Why Kettlebells Deserve a Place in Your Training Program

Step 2 Of Turkish Get Up

Snatch/Ballistics Pre-Requisites

Kettlebells are one of the most versatile — and underutilized — tools in fitness. Whether you’re brand new to strength training or an experienced lifter, kettlebells offer a unique, powerful way to build strength, improve endurance, develop explosive power, and enhance body control.

I see it all the time: people walking past the kettlebells in the gym because they either don’t know how to use them… or they think they’re only for swings. Truth is, the kettlebell is one of the most adaptable training tools out there. You can use it for:

• Strength: Presses, squats, Turkish get-ups, deadlifts

• Power: Swings, snatches, cleans, jerks

• Speed: Ballistics, complexes, fast transitions

• Endurance: Long-cycle work, EMOMs, kettlebell sport-style training

• Mobility & Control: Windmills, bent presses, overhead holds, bottoms-up drills

Unlike barbells, kettlebells work with your body, not against it. They don’t lock you into a fixed range of motion, which makes them incredibly joint-friendly and accessible for all fitness levels. Don’t get me wrong — I love barbell training. But the kettlebell is more forgiving. It meets you where you’re at, whether you’re a beginner or an elite athlete.

The best part? There’s no one who can’t use kettlebells. Seriously. I’ve coached absolute beginners and seasoned lifters alike — and they’ve all benefited from adding kettlebells into their routine.

But here’s the thing: kettlebells only work their magic if you use them properly.

Before diving into advanced skills like swings, cleans, snatches, jerks, windmills, bent presses, or push presses, you need to learn the fundamentals — how to grip the bell, how to hinge, how to control your breath, and how to move efficiently.

That’s why I always recommend working with a coach who specializes in kettlebell training — ideally someone certified through StrongFirst or RKC, both of which focus on hardstyle training.

Hardstyle kettlebell training is a game changer. It teaches you to create full-body tension at the right moments, and just as importantly, how to release that tension at the right times. This balance is known as “fast and loose” — a technique that not only improves your performance, but also protects your joints and helps you move better in everyday life.

So if you’re looking to:

✔️ Build serious strength

✔️ Improve conditioning

✔️ Boost your power and speed

✔️ Move better and feel more connected to your body

✔️ Or just try something new and effective...

Kettlebells are it.

Start with the basics, learn the technique, and unlock what this tool can really do for your body and your training. Trust me — once you get the feel for it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

Want help getting started? Let’s train.I offer personalized kettlebell coaching — reach out and let’s swing some bells the right way.