How to Lose Belly Fat – 3 Simple Steps…
One specific subject that often comes up in fitness is how to lose belly fat. Whether you need to lose a spare tire or get rid of a little poochy belly, the prescription is just a different degree of the same formula. First though, I must tell you that losing fat is not a selective process. You don’t get to choose where it comes off. However, chances are that the first place it will come off is the place it needs to come off the most. So if you really need to lose belly fat, that will likely be where you notice your first results.
To keep things simple and still get results, here are three basic elements of a plan to lose fat.
- Eat fewer calories.
- Burn calories with cardio.
- Keep and tone your muscle with resistance training, with emphasis on your abs.
As simple as that “plan” sounds, the devil is in the details – always is. It’s simple, but not easy. It takes Read more
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How and why do kettlebells burn fat?
What is so magical about kettlebells that gives them the ability to burn fat so effectively? Well, there’s no magic, so how does a kettlebell burn fat? The fact is, many of the exercises the kettlebell is suited to are just great for losing fat. It’s the exercise (and diet, of course), not the tool. The tool just makes the exercise more doable.
There are two simple things to keep in mind when you’re trying to lose fat: burning calories and keeping your muscle. It’s fairly basic math, in order to lose weight, you have to burn more calories than you take in. When you’re losing weight, you have to give your body a reason to keep Read more
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What is a kettlebell, and why would you want one?
So, you’re looking at fitness equipment, routines, diet tips, etc. and found this site. Maybe you’ve never heard of kettlebells before. I’ve worked out with them for a few years, so it’s easy to miss the fact that most people have never even heard of them before. So, here’s a quick introduction to the Russian Kettlebell.
As you can see, a kettlebell is basically a ball of iron with a handle. That’s it, simple and brutal if you like. They come in sizes ranging from 10 lbs. to 106 lbs. Look for an upcoming article on choosing the right size for you.
Now, why would you want one? Simply put, they are the ultimate in one-stop-shop fitness equipment.
- Build strength, resilience, flexibility, and endurance.
- Develops a powerful hip thrust, a very important aspect of athletic training.
- Gain muscle or lose fat, whichever your goal.
- Great for the grip, wrist and forearm.
- Fits in the space of one square foot.
The unique design has the weight hang below your grip, so it is easily swung between the legs – an incredibly effective workout by itself. You simply can’t do this with a dumbbell without the fear of smacking yourself in the knees.
The design also gives the kettlebell an off-set center of gravity, which provides you with variable leverage. Using this leverage, many kettlebell drills are both more difficult and safer than the same or similar exercise with another piece of equipment. During overhead presses for example, a 35 lb. kettlebell can feel 10 lbs. heavier while simultaneously putting your press in a more natural range of motion than a dumbbell would.
I can honestly say that I’ve gotten a better workout from kettlebells than from any other piece of equipment I’ve used. Plus, they’re just plain fun to use! Whether your goal is to lose fat, gain muscle, improve endurance, or anything else, chances are you can get results with one kettlebell. They’re the reason I work out at home. I found myself going to the gym and not knowing what to do because I felt like I didn’t need anything there. I still have a gym membership (we got a great deal and I don’t want to give it up). However, I only go there when I’m in the mood for a change of scenery, or want a random workout. But for my bread and butter, I’ll pick kettlebells every time.
If you don’t have a kettlebell yet, get one from RussianKettlebells.com, or RussianReds.com for a lower-cost version with a different finish. The blacks are powder-coated, which will last longer. The reds are simply painted.
Since originally posting this, I’ve found another option for less expensive (not made in the US) kettlebells at Muscle Driver.
Popularity: 9% [?]
The Five Pillars Of Kettlebell Training
Guest Article, by Mike Mahler
Many trainees often forget that kettlebells are weights and the rules of effective weight training apply to kettlebell training. Similar to traditional weight training, effective kettlebell training requires a balanced approach and an emphasis on the basic compound drill that provide the most bang for the buck. For most trainees, following a regimen with a strong emphasis on a few basic exercises is the way to go. However, putting all of your efforts into one or two exercises long-term is not the way to go. There are five areas that are worth focusing on for balanced development. Lets get going.
The Five Pillars:
- Press
- Pull
- Squat
- Lower body pull
- Core
Whatever form of weight training you engage in, you want the five above areas covered. Now lets cover each Read more
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Cheap Kettlebells – Considerations
I know that kettlebells seem expensive for what they are. I mean, how much can it cost to make an iron ball with a handle, right? Well, you can see the process by watching this video (click “watch The Making of a Kettlebell“). As you can see, more goes into building a kettlebell than you might think. Add to that the cost of doing business and profit margin, and you can see how the final cost can add up. In addition, Dragon Door (DD) kettlebells are made in the USA. You can get these, the Gold-Standard in kettlebells, here.
For a little lower price, you can get DD’s Russian Reds. These are the same one-piece cast iron construction as the regular DD kettlebells, except for the finish. The regular kettlebells are powder-coated, which involves Read more
Popularity: 11% [?]
