There is something empowering that comes from swinging around a heavy object. It just feels good.

Why kettlebells? Well, let me tell you.

About 11 years ago, I was feeling unmotivated and having a hard time getting myself out of bed, let alone exercising.

At that time, I was on maternity leave, and receiving pretty decent benefits, so I decided to join a gym.

Not only did I join a gym but I signed up for personal training sessions, as I knew that I needed that extra accountability to keep me going.

I absolutely loved having a trainer. Being able to just show up to the gym and not have to worry about my routine was phenomenal. Also, the gym had a free daycare for members, so….

This is where I first got introduced to kettlebells. I had no idea what they were before my trainer educated me on them.

Instantly, I fell in love with kettlebell exercises. There is something empowering that comes from swinging around a heavy object. It just feels good.

I took to them so much that my trainer planned many a session around kettlebells. We did other exercises too of course, but I definitely had an affinity toward kettlebells.

Even after I stopped going to the gym (life got busy once I went back to work), I still exercised with a kettlebell.

I ordered one from Amazon and used the routines my trainer had written out for me from the gym.

Kettlebells have remained a constant in my workouts ever since. I think it’s important to note that I have not been exercising regularly for the last 11 years, but when I get back into it, kettlebells are in the lineup.

Why are kettlebells so effective?

Kettlebells are so effective because they are essentially a total body workout. You get strength training and conditioning in one awesome piece of equipment.

Using kettlebells also increases your mobility and stability. For example, there are a lot of cleans and presses in kettlebell exercises that increase your shoulder mobility. There are also lots of single-leg exercises which help with increasing your stability.

Grip strength is also improved with the use of kettlebells because you have to grip the handle the whole time you’re using it or you may have some unexpected holes in your floor or walls!

I absolutely love that you don’t have to spend a ton of time exercising either. You can do a lot in a short period of time.

Right now, I have set a goal for myself to do 10 minutes of kettlebell exercises every day for the month of November. I have done just that and I feel amazing, my muscles are growing, and I look forward to those 10 minutes every day.

Are kettlebells good for losing belly fat?

I don’t believe that any one exercise or piece of equipment can help you lose belly fat specifically. It’s a combination of a good diet and consistent exercise, no matter what you choose to do.

With that being said, kettlebell swings are great for stabilizing your core and therefore target your belly pretty well. 

Honestly, most kettlebell exercises require core strength and stability so I guess they are good for losing belly fat but please don’t just rely on kettlebells, there is your diet to consider also.

As well, when you start to lose fat, the fat around your belly will be the last to go, trust me!

Be patient, and stay consistent for the long term. That’s my best advice for losing fat, no matter which body part is your problem area.

How often should you do kettlebells to lose weight?

As I have mentioned, I am performing 10 minutes of kettlebell exercises every day.

However, it is recommended to do kettlebells 3-5 times a week, depending on intensity. You should probably give your body a day or two off to recover each week.

Strictly anecdotally speaking, I have absolutely loved doing 10 minutes of kettlebell exercises every day and don’t see myself stopping any time soon.

Can you lose weight by just doing kettlebell swings?

Hell ya!

I should preface this by saying that your diet better be spot on as well for this to be true.

According to bodybuilding.com: 

The kettlebell swing is ideal for weight loss because it’s no impact and it torches fat like no other workout can. Yet it also can build some solid, no-nonsense muscle while improving your cardiovascular strength and endurance.

As a side note, you feel like a real badass when you’re swinging that heavy kettlebell around. The adrenaline alone makes you go harder and faster than you thought you could.

What weight kettlebell should a woman use?

I’ll be honest, the first kettlebell I ordered online was too heavy for me. The weight was in kg and I just winged it. I was able to do a lot of exercises, but the heaviness did limit me on what I could do with the kettlebell.

The second kettlebell I have ever owned (and use right now) is 20 lbs and I find it perfect for doing most of the exercises. Sometimes it is a little heavy but not too heavy that I can’t perform the exercise properly.

This is just my experience, so let’s ask the experts.

According to kettlebellsusa.com:

For ballistic movements like kettlebell swings, cleans, and snatches an average, active woman should start with a kettlebell between 8 kg – 18 lb and 12 kg – 26 lb. 

An athletic woman should start with a kettlebell between 12 kg – 26 lb and 16 kg – 35 lb.

Out-of-shape, inactive women should try a bell between 6 kg – 13 lb and 8 kg – 18 lb.

Advantages to using kettlebells in your home workout

I have made it no secret that I absolutely love kettlebells and think everyone should swing something heavy around! 

If you’re still not convinced, I put together a little pro list of why kettlebells make awesome (and even complete) home gym options.

Only one required: I just use my one 20lb kettlebell, and that’s it. I can do all the exercises, just one arm at a time!

Little space needed: I literally use a room in my house that functions as a spare bedroom, storage space, and a tiny office for myself. You do not need much space to perform most kettlebell exercises.

Many videos are available on YouTube: I use youtube videos exclusively to do my workouts. They are follow-along style and I love them. Since I am doing 10 minutes a day, I simply put on my timer and play a video. Once my timer goes off, I finish the exercise that I was in the middle of and call it a day. By choosing random videos, I find that you get a lot of variety in the movements so it’s not boring at all. I have been doing this for the whole month of November and have yet to repeat a video. Variety is the spice of life!

Fun: They’re just fun. It’s not a battle to psyche yourself up for a workout. You look forward to it because you love it!

Small amount of time needed: I do 10 minutes a day and am seeing results. Ten minutes a day is totally doable as well. I prefer to exercise in the morning but if I forget, I can fit it in after supper, before bed and it’s not a huge deal. It’s ten minutes.

Summary

Kettlebells are amazing and if you haven’t tried them, I’d recommend watching some youtube videos and ordering your own online.

Using kettlebells for weight loss is really a game changer. They are efficient, full-body workouts that are just fun to do.

Keep going, keep going, keep going….

P.S. Let me know in the comments if you have tried kettlebell exercises and what you love about them.