you are old enough bless you because you can probably run circles around most of today's youth.) FDR did this to soften the government with which he ran and bring it on a level where it was like he was in your living room for a warm, no-pressure, comfortable chat. It was to be like if he was family or a really close friend stopping by for dinner. I want to have one of these today very briefly.

Let's have a Russian Kettlebell Style Fireside Chat. Step into my living room and let's have a little chat. I know some of you have questions and I want to provide the answers. These questions are basic, but my goal is to answer them with encouragement for you to increase your daily activity. The only way to get good at something is to practice is as much as possible. So with that said, the only way to get better at blasting fat and spiking conditioning is to practice activities that will facilitate those goals. 

So pull up a chair, have a seat, and make yourself at home- get comfortable. Have a green drink and perk your ears cause here we go...


Why Do I Use Kettlebells?

Full Answer: I use them because, based off of everything I have ever worked with regarding fitness and training tools, they are the best tool I have found to get the job done. Keep in mind that it is JUST tool. There are other tools such as barbells, dumbbells, sandbags, kitchen sinks, kegs, big tractor tires, Indian Clubs, Sloshpipes, ropes, chains, bands, stones, etc. You simply must choose the right tool for the job when fitness training.

If you wanted to drive nails into a board you wouldn't go at it with pliers. If you did it would probably move a little bit, but would move much better with a hammer. The same is true for other fitness movements. You can use many tools to perform the task, movement, exercise, etc., but only one tool is the best. I prefer the kettlebell.

A common concern for ladies is that they don't want to bulk up and think by lifting any sort of weight that they will do this.

So if you are female will lifting weight, with a focus on strength endurance, make you bulk up?

Quick answer: No.

Longer answer: It is a myth that you will bulk up. 3 things need to be in place for you to "bulk". First is to have a lot of testosterone, second is eat a lot of calories, and third is time which is dependent on the first two. Since you don't have a lot of testosterone and hopefully won't be consuming too many calories the last is not even a factor.

Do you need a gym to get in good shape?

Quick Answer: No.


Longer answer: You don't NEED a gym to get healthy and in shape. Honestly I haven't used one in a very long time for my own workouts even when I worked at one. I recommend resistance and interval training. The great thing about the Earth is that it's right out our front door. Open it, step outside, take a deep breath, soak up the sun, and begin your workout. Make it a routine. It is much, much better to exercise and be active outside among nature then within a stinky and busy four walked gym that has equipment that supplements real work. Grab a kettlebell and drive to a park with hills. That's all you need. Swing the bell, run the hills, then stretch or practice yoga. Inside of 30-60 min. your complete workout is done and you are on your way back home.

It is a great journey to get healthy and fit. Keep it interesting and fun. If you are unsure what to do then ask. Fitness Coaches like myself are always available as a resource for you. We won't bite. Ok well some of us definitely will. I'll let you know who they are later. That's a whole different type of post.

Let's leave today's chat by watching a really cool video of one of my fellow Gireviks (kettlebell practicioner) Stepf Dogman who shows how to have a great, great time Russian Kettlebell style by performing an hour set of one arm jerks with the 16kg (35lb) pro-grade bell. Notice how he is not bulky or a mass monster; however he gets a 35lb kettlebell overhead, using his entire body, over and over and over again for an entire hour which fully taxes and conditions his body. True strength does not come in big packages.

There are many elements here besides pure endurance. Much of it is mental endurance. People with A.D.D. no need for excuses. You find a way to get through it. If you don't think you can then the bell you are using isn't heavy enough and/or you aren't going fast enough.

This focuses on all aspects of the body and mind connection. That's the beauty of long timed sets. Reps matter not, but what does is the nervous system, mental toughness, and strength endurance to name a few elements where you'll grow.

Sure beats the elliptical for a boring hour. :)