Advice on Dumbells/KettleBells for Home Use

trixie_belle12

Although Im joined a gym and happy enough doing my cardio there by the time i've worked for the day and done my cardio i'm rarely in the form to stick around long and do weights. I've mainly been using free weights for upper body toning.

The gym has dumbells and kettlebells (which I've little or no experience in using) but I'd be grateful if anyone could advise which type would be best to invest in for use at home are they relatively similar and is there a particular weight I should aim for?

I'm 5'7 and around 10 stone. Broke my wrist a few months ago so not up to full lifting capacity yet.

Thanks

BobbyJohn

Trixster,
I'd suggest Kettlebells for the whole body routines. Some of the more powerful movements might be a little stressful on the wrist though, depending on how its healed.
Maybe just start with a really light KB of 2 or 4 KG and increase the reps?

Scuba Ste

Would you not try doing your weights first and then cardio after and save your cash.

Lantus

seems pointless to invest in weights for home when you've paid for a gym.

Do a weights session first, even 20 or 25 mins could reap great results. then tack your cardio on after. should deliver good results overall.

El Horseboxo

I've become a big fan of kettlebells. I only really use dumbbells for curls or the odd farmers walk as i have them in a heavier weight. Which reminds me i need to buy heavier kettlebells.

I bookmarked the below site a while back which lists a lot of exercises you can do with them. Just type the name of the exercise into youtube and you'll probably find a video of them for a clearer demonstration.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/kettlebells.htm

trixie_belle12

thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

I've pretty much made the decision to buy some weights as my membership expires soon and i'll probably be moving house so want to have something to fall back on. Plus I guess I'm hoping I'll get more lifting in resulting in better results - one can hope :rolleyes:

Bobby John - wrist is pretty well healed i think so can probably drive on - do you think a 4kg would be best better to aim a little higher?

Thanks for the link Horseboxo Do you recommend anywhere in particular to buy the kettlebells?

mack32

check out this place - http://www.buykettlebelldublin.com/workshops

im signed up for a workshop there soon and its seem sto be great value compared to some of the other sites - 58e for a kettlebell (starting at 16kg but adjusted for your ability) and you get a 3 hour workshop as well

trixie_belle12

that looks really great, i'm definitely going to sign up for one soon. cheers

seaner

hi there
i'd definitely recommend getting an 8 to start out with. My girlfriend and i attend a KB class twice a week and the minium weight bell she'd go for would be the 8. More likely when she's doing swings etc, its the 12kilo one. But anything like bent over row or turkish get ups she'd use the 8 Kilo one.
There are some 4 kilo ones in the class we go to and out of all the 20 ppl that attend the class the only time the 4kg bells are used are by the older members of the group when doing tricep exercises.

So don't waste your money and buy the 4's go for 2 8's and maybe 1 12.
Even with a wrist thats not 100% percent, as long as you keep your technique right and keep your wrist strong and straight, you'll be fine.

The best thing about kettle bells is you can take them out in your own living room and do a brilliant, high intensity workout.

I took them up 6 months ago along with my GF and we've never looked back. Although I would recommend if you could pop along to a class or two. Or at the very least get some DVDs off amazon. There's plenty on there.
Best of luck with the training, I think you'll love using kettlebells!