Health Minute: Kettlebells

A TOOL ONCE USED BY FARMERS TO WEIGH THEIR PRODUCE HAS EVOLVED INTO A POPULAR PIECE OF EXERCISE EQUIPMENT, IT'S CALLED A KETTLEBELL.

It's basically a cannon ball with a handle on it.

ONLY IN THIS CASE THE BALL IS USED IN EVERY DAY WORKOUTS AT THE GYM.

PAUL RODGERS, A STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH, SAYS KETTLEBELLS ARE DIFFERENT FROM CONVENTIONAL, HAND-HELD WEIGHTS.

Free weights are great means for functional integrative exercises, but a kettlebell, because the leverage is different, the force production and the inertia is different.

RODGERS EXPLAINS KETTLEBELLS CAN BE USED FOR RESISTANCE TRAINING, IMPROVING FLEXIBILITY AND AEROBIC EXERCISE.

KEN LEAR STARTED USING THE WEIGHTS LAST YEAR.

Physically, I've gotten stronger, agility wise, I feel that I'm able to move better.

RODGERS RECOMMENDS INITIALLY WORKING WITH A TRAINER TO LEARN SOME OF THE PROPER MOVEMENTS TO AVOID INJURY.

HIS STUDENTS SAY IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO BENEFIT FROM A ROUTINE.

I am now strengthening my legs, my core muscles, and my back using the kettlebells.

A THROW-BACK TO THE OLD DAYS, WITH MODERN RESULTS.  

FOR TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, I'M JUDY FORTIN.