I just purchased Vegan Trainer Bob Harper's new Kettlebell and workout DVD...heard you can burn up to 400 cals in 20 minutes if you follow the workout.  Last night, I opened it up, sat it on the table, and stared at it all night...haha.  It intimidated me!  I've never been one to do intense, weight intensive workouts...I enjoy yoga, hooping, barre training....so this guy kinda scared me!  I have friends who LOVE kettlebells, but was wondering if anyone on here had experience with them?  It's cute and pink, but I'm just intimidated I guess!  I'm determined to use it tonight though with the dvd!

Oops...Kettlebells*  Won't let me change the title!

Hi Dani,

I take a Kettlebell class 1-2 times a week and I love it. It's really intense, you sweat your butt off and feel great after. It's a total body workout. However, lately I've been feeling like I've been gaining more muscle than loosing weight. But, I would give your cute, pink bell a chance and see for yourself. You do blast major calories and it's really fun too!

Good luck!
Julie

Thanks!  I've heard it's quite intense...I just like hearing from "real" people who do the workouts :-)  Bob Harper is a fitness genius, but he's superman!  I love getting a real perspective on stuff like this!

Good Gracious that little thing kicked my butt last night!!  Who knew you could get such a good workout with such a cute little thing-a-ma-jiggie!

Kettlebells can be an amazing work out, but please be careful, especially if you are not used to lifting heavy weights. Work outs with kettle bells require excellent form and body mechanics in order to not potentially seriously injure yourself. Most forms of exercise, like the ones you listed (yoga, hula hooping, etc) cab be performed at your own level and with not much risk of hurting yourself if you do it "wrong." Lifting such a heavy object repeatedly can wreak havoc if you're performing the moves incorrectly. I'm sure that Bob thoroughly explains the proper body mechanics of his work outs. But you don't have mirrors in front of and beside you in order to watch yourself 100% of the time. My suggestion would be to visit a personal trainer experienced with kettle bell workouts a few times to be sure you get the hang of it before pursuing this at home. I don't mean to sound negative at all or paranoid, but after working with weights for several years, I understand the importance of proper form. Best of luck to you and have fun!

Oh don't worry!  I took it very slow, was in a mirrored space (ex-dancer...I have a "dance room" w/mirrors where I exercise) and made sure I was getting it right...the 30 minute dvd it came with took me over an hour because I am a perfectionist and wanted it to be perfect!  Which is probably why I'm so sore! 

Hi Danielle,

Where did you purchase the DVD?  and how much?  I'm looking for something different to help shed some pounds and I don't have mirrors should I be concerned about that?  I do know when I'm getting in the shoulder's and neck and how to release that.  I don't know let me know before I purchase it, if you don't mind.

Michele

The dvd came with the kettleball that I purchased.  It was at Target....Bob Harper's new line of contoured kettleballs.  I think if you're careful and don't try to go all out and crazy, and are aware of your body, then you don't need the mirrors.  I danced my whole life, so I've become accustomed to working out with mirrors, watching my body's form and keeping proper alignment, but I don't think it's necessary.  If you get a dvd, definitely watch it first, and practice without a kettleball, just the movements first.