Exercises with weights for weight loss: rules of operation
Training with kettlebells gives a lot of positive emotions and requires significant energy expenditure. If you wish, you can practice at home. The weight loss kettlebell is a powerful, time-tested tool. A fun, quick workout that charges you with energy, works your thighs, strengthens your buttocks, and perfectly loads your abs.
There are the following rules for training with these manual exercise machines:
- You need to choose the right weight for weight loss for men and not immediately take on the heaviest ones, thinking that you can handle them. In this case, unprepared muscles can become very sore and cannot withstand such a load.
- You need to choose your training location carefully. Of course, it's best to practice outside, because that's where you won't be afraid of dropping the weight on the floor and damaging something. But not everyone has this opportunity, so when working out at home or in the gym, you should always be careful not to damage yourself or the objects around you.
- You should not use mirrors, because they will constantly distract attention, which can lead to injury. There is no need to use gloves on your hands, since they will only reduce the pressure, which in turn will confuse and deceive the reaction of the muscles. The same applies to shoes with heels, which are the most dangerous.
- Do not exercise when you have no strength, health or mood, since training in this case will still not be effective. It is best to reschedule it for another day when you feel well.
- You need to schedule your training days and your goals that you want to achieve through training in advance. This way, you will have a certain plan of action and lines for which you need to lose excess weight, which will motivate you to take action.
- In the breaks between classes, you don’t need to sit still, otherwise you’ll just relax and by the second approach you won’t have the strength. It is best to do lighter exercise or just walk during this time.
- It is necessary for the body to recover between days of training. This means that during this period you need to get a good night’s sleep, avoid stress and anxiety, and do not drink alcohol. In addition, you should eat well so that you have the strength to train.
- You need to select the weight of the kettlebell correctly and not immediately take on the heaviest ones, thinking that you can handle them. In this case, unprepared muscles can become very sore and cannot withstand such a load.
- You need to choose your training location carefully. Of course, it's best to practice outside, because that's where you won't be afraid of dropping the weight on the floor and damaging something. But not everyone has this opportunity, so when working out at home or in the gym, you should always be careful not to damage yourself or the objects around you.
- You should not use mirrors, because they will constantly distract attention, which can lead to injury. There is no need to use gloves on your hands, since they will only reduce the pressure, which in turn will confuse and deceive the reaction of the muscles. The same applies to shoes with heels, which are the most dangerous.
- Do not exercise when you have no strength, health or mood, since training in this case will still not be effective. It is best to reschedule it for another day when you feel well.
- You need to schedule your training days and your goals that you want to achieve through training in advance. This way, you will have a certain plan of action and lines for which you need to lose excess weight, which will motivate you to take action.
- In the breaks between classes, you don’t need to sit still, otherwise you’ll just relax and by the second approach you won’t have the strength. It is best to do lighter exercise or just walk during this time.
- It is necessary for the body to recover between days of training. This means that during this period you need to get a good night’s sleep, avoid stress and anxiety, and do not drink alcohol. In addition, you should eat well so that you have the strength to train.
15 minute workout for weight loss
This kettlebell workout program is specifically designed to save time and burn body fat. This ready-made workout plan at home will put serious stress on the abs, which will allow you to see abs in a few workouts if you do not have a large percentage of subcutaneous fat.
Want to get rid of that last couple of extra pounds around your waist? It's just one device, and there are a whole bunch of exercises you can do for it, including weight-loss workouts and low-rep strength training circuits. They are good for developing hip extension strength, which is useful for building muscle without the risk of injury.
This complex includes exercises with weights for weight loss for men, so that anyone can reduce the percentage of subcutaneous fat and gain sculpted muscles in a short time. You work in three areas: improving movement technique, burning calories and getting rid of fat. And it only takes 15 minutes, so you can do it during your lunch break.
How to practice according to this scheme
Let's talk a little about how to properly train with dumbbells or kettlebells using this program so that the effect is noticeable. Perform these 6 exercises, following the recommended repetitions without rest, until you complete the entire set. Then rest for 2 minutes and do another circle. This fat-burning kettlebell workout will be most effective if you complete three full circuits in one session. As you get stronger, you can add an extra circle.
