Although the kettlebell both a tool that appeared in the sports world with the competitions of Girevoy Sport in its conformation of Gyria (Russian name indicating the racing version), in the last decade it has taken hold in all physical-sports contexts, from commercial gyms to professional sports clubs of various disciplines, to see some applications even in functional rehabilitation and post-traumatic recovery centres.

The reason for this success is given by extraordinary intrinsic technical characteristics of this tool, as simple and rough as it is effective and even "innovative" in the eyes of someone.

The decentralized mass with respect to the handle makes it an extremely powerful tool versatile, from use in traditional weight training exercises (Squat, Press, Overhead Squat) to the most representative ballistic exercises of Kettlebell Training (Swing, Clean, Snatch, Jerk, Push Press).

It is precisely this fundamental characteristic that encompasses all its essence: the possibility of developing wide trajectories, at the maximum power that can be expressed and in complete safety, while developing great gripping strength at the same time.

In which sports does Kettlebell Training find applications?

In all those who need to coordination, stability, force, speed, power e resistance. If we add the joint mobility which is indirectly conditioned in the eccentric phases of ballistic exercises, and the proprioception in the control of a highly unstable tool along wide trajectories that tend to unbalance the body and consequently affect its ability to control along the axis of its own center of gravity, it is easy to explain how Kettlebell Training becomes a valid tool for the conditioning of the coordinating and conditional capacities of every sport.

Because the kettlebell integrates perfectly even in training aimed at aesthetic fitness general?

Whether you are a professional bodybuilder or a simple workout enthusiast who wants to improve your body composition, this piece of equipment allows you to fill your gaps in strength and stamina, going to make up for the shortcomings of traditional weight room and cardio fitness training. In fact, Kettlebell Training falls within the more general concept of Functional Training, which aims to involve the whole body in every single exercise, with the result of creating an impact of neuro-muscular and metabolic strength far superior to traditional sector training. This translates to stronger muscles, with higher quality and a leaner and more performing physique.

Postural and post-traumatic rehabilitation

At the base of the postural and post-injury recovery there is full awareness of the person's body structure and movements in space. This goes through a job that in addition to relying on global joint mobility of the body, must then get to develop a new postural structure both in statics and above all in dynamics. The person must acquire control of his neutral posture and must be able to move in normal daily activities and sports, without creating imbalances in body areas not used for that given movement. Having an instrument with the characteristics of the Kettlebell, is an excellent aid for a Physiotherapist or a Personal Trainer, during the phase of building stability, coordination and strength of the person, characteristics that must be trained hand in hand with joint mobility and proprioception, in order to achieve effective and long-lasting recovery over time.

Underlying these extraordinary applications there is obviously one perfect technical knowledge of the tool, its characteristics and functionality. The technique of exercises with tools such as kettlebells cannot be improvised, under penalty of not only not achieving the set objectives, but also a high probability of incurring injuries during their use.

Anyone who wants to approach training with these tools must absolutely rely on instructors who have the technical and professional skills to adapt the applications to every type of request and specificity of the person, and who are able to transfer the adequate technical skills in the execution of the exercises in the most effective way possible and in a short time.

Technique (respecting the biomechanics of the human body), aims, educational progressions and training planning are the pillars of an instructor's sports training and even more so if you want appreciate the kettlebell not only as a tool in itself, but as a real training system.

by Emilio Troiano

Master Trainer of WTA International Functional Training Academy

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