You all know about my love affair with kettlebells by now.
I was thinking today (again) how great of a tool kettlebells are for new moms…or anyone else who is strapped for time. Obviously I am working out with kettlebells even more than usual lately since I’m training for the RKC, but even putting that goal aside, I honestly don’t know what I would do without these magical cast iron balls (please remove your mind from the gutter).
I realize it sounds pathetic (or at least overly dramatic) to say that I don’t know what I would do without kettlebells, but as someone who used to be a runner, and then a gym addict, I definitely would have been forced to miss an awful lot more workouts once I had CJ if I hadn’t discovered kettlebell training. I realize I’m one lucky lady and have an incredible gym at my house (Skill of Strength is based out of our training studio in our house until we open our gym) loaded with kettlebells and other training equipment so this gives me an advantage and very easy access to kettlebells. However, even before we had a gym I would work out in our unfinished basement or outside with just some kettlebells and a pull up bar.
My top 5 reasons that I think kettlebells rock for new moms (or busy individuals)!
1. They’re portable. Heavy, but portable. Train inside. Train outside. Bring them in your car (just be safe and strap them in!). Train in a hotel room. Train on vacation.
2. You don’t need to go to the gym or hire a babysitter. You can train with kettlebells as your little one naps or plays! CJ sits in his bouncy seat or plays on a blanket sometimes when I’m finishing up my workouts. (Don’t mind the blurry pic from my phone!)
3. You can strengthen your entire body instead of working one muscle at a time. You can build strength and increase your heart rate at the same time, eliminating the need for lengthy ‘cardio’workouts. No more hour long sessions on the elliptical…how’s that for efficient?
4. Every kettlebell exercise works your core. What new mom is not looking to strengthen her core? Remember when I looked like this? You can bet I needed (and still need) some strengthening where that big ol’ baby bump was!
5. Once you learn the basics, you’ll have endless workouts right at your fingertips. You can easily adjust your workouts to be longer or shorter, more strength focused or more conditioning focused, easier or harder, etc.
Kettlebell friends – any additional reasons why kettlebells rock for busy people?
I was fortunate enough during my pregnancy to meet and train with the Yoana Teran, author of the Kettlebell Mommy book http://www.kettlebellmommy.com
Yoana is an RKC and Strong First Team Leader and pioneered the scientific application of kettlebell training for pregnant women. I gave birth to my twin girls with no complications and I regained my pre-pregnancy weight in 40 days. I highly recommend Yoana’s book to everyone on this forum.
This is a great article. You looked amazing during your pregnancy!
While I am not currently a mother, or ttc for that matter, I’ve been researching kettlebell fitness as an effective tool for new moms. Among other things, I’ve written about kettlebells as effective >a href=”http://www.kettlebellbodyshop.com/how-exercise-helps-new-moms-and-dads-deal-with-postpartum-depression/”>exercises for postpartum depression. I hope to try for the RKC within a few years time.
This is a great article. You looked amazing during your pregnancy!
While I am not currently a mother, or ttc for that matter, I’ve been researching kettlebell fitness as an effective tool for new moms. Among other things, I’ve written about kettlebells as effective >a href=”http://www.kettlebellbodyshop.com/how-exercise-helps-new-moms-and-dads-deal-with-postpartum-depression/”>exercises for postpartum depression. I hope to try for the RKC within a few years time.
Thanks for this post! My husband and i were really into crossfit. B/c of an injury for him and pregnancy for me, we’re looking more into kettlebell training now.I love all the advantages you pointed out!! Our babe is 2 wks old so I think I need a little more time (super tired and still sore). I look forward to using your blog to help jumpstart working out again!:)
Congrats on your new little one!!!
That’s fantastic!
Definitely look into kettlebells (all the reasons above apply to your hubby too).
As I mentioned to a few of the gals above, check out dragondoor.com and try to find an RKC in your area just to learn the basics (to avoid future injuries and make sure that you’re working out efficiently and effectively). Let me know if you need any help finding someone.
Help me, please! I own a Kettlebell (20lbs) and use to workout with it with a trainer. That’s my problem, a trainer use to tell me what to do. Any tips on where to re-start? I am also afraid that 20lbs will be too much. I HAVE to do something new to get these stubborn last pounds off for good!
20 pounds is most likely not too much to start. Most people actually use kettlebells that are way too light an in turn end up using different parts of the body than are actually intended. For example with kettlebell swings, you should be using your hips to pop the kettlebell, but if the kettlebell you choose is too light, you’ll most likely use your arms much more than you should to lift the bell.
I’d highly recommended a few sessions with an RKC in your area to get the form down and learn the basics. Then you’ll be good to go! If you go to dragondoor.com you can find an instructor in your area. There’s also some great resources (books/DVDs) available!
I’m going to need to learn how to use these…because I know I love a killer workout AND will have a baby belly to tighten…
Yes…you should definitely check it out! Go to dragondoor.com and find an RKC in your area. They can help you make sure that your form is correct and you won’t hurt yourself. Once you know the basics you’ll be able to do all kinds of workouts!
Everyone is strapped for time these days. It’s important to make the most out of your workout time. Kettlebells are great for the convenience factor.
Exactly!
I’ve never tried kettlebells but I am interested! You can’t beat the convenience factor! Post-baby I really want to concentrate on yoga and strength training before I get back to higher mileage.
Good idea! Running for me wasn’t comfortable for awhile after giving birth anyway. In fact it’s still not even as comfortable as it used to be!