Benefits of working with kettlebells
The benefits of working with kettlebells are often underestimated in gyms filled with all kinds of exercise equipment. After all, in addition to building muscle mass, kettlebell exercises increase endurance, agility, train the body’s sense of balance, and strengthen the ligaments of the forearms.
Why is this happening? Kettlebells have a unique shape. And when performing the exercise, the center of gravity of the projectile shifts. The muscles being worked are forced to create additional force. This allows for a wider range of movements and, accordingly, better development of muscle fibers.
Exercises with these strength training machines have the following advantages:
- All muscles of the body are trained and strengthened (not just the arms, as many believe).
- Due to active muscle work, calories are burned, which leads to weight loss (but not muscle mass).
- The whole body becomes stronger, so the risk of injury decreases.
- With such training, a person has the opportunity to work both anaerobically and aerobically.
- All movements become clearer, and overall body mobility increases.
- Strength increases and health improves. The body tightens and takes on the correct shape.
- Efficiency increases, which becomes useful even in everyday life (it’s easier to lift heavy packages, lift a small child, etc.).
- Such exercises work most effectively to burn calories. Studies show that 20 calories are burned per minute of such exercise. Accordingly, in an hour - 1200, which cannot be achieved by any diet without harm to health.
- In just a few sessions a week you can achieve impressive results, which are sometimes difficult to achieve even in a month using other methods.
The effect of training with a kettlebell
Kettlebells are a fairly simple sports equipment known to everyone. Used primarily by men in strength sports. In fact, it is universal and its capabilities are very extensive. Women can freely use weights when doing fitness at home or in the gym. The variety of exercises is suitable for both a physically unprepared beginner and an experienced athlete.
A weight is a projectile with a displaced center of gravity. The main weight is concentrated in the lower part, with the handle located on top. This distinguishes it from barbells and dumbbells, but is not a disadvantage. Thanks to this design feature, almost the entire body is involved in the work, rather than individual muscle groups. The possibility of rotational movements and control of inertial force contributes to this.
Sports activities with weights are highly effective for several reasons:
- not only the arms work, as it may seem, but also the buttocks, back, hips, shoulders, and abs;
- develops strength, builds muscle mass, burns fat;
- small and large muscles are involved simultaneously, not working in isolation;
- a simple, affordable, compact projectile that can be hidden anywhere and cannot be broken;
- training is carried out in any convenient place and at any time;
- groups of exercises with weights are easy and understandable, do not require complex techniques or special physical training;
- kettlebell lifting is one of the safest sports, the risk of injury is minimal;
- the functioning of the central nervous system, musculoskeletal system, metabolism and metabolism improves;
- suitable for women and men of any age;
- time is saved - one lesson lasts from 15 to 40 minutes.
Selection of weights
For beginners who have not previously engaged in sports at all, it is necessary to select light weights with a weight of five to seven kilograms. For more experienced people, you can use weights up to ten kilograms. You should not exercise with weights that are too light, as they will not give the desired effect - when working with them, both tendons and muscles must work during the swing.
Perhaps you have weights left somewhere in the closet or at the dacha. However, before you start using them, make sure that the working weight of the kettlebell is suitable for you. To determine the working weight of a kettlebell, do a simple test: lift the selected kettlebell 5 times above your head. If the last two times were very difficult for you, you need to take a lighter weight kettlebell. If, on the contrary, you feel able to do the same number of weight lifts, you need to choose a heavier weight.
When in doubt, always choose a lighter weight implement to protect yourself from injury. For an effective workout, simply increase the number of repetitions of the kettlebell exercise for weight loss.
Today you can buy weights weighing 8 kg, as well as 10 and 24 kg. The heaviest kettlebell - 32 kg - is suitable for experienced professionals, but beginners are recommended to start working with a kettlebell weighing 10 kg, gradually increasing the weight as muscle endurance develops. When you feel that the weight of the kettlebell has become too light for you, add additional weights. A large selection of weights for the home can be found here.
You can also find completely hollow weights on sale, which are filled with sand from the inside yourself, which allows you to adjust the working weight of the equipment depending on the experience of the athlete. And yet, for beginners, for whom even a weight of 8 kg seems too heavy, fitness trainers recommend choosing dumbbells for the first workouts, and only then moving on to heavier equipment.
