Kettlebells: Centuries-old fitness tool a hot new trainer

Published 5:25 pm Friday, September 19, 2008

A growing number of people are forgoing Bowflex machines, trampoline classes and “Dancing with the Stars” workouts in favor of a back-to-basics strategy.

They’re emphasizing traditional exercises and old-fashioned tools such as kettlebells — something like a cannonball with a handle.

The fitness tool, used for centuries in Russia, has become one of the hottest new workouts in the United States. They range from about $25 to $300, depending on the weight and shipping costs.

Credit the kettlebell boom to Pavel Tsatsouline, who was a special forces trainer in the former Soviet Union and once a nationally ranked kettlebell lifter.

The fitness guru developed the world’s first kettlebell instructor certification program.

Shoreline firefighter Tom Corrgian was among the first to train with Tsatsouline, and he touts the benefits for all body types and fitness levels.

Corrigan, who trains and teaches, has produced a beginner’s DVD, available for $20 on his Web site, bluecollarfitness.blogspot.com.

Moves can be fast, such as swinging a kettlebell between the legs and popping it explosively, or slower, such as the press, said Mark Cheng, a Russian Kettlebell Challenge Team Leader.

Some kettlebell exercises, like the kossack, even resemble stretches, he said.

“This is sort of like yoga on speed,” Cheng said.

Said Corrigan: “Kettlebells is for anyone.”

Learn more

Find more information on kettlebell workouts, equipment and costs online. Here are a few Web sites to get you started:

Local firefighter Tom Corrigan, a kettlebell expert, trainer and blogger: bluecollarfitness.blogspot.com/

Seattle Russian Kettlebell Club: www.powerathletesmag.com/archives/seattlerkc/index.html

Health and fitness site: fitkettlebell.com

Equipment: www.kettlebellinc.com/