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Is there a difference between kettlebell and dumbbell workouts?
By Christina | February 20, 2009
Much of the confusion regarding kettlebell workouts comes from simply not understand how to work with the kettlebell. People compare the workouts assuming they are performed in much the same manner when in reality they are nothing alike. The kettlebell is not used at all as a dumbbell would be. Many people make the critical mistake of attempting to use kettlebells as if they were traditional weights.
Typical dumbbell workouts are single-plane static workouts meaning you are lifting and controlling the body targeting a limited number of muscles. It is normally a linear function through a direct line of applied force. There is generally no momentum in a dumbbell workout.
It is common for the goal of bodybuilding to be muscle hypertrophy or an increase in muscle size. The goal of kettlebell training is to use all three planes of motion simultaneously, the sagittal plane, the frontal plane and the transverse plane. This means each exercise may be engaging literally hundreds of muscles at once.
Kettlebell lifters generally have excellent functional strength without bulky size because the workouts produce muscle that is incredibly dense and strong without bulky size. The kettlebell directly correlates to real life movements and therefore should be applied to your workout routine but be sure to consult a physician and a personal trainer who is properly trained in kettlebells.
Topics: Personal Training, que-ans |