Where to buy weights
You may find something suitable nearby, but many of the ones sold in stores are very light. While this isn't a bad idea, it's better to invest in one or two heavier kettlebells; one with a large but adjustable weight that works well for all one-arm movements, and one slightly heavier for two-arm exercises (or one-arm, as you get stronger).
A beginner can choose a 12 or 14 kg kettlebell. If you're used to lifting heavy weights, you'll probably be better off with the 16kg weight, which is universal for both men and women. If you want something heavier, try the 24 kg weight. You will need it for full body exercises with both arms. One of the best brands is Rogue Fitness, they offer all weight options. If you're on a budget, or you're still not entirely sure whether weights are worth the investment for a beginner, try adjustable weight options.
The most unique aspect of kettlebell training is endurance. In addition to developing strength and muscle growth, you can work up a serious sweat with the endurance and cardio exercises included in our routine.
There are many workout variations you can do with kettlebells, and almost all of them target all muscle groups. Some people like isolation exercises, but for those of us who want to increase strength and endurance and lose excess fat.
Diet
When training with weights for results, it is absolutely necessary to follow a diet, following the following rules:
- divide your daily diet into 4-6 servings;
- the optimal break between meals is 3.5 hours;
- always have breakfast;
- be sure to include carbohydrates and proteins in the menu;
- have dinner 2 hours before bedtime with protein foods;
- eat 1.5 hours before training.
Remember, sausage, candy, canned food, alcohol, smoked foods are all products that are useless for health.
Approximate set of exercises
To organize strength training at home on your own, you will need some free space, comfortable shoes, clothes and at least 30-60 minutes of free time. Beginners are recommended to train 2-3 times a week. For variety and increased interest in training, you can use other strength training equipment in the set of exercises below with a kettlebell. For example, exercises with an expander, dumbbells.
Stand in front of the kettlebell. Straighten your shoulders. Place your feet at a distance of 50 centimeters from each other. Bend over and grab the kettlebell with both hands. Keep your back straight. Rise up without lifting your heels off the floor. Lower yourself down until your hips are below your knees.
Hold the weight with both hands. Using a swinging motion, perform the first swing with a small amplitude, then perform a full swing, lifting the sports equipment above your head, straightening up completely. The elbows are also straight. While passing the bottom point, the weight should go between the legs beyond the line of the feet.
Kettlebell in both hands at chest level. Feet shoulder width apart. Do a squat. The back is straight. Stand up straight. Repeat the squat and lower the kettlebell to the floor. With a swinging motion, lift the weight to chest level and repeat the exercise.
Lie on the floor with your back. Take the weight in your right hand and lift it up. Bend your right leg at the knee. Using your left arm, lift your torso, holding the kettlebell arm above your head. Then take your left leg back and stand up. The kettlebell should still be up above your head. Having straightened up, pause for 1-2 seconds and, performing the power element in the reverse order, lie down on the floor.
Jerk the weight over your shoulder. Raise the sports equipment up. Lower the weight to your shoulder. Keep your back straight. This element is part of the basic set of exercises and allows you to simultaneously work out many muscle groups.
Place the weight in front of you at a distance of 20 cm from your feet. Bend over and grab it with one hand. Pull the sports equipment between your legs and swing the weight up to waist level. Then make a powerful jerk, lifting the kettlebell with your straight arm above your head. Drop the weight downwards with a small amplitude movement. Repeat the exercise. Beginners should be careful when performing this element. The snatch requires a strong wrist.
“Swings” with a kettlebell[edit | edit code]
Related article:
Kettlebell swings
These movements are both shoulder movements (requiring the participation of various portions of the deltoid muscle during the frontal lift) and movements for the rear of the lower extremities, when the legs are involved in the movement. We consider them options
, since the lumbogluteal-leg dominant is also clearly expressed here, which prompts us to include this type of exercise in the same group of exercises of the training day. But, on the other hand, the distance between the load and the axis of the body is maximum here, which makes this movement, despite the external similarity, different from other deviations for kettlebells in weightlifting exercises.
If the swing in the “swing” reaches the level of the forehead, then it is often called the “Russian swing.”
.
A swing with lifting a load above the head is usually called “American.”
