A sign my kettlebell is too heavy for me?

traveller80

Hi,

Im female, 5ft 2 and just under 9stone. I got a 8kg kettlebell about 3 weeks ago and ive found it good so far, except one problem. I cannot lift it above my head with one arm, like in the one arm press. I have tried but i cant get it - even just holding it up by my chest with one arm (which i think is called the one arm clean) is hard for me, because it really hurts my wrist when the kettlebell is resting on it.

So basically my question is this - should i get a lighter kettlebell, one which i am able to do the one arm press OR should i just keep doing all the other moves i can do? (im able to do all the swings, the deadlifts ..anything that doesnt involve lifting it above head height with one arm) Will these other moves eventually build up enough strength in my arms to be able to do the one arm press?

I dont know if it matters, but ive never done weights before....just some bodyweight exercises.

thanks:p

DamienH

You should be doing Turkish Get Ups with it aswell. These helped me with presses whenever I wanted to move up to a new bell. If I was you, I'd just do swings and getups with the same bell until it you can do a could couple of swings (at least 100/150 non stop) and 5 mins of continuous getups with each arm. You should be able to press the bell pretty easily then.

If you don't have it, get Enter the Kettlebell by Pavel Tsastouline . It's THE book for getting started with kettlebells. The kettlebell shouldn't be hurting your wrist on cleans either, wrist and forearm should be straight. Give the book a read, it's all in there. Sets of full pushups (or on your knees if you can't do normal pushups ) wouldn't hurt either.

cmyk

It could be a bit heavy or just a mobility or technique issue you're having. As above it shouldn't really be hurting your wrist either. Might be a good idea to head along to a class to get some tuition on correct technique etc.

I wouldn't advise getting a smaller bell, I'll stand corrected but I think 6kg is the smallest available (without a custom order). You'll outgrow that very quickly. If you've access to a gym try overhead pressing with a lighter dumbell.

DamienH

Honestly, I wouldn't bother pressing it overhead if you don't get your clean sorted first. It'll pay off down the line if you keep using kettlebells.

This should start you on the way

Transform

quite likely a technique issue and just building up basic strength - even some press ups to build your pressing strength will help

captain P

traveller80 wrote: »

Hi,

Im female, 5ft 2 and just under 9stone. I got a 8kg kettlebell about 3 weeks ago and ive found it good so far, except one problem. I cannot lift it above my head with one arm, like in the one arm press. I have tried but i cant get it - even just holding it up by my chest with one arm (which i think is called the one arm clean) is hard for me, because it really hurts my wrist when the kettlebell is resting on it.

So basically my question is this - should i get a lighter kettlebell, one which i am able to do the one arm press OR should i just keep doing all the other moves i can do? (im able to do all the swings, the deadlifts ..anything that doesnt involve lifting it above head height with one arm) Will these other moves eventually build up enough strength in my arms to be able to do the one arm press?

I dont know if it matters, but ive never done weights before....just some bodyweight exercises.

thanks:p

Similar !!
I'm F, 5ft5 and about 8.5stone and have my 8kg kettlebell about a month now. I love it!
I had the same issue with the one arm press (I have weak wrists which doesn't help) but it is getting easier for me and I can do a few reps now.
Still working on the Turkish get up though

There's some great videos on youtube (can't link now, in work) that you could watch & make sure your technique is right. Even get someone to watch you to make sure its right or something.

Slightly off topic - but press ups were mentioned, I can't do them other than on my knuckles because of a very bad left wrist.. anyone got any tips to make it easier... or just keep going on the knuckles?

Transform

captain P wrote: »

Similar !!
I'm F, 5ft5 and about 8.5stone and have my 8kg kettlebell about a month now. I love it!
I had the same issue with the one arm press (I have weak wrists which doesn't help) but it is getting easier for me and I can do a few reps now.
Still working on the Turkish get up though

There's some great videos on youtube (can't link now, in work) that you could watch & make sure your technique is right. Even get someone to watch you to make sure its right or something.

Slightly off topic - but press ups were mentioned, I can't do them other than on my knuckles because of a very bad left wrist.. anyone got any tips to make it easier... or just keep going on the knuckles?

you could try doing them while holding a pair of dumbbells or press up stands as that will keep the wrists in neutral and then do a slow negative and push back up