I am debating wethear or not to buy kettleballs. Are they really effective as Pavel claims.
YES!!! They are.
Kettlebells are a lot of fun and are much more difficult to handle than dumbbells. I think that they are more effective than dumbbells for presses, snatches, swings etc.
A nice change of pace, but mostly a fad I’m afraid to say.
They are probably the single most effective way to train. Do a kettlebell workout and tell me one muscle in your body that does not get hit. Training with dumbbells and other “conventional weights” is easy compared to training with kettlebells. Sorry TEK, kettlebells aren’t a fad.
i was kind of curious about kettlebells too. i’m more interested in mass development, however.
You can do a few interesting things with them that’s hard to perform with a dumbbell, but in the end dumbbells are much more versitile. Unless you have a kettlebells going up to 100 in 5 pound increments I don’t see the point. Most people just have 2-3 due to cost and the adjustable ones pretty much suck and are uncomfortable with some exercises.
In the end, they’re okay for the “functional strength” guys but aren’t that great for real bodybuilding. Just one of many tools and no replacement for bars and dumbbells. They’re kinda hot right now but they’ve been around for 100 years or more. I don’t like probodybuilders but it’s interesting to note that not one has ever built his body using kettlebells. Again, they’re more of a tool (one of many!) for athletes. I think some people are drawn to them out of boredom mostly. Like TEK said, it’s kinda a fad and will pass.
And Mike, since you make money off of holding kettlebell seminars, I’m not sure your opinion counts.
In the end, kettlebells, like Pavel, are a novelty. Pretty interesting, a fun alternative, but no miracle they’re made out to be. In five years or less, you’ll all agree with me. 
What’s an exercise you can perform with a kettlebell but not a dumbbell? I’ve used both types for bent presses, snatches, windmills, etc. and I prefer the dumbbells. And it’s not b/c the kettlebells are harder.
I think it all depends on your fitness goals. You certainly don’t need them to build a good body or accomplish athletic goals. They are just another tool in your arsenal. I like kettlebells because they are a bit tougher to use than dumbbells, but for some exercises, they are better than using a dumbbell. And you can get a great workout using just a kettlebell. I have begun using my kettlebell again during my “off” days from traditional weight training. This is when I train for more explosive speed/strength and also get an intense workout great for fat burning. All you need is one to three workouts a week with a kettlebell, and you’ll feel great and increase your conditioning. But like I said, it’s not the only way you can do it.
To call Pavel a novelty shows your lack of true training knowledge. For example, Pavel’s PTP routine is fantastic way to build strength without gaining significant body weight. I love to train heavy, but I don’t always want to get gain weight or bulk up certain body parts. Pavel’s PTP program allows you to train this way. There’s really nothing novel about this. After training consistently for 10 years, I find this training ideal for my goals these days, a routine I’ve been looking for, for sometime.
In regards to Kettlebells, I own a few, and I really enjoy training with them. Don’t get me wrong, I would never substitute Deadlifts, Squats, Bench, Military , etc. for Kettlebell only training, but Kettlebells do have there place in an athletes training. Frankly, I find traditional bodybuilding routines to be much easier than exercise routines focusing on Heavy Compound movements and Kettlebell training (i.e. snatches, clean and jerks, etc.) Furthermore, KB’s allow you to train good exercises that are traditionally considered powerlifting or Qlympic lifting exercies for high reps. A great cardio and strength endurance type workout.
I’m in Highschool and I am going to college next year and want to make the track team and run the 100 meter dash. I am goign to be doing lots of olympic lifts and sprinting this summer.I am curios if kettleballs will be good for improving my speed.
Ist of all its KETTLEBELLS. Yes they are as effective as stated, its amazing that something so small can kick your ass so big. Get 2 of each(athough that can be expensive) and read Pavel’s “KB Challenge” to get some idea of the does and donts. I warm up with them and can tell you that I can get my heart rate up pretty high.