Since kettlebells began making a comeback in 1999, people have been trying to find fault with the use of kettlebells. Such comments such as, "they are great for conditioning, but can't do much for strength", "if you want to get strong you have to lift barbells", "building muscle requires much heavier weight and definitely no momentum." All these comments are just ridiculous and the majority of people have looked past such silliness and now ten years later it would be hard to find an elite training center that doesn't have kettlebells. Why?
Kettlebells are a weight! A very unique weight where leverage and movement differ from standard dumbbells and barbells. You don't think kettlebells could build strength or muscle? I haven't seen too many strong lifters that can press 106 pound kettlebells. In fact, Powerlifting great, Louie Simmons, often has his lifters use 53 pound kettlebells, yea, guys that can squat over 1000 pounds!
Hmmm, this is all sound very familiar and the sam struggles sandbag training is having now. Oh, don't get me wrong, there are A LOT of people that "get it". We have had professional sports teams, elite military, and some of the industry's top coaches get into sandbags. Listen to what NFL Strength Coach, Chip Morton, had to say about our sandbag program...
"The Ultimate Sandbag is the top product of its type on the market
today. The bag has a number of features that make it perfect for use in
a weight room setting, outdoors, or at home. The multiple handles allow
for a variety of exercises to be performed when compared to a homemade
version, and the use of filler bags makes weight adjustments quick and
easy. We use the Ultimate Sandbag in our program often, in warm-up/prep
periods, complexes, conditioning circuits and also as a stand alone
exercise. Training with sandbags has been around as long as people have
looked for heavy things to lift. The Ultimate Sandbag, with its
adjustability and convenience, brings sandbag training into the strength
and conditioning mainstream."
Chip Morton, Professional Football Strength & Conditioning Coach,
Cincinnati, OH
I can't, I simply can't convey the difference of sandbag training versus a barbell, dumbbell, or kettlebell over
the internet, it is just impossible. I could write about numerous 700 pound deadlifters that I have worked with that
struggle with less than 200 pound sandbags, I could write about strongmen that work VERY hard to shoulder a
200 pound sandbag, but it just doesn't do it any justice.
Let me put it this way, overload is what builds muscle and makes one more fit. The body does not recognize a
barbell, dumbbell, bodyweight, kettlebells, or even sanbags, it only responds to overload. How many people can do
a single-arm push-up or pull-up? Isn't it just bodyweight?
Still not convinced? Try this circuit of simply bodyweight and sandbag training and see what you feel about the ability
to get strong without a barbell.
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