The movement begins through the muscles of the posterior region, continuation is provided by the upper body.
Ways to perform “swings” with kettlebells
- Two-handed grip
- Grab with one hand. One-handed operation.
- Grab with one hand. Switch hands between legs with each repetition
- Grab with one hand. Changing hands with a high kettlebell position
- Grab with one hand. Changing hands with a high kettlebell position in a throw
There are two additional options for one or two hands:
- Lifting height From the position of the hand parallel to the floor to the position of the hand perpendicular to the floor
- Ways to perform “swings” with kettlebells
- Ways to perform “swings” with kettlebells
- Ways to perform “swings” with kettlebells
- Ways to perform “swings” with kettlebells
Notes:
And finally, it is possible to assist the seva to some extent with the legs, performing a simple or “double wave”, extending the knees fully or partially and after each erasing of the buckets.
Technical tips[edit | edit code]
Slightly bending your legs, lean forward, back straight, pelvis facing forward. Arch your torso and roll your shoulders back before beginning an extended front kettlebell raise with a pronated grip.
Perform double hip/knee extensions to stand up straight while lifting the kettlebell. You should stand straight with your arms parallel to the floor. In a standing position, the knees and hips are fully straightened, the abdominal and buttock muscles are tense, the head is raised up, the gaze is fixed at a distant point, just above the horizon.
Examples of training with swings[edit | edit code]
- Workout 1 - TEA TIME
As many sets as possible in 12 minutes 20 full pull-ups with an elastic band - 20 swings with one-arm weight release - 200 meters of running.
- Workout 2 - KETTLE RUN
10 minutes of running at 60% of maximum intensity. - fast run 800 meters
- 100 swings with two hands (rest at your discretion)
- fast run 800 meters
- 100 kettlebell push-ups (rest at your discretion)
- fast run 800 meters
- 3 sets of pull-ups with maximum reps
- Workout 3 - sweet kisses from Russia,
episode 5, 1 minute each: as many times as possible - 4 swings with two hands of a kettlebell + half rotation - 2 goblet squats with a kettlebell. Recovery between series - 1 minute
- 10 series of 100 meters of shuttle running - 10 6urpi -10 alternating swings. Recovery between series is 3 minutes. Recovery 3 minutes between episodes 5 and 6.
Weight loss program
Exercises for developing arm muscles:
- starting position: standing, feet shoulder-width apart; take sixteen kilogram weights in both hands (arms down, palms facing up), raise your arms to your shoulders, bending your elbows;
- starting position: sitting on a chair, feet shoulder-width apart; put your right hand on your belt, take a sixteen kilogram weight in your left hand and lean your elbow on your left knee (I don’t weigh the weight); raise and lower the weight with your hand (palm facing up); change position and do the same exercise with the other hand;
- standing position, feet shoulder-width apart; one hand is on the belt, in the other there is a weight of sixteen kilograms, which must be lifted up so that the elbow does not move; change hands.
Exercises for back muscles:
- stand facing the seat of a chair, lean on it with your left hand (back straight, knees slightly bent), take a sixteen kilogram weight in your right hand, lower it down, then pull it to your chest and lower it down again; change hands;
- starting position standing, feet shoulder-width apart; take sixteen kilograms of weights in each hand (straight back), pull up and lower the weights to your chest (both hands at the same time).
Exercises for neck muscles:
- initial position lying on your stomach on a sports bench or on a couch, the head protrudes forward and does not lie on the bench; hang a wide, strong ribbon around your neck and tie a sixteen-kilogram weight to it, then raise and lower your head.
Remember: strength exercises with kettlebells should not be started without consulting a doctor.
For classes you should prepare:
- Magnesia. It is needed to prevent excess sweating from the palms, which will additionally protect the person from the weights slipping out of their hands. In addition, magnesium will protect your palms from abrasions and abrasions. It can be purchased at any sports store. Its price is not very high.
- Suitable clothing that will not interfere with training. It should be free and comfortable.
- Water. You should always have it on hand during training, since during physical activity the body loses a lot of fluid, which needs to be replenished all the time. As a rule, you need to exercise three to five times a week. If you additionally have other physical activities, then two classes per week will be enough. The training duration should be from half an hour (for beginners) to one hour. This will be quite enough for normal muscle function and weight loss.
