Kettlebell for Martial Arts Training Basics

Series Summary

Kettlebells are cannonball shaped weights with handles that are used to tone and build strength. These weights were first seen and used in Russia by strongmen. Formed from cast iron, kettlebells are becoming popular again and are now incorporated into exercise programs worldwide. Using the kettlebell can improve endurance and muscle strength. Cardiovascular benefits and improvements in range of motion are also noted as added benefits of kettlebell training.

In this series of expert videos, you will learn more about kettlebell exercises and training for martial arts. Kettlebells are great for agility and balance, which is very important to most martial arts specialists. Watch as our expert demonstrates kettlebell training basics such as lateral swings and squat exercises. Learn the proper body alignment for kettlebell training and try out the rack position and other swing exercises. Challenge yourself with roll up exercises, the snake exercise, the snatch exercise, the sumo squat exercise and the windmill exercise. Our kettlebell expert demonstrates the compound squat with snake exercise and many others in these health and fitness training videos.

Video Transcript

"Hi! My name is Julio Anta of Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense in Miami, Florida and my website is www.miamikettlebell.com. On behalf of Expert Village.com, I would like to welcome you to this segment on Kettlebells for the martial artist. Kettlebells, as you can see here, they look like cannon balls, they look like Mickey Mouse, whatever you want to call. They come in different sizes: small for beginners, usually women, 8.8, 17.6, 26.4, 35.2, 52.8, 70.4 lbs. for different things, and there are heavier ones. Now kettlebell is actually Russia’s national sport, and today ultimate fighters, boxers, all types of athletes are using it, including Sylvester Stallone; you’ll see it in his movie. But for the martial artist it is great because of the ballistic aspect; because our functional body moves, we got to move lateral, forward, fast throw, punches. This is going to enhance more as opposed to static body-specific training. The kettlebell, some people believe came—and this is not exactly a padlock, but it is similar to a padlock—in the Shaolin Temple, they were trained to do forearm strike with things like this, that they called padlocks. So some people believe it came from the padlock, but today what I am going to show you first is some alignment in your kettle bell training, and some moves that is going to enhance your martial arts training."