Kettlebells, what weight do I need please?

[Lambzig]

I want to get a kettlebell for the new Jillian Michaels DVD, but I am not sure what weight to get. I have been doing other Routines with 2 and 3 kg weights.

Does anyone have one? From what I have read, 8kg is suggested, but this seems huge.

Any advice appreciated.

Interested in responses. Have done it once with a dumbbell but it felt too easy. No idea what weight to get either!

I've got a 6kg, 8kg and 10kg. Find myself using the 6kg when unfamiliar with moves, and usually (ok, occasionally) switching up to the 8 & 10kg. I used mostly 3kg with 30DS/Ri30.

SIWW L1 - fine.
SIWW L2 - owwwwww

Read something about how JM has been criticised for her form with kettlebells - haven't used them before though so no comparison.

Thanks, I am doing ripped in 30 at the moment and want something new when I have finished that. Perhaps I had better start with buying a six and an eight. Very helpful thank you.

For most women the recommendation is to start of with 8kg and, if you can afford it, a 12kg bell as you should be able to start swinging that early on. See Lauren Brooks website for more details.

I'd also second MsFiremanSam's concern about the technique JM shows in the DVD. To learn proper technique you could again take a look at Lauren Brooks sites or Marianne Kanes beginners workout for good, safe instructions.

I have a 4kg , is it too small?

Depending on what you're doing, go as heavy as you can. For kettle bell swings, deadlifts etc I use 24kg. If you're just using them as weights to lift with, heavy enough that 10 reps is hard but achievable. Windmills need lighter as they're for flexibility rather than weight training. It is really important to have the right technique though as you can really hurt your lower back doing swings wrongly.

Depending on what you're doing, go as heavy as you can. For kettle bell swings, deadlifts etc I use 24kg. If you're just using them as weights to lift with, heavy enough that 10 reps is hard but achievable. Windmills need lighter as they're for flexibility rather than weight training. It is really important to have the right technique though as you can really hurt your lower back doing swings wrongly.

Oops. Sorry for the double post

Unless you have had injuries in the past or particular health concerns I would say definitely too light. I'm not talking about JM's class though, a traditional kettlebell workout will be be quite short performing the same exercises in 2-3 rounds. Like in the following vids:

I would imagine that you wouldn't feel you've had much of a workout if you performed either of those workouts with only a 4kg bell e.g. Marianne is demonstrating with 16kg (yellow bell) and a 12kg (blue bell). A kettlebell workout with an appropriate weighted bell will leave me breathing as heavily as if I've just gone for a run - along with the sore muscles!

The weight should be challenging while still allowing you to maintain good form.

Also, what Tisy10 just said.

Aww crap.

Thanks