Kettlebell Craze
June 3, 2022
If you keep up with #fitstagram, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a niche group of trainers and fitness experts who are obsessed with kettlebells. Some of our own trainers have caught on to this “kettlebell craze” - so we’re talking with them to figure out why they love training with kettlebells and why you might want to, too!
What sets kettlebells apart from exercising with weights such as dumbbells or barbells, is their unique shape. The uneven weight distribution will cause your core to be more engaged and over time, improve your balance. Starting their history in Russia as a useful tool to measure crops, kettlebells eventually began to be used for recreational use and strength competitions, including circus acts featuring the “World’s Strongest Man” in Europe in the late 19th century.
So, how does the history of the kettlebell translate to more modern fitness training? “The short answer? It’s FUN!” said Chelsea trainer, Gaby Fonseca. “Ultimately, training should be fun for us, otherwise it's really difficult to stay consistent.” While training with kettlebells can be a fun challenge, it’s also a great workout that allows you to get the benefits of strength, cardio and conditioning all in one workout. According to Brooklyn trainer, Chris Ocejo, working with kettlebells can mean a more efficient workout too. “I can get a full-body workout with minimal equipment, and with just a few movements almost anywhere,” said Chris. “You can work on endurance, strength, power, and functionality all with one tool.” “Once you solidify the fundamental movements, you can begin to pair them together in a way that challenges both muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance in a way that’s difficult to do with any other modality,” said Stamford personal trainer Eddie Lemonier.
In addition to being a fun, efficient and effective workout, people who train with kettlebells seem to have formed a supportive community. “It’s a tight-knit community. There are various kettlebell certifications that have strict testing requirements to achieve. The time, effort and sweat needed to pass these certifications is what builds these communities,” said Chris. The internet, Instagram specifically, has connected this niche group of fitness enthusiasts. “Instagram fitness, being as omnipresent as it is, has also become a hub for showcasing kettlebell movements and flows which has further brought attention to the tool,” said Chris. "Even though a lot of us don't live close to each other, we're always engaging with one another online through tagging and commenting on our posts and stories on Instagram," said Gaby.
Post-workout group photo with trainers inside and outside of Chelsea Piers who are passionate about training with kettlebells.
So, what’s the best way to get started with kettlebells? The best way to lay the foundation for proper kettlebell use is to work with one of our certified trainers - you can click here to browse all of our personal trainers to find the right coach for you! Keep an eye on our events calendar and emails for kettlebell-specific workshops, too. (Including this Intermediate/Advanced workshop in Stamford with Coach Monica on Monday, June 13!) They tend to fill up fast, so be sure to secure your spot as soon as you see the event listing.
If you’d rather start on your own, we have a great Kettlebell Foundations course on YouTube with Coach Eddie to help you learn the basics! Click below to check out the playlist. And don’t forget to subscribe to Chelsea Piers Fitness on YouTube to check out our latest workouts, fitness tips + more!
Made it to the end of this article? If you’re a current member, email our fitness director, Mike Nicholson, (mnicholson@chelseapiers.com) and mention the word kettlebell to have a complimentary training session added to your account!