Kettlebell Training: Part 2
In part one of this series I discussed the kettlebell for what it is. The point was to remove all of the emotion and bias for the time being and simply identify its fundamental characteristics as a thing. Not and exercise. Not a philosophy. Just a thing that has both unique and similar properties to other things in the gym.
Today I want to start looking at a kettlebell as a tool for exercise. Oddly enough, the first thing to discuss is in no way unique to the kettle bell. First and foremost, GET RID of the name of an exercise and the rules that the name imposes on the tool. What do I mean? Kettlebells get a really bad wrap in some circles because many classic “kettle bell exercises” are awkward and compromising to joints and other tissues when performed according to the rules (i.e. paths of motions, ranges of motions, speed of motions, etc.) of the exercise name. That said, a barbell squat performed by the rules most texts and strength coaches assign to a “squat”, creates just as much of an issue for the barbell. My point is that the tool itself does not deserve blame for poor decisions about how to use it. One does not have to perform any exercise by the “rules” of the name. One can choose to modify the motions and positions of an exercise so that the tool and all of its properties are appropriate resistance or challenge to the body throughout. A Cossack squat or Pistol squat does not need to be performed so that you butt hits your heel. Range should be decided solely by careful analysis of many factors all related to the individual, NOT the name of the exercise. If the fanatics who don’t understand this (and there’s a good chance most of them don’t) won’t let you call it a “real” Cossack squat or a “real” Pistol squat, BFD. The name wasn’t important anyway. Having the knowledge and more to the point the wisdom to modify the official RKC® technique when it comes to training with kettlebells is the first step to making kettle bell training truly viable as a fitness enhancing workout.
