Kettlebell workouts are not at all new in the universe of exercises. Really, the kettlebell is one of the oldest ways to exercise. Kettlebells have been used in the past by strongmen, weightlifters, and even wrestlers to beef up muscle groups quickly and to increase strength, endurance, and flexibility. Even though the kettlebell has a lot of tradition and history behind it, it is just now coming to the forefront amongst exercisers who are set upon building muscle or shedding pounds.

As an intro., a kettlebell looks like a cannonball with a handle attached. And for good reason. Made of cast iron, the average kettlebell weighs about 35 lbs. It is no lightweight. For this reason, in certain circumstances it's wise for a person to build up to kettlebell training by first hefting alternatively lighter dumbbells or weights before attempting to swing this bad boy around. While most kettlebells are 35 lbs. in weight, they can go from 5 to 200 pounds in weight, depending on the type of kettlebell workouts you are doing.

Today's kettlebells sometimes have a plastic coating or covering around them to assist with protecting floors against markings and other damage that this big bullet can cause. Although most kettlebells are made of solid cast iron, other kettlebells could be constructed using sand or even steel shot (in fact, a very, very caveman kettlebell can be created by simply mixing cement and pouring it into an empty milk gallon jug).

Even though you may need to first use dumbbells in order to get going with kettlebell workouts, kettlebells are lots better than ordinary dumbbells in that you may perform swinging exercises that include more muscle groups than dumbbells. Core muscles, posterior chain muscles, wrist muscles, shoulder muscles, bicep muscles, back muscles, and arm muscles are each used heavily during kettlebell workouts. Depending on which exercises you choose, you can work out nearly any group of muscles in the body.

Further, kettlebell workouts and exercises yield superior results (and in much less time) than old style gym/dumbbell exercises. Kettlebell workouts maintain a much more intense, complete workout. Not only do they build muscle, but they increase the balance of a person. As the person learns to utilize micro-muscles that aren't used in other traditional dumbbell workouts, the benefit of the kettlebell becomes understood.

One reason kettlebells are coming back on the scene is because they are so versatile and portable. A kettlebell can be used to exercise just about any muscle in the human body, and they can be used anywhere there is a small open space (10 feet x 10 feet). Throw one or two kettlebells in the back of your vehicle and you can get your workout in in any park, field, parking lot, or other open area.

If a person is trying to build muscle, lose fat, or just get a good aerobic exercise, kettlebell training and kettlebell workouts are the perfect solution.