Can kettlebells replace traditional weight training?

Can kettlebells replace traditional weight training?

Good question!!

In some cases kettlebells can replace a traditional weight training routine and sometimes be even better.

However ,this all depends on what you are trying to achieve with your efforts. No doubt there is no number one form of physical conditioning. Aerobic, strength and explosive qualities can be built using many varying modes of conditioning.

If your goal is to lose fat and gain functional muscle then I believe you could replace your trad. weights sessions with kettlebells as KB's are a superb tool for aerobic conditioning due to the constant repping and medium sized weights that can be used. Don't get me wrong you can turn a bog standard bodybuilding routine into an aerobic fat burning session from hell if you want, but kettlebells lend themselves to this type of session because you don't need to keep stopping and adjusting loads.

With a little imagination most trad. exercises can (in some way or other) be exchanged for a kettlebell alternative (even squats) as you they hit every major muscle group.

I personally wouldn't recommend a full switch to kettlebells if your sport demands a high level of explosive power and strength. I would however recommend mixing some kb's into your routine to add variety and new dimensions, but not a full switch over. The main reason for this being there is no substitute for heavy bench, squat and deadlift. This effect cannot be replicated in any other way.

Being a shot putter and highland games athlete myself have found myself with limited time recently with the birth of my first child and have hence being almost exclusively training with kettlebells at work on lunch times and the odd session in the dining room at home just keep things ticking over. My findings are that I can maintain my strength levels pretty easily with swings, snatches and presses.

The take home message is if you're not a competitive athlete then give sole kettlebell training a whirl (some people find huge increases in strength from bombarding themselves with kettlebells) you've got nothing to lose.



Check out mypost on kettlebells and powerlifting for mixing up the two.

can kettlebells replace traditional weight training