- Magnesia. It is needed to prevent excess sweating from the palms, which will additionally protect the person from the weights slipping out of their hands. In addition, magnesium will protect your palms from abrasions and abrasions. It can be purchased at any sports store. Its price is not very high.
- Suitable clothing that will not interfere with training. It should be free and comfortable.
- Water. You should always have it on hand during training, since during physical activity the body loses a lot of fluid, which needs to be replenished all the time. As a rule, you need to exercise three to five times a week. If you additionally have other physical activities, then two classes per week will be enough. The training duration should be from half an hour (for beginners) to one hour. This will be quite enough for normal muscle function and weight loss.
An effective weight loss program should include all the most basic forms of exercise using weighted machines.
They have the following names: “mill”, “swing”, “squats”, “deadlift” and others.
Preparing for classes should absolutely always begin with a warm-up, since it is one of the most important parts of the entire workout. Warming up adjusts the muscles to work, promotes a rush of blood to them, which serves to prevent injuries during exercise and helps to achieve greater results from training.
It is best to use jumping rope, running or gymnastics as warm-up exercises.
“Rotation”. It is very simple and is more of a warm-up character. This is done in the following sequence:
- stand up straight and make sure there is free space around you;
- straighten your back, place your feet shoulder-width apart;
- take the weight with both hands and begin to rotate it along its axis (it should not be higher than the waist);
- rotate it first in one direction, then in the other.
Repeat five times in each direction, then take a break and repeat again.
"Bent-over row." Done this way:
- put the weight in your left hand;
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees slightly;
- tilt your back slightly forward (but do not slouch);
- pull the weight to your side, then return it to its original position;
- do the same with the other hand.
Repeat ten times with each hand.
"Squats":
- place a weight between your legs;
- straighten your back and bend your legs slightly at the knees;
- Without tilting, take the weight with both hands;
- stand with her, while still keeping your back straight;
- then slowly lower the weight back.
Repeat fifteen times.
Swing" or "Swing" exercise:
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the weight with both hands;
- slowly sit down with it, moving your knees to the sides;
- carry the weight between your legs, gradually lowering it down;
- after that, stand up and at the same time raise the weight to shoulder level.
Perform the exercise in two sets of ten times.
Exercise "Mill":
- stand straight, place your feet shoulder-width apart;
- lift the weight above you and hold it on your straight arm;
- without lowering it, reach with the other hand to the opposite leg;
- then return to the starting position and repeat all over again, only this time holding the weight in the other hand.
Repeat five times with each hand, taking short breaks.
Stu McGill's discoveries
I've never met a client who couldn't handle kettlebell swings. Because of this, I believed that this exercise was well tolerated by almost everyone. However, some may actually experience pain or discomfort when performing the swing. Stu's research showed that even when recommended to bend at the waist and keep the back in a neutral position, many subjects still flexed and extended their back.
Meanwhile, practice makes perfect. In the video with Marianna, you can see that her back does not bend or straighten. However, if you do experience pain or discomfort during the swing, make sure to flex at the hips and engage your core and glutes.
One interesting and very valuable point that I learned from Stu's recent lecture is that the greatest risk to the spine occurs at the very top of the range of motion, where the kettlebell reaches its highest point. At this moment, the muscles of the middle of the body relax, and therefore the compression force decreases.
Meanwhile, compressive force protects the athlete from shear loads by limiting them, so the moment the kettlebell reaches the top, it begins to pull the body forward, exposing the spine to shear loads. At the same time, in the absence of activation of the core muscles, there is no compression protection against shear. Thus, for those who do not tolerate shear loads well, this becomes a problem.
Stu's latest research using kettlebells found that swings with even a 16-pound kettlebell generated 3,195 N of compression and 461 N of shear load, indicating that the exercise may pose a challenge for some athletes. And if you use heavier weights, then these numbers will be much higher. Therefore, you should not rush to perform heavy swings headlong - use a gradual approach.
Features of organizing exercises for weight loss
Having set yourself the goal of losing extra pounds and doing weights, you need to know the features of constructing such a workout. As one option, you can suggest doing weight loss exercises organized like circuit training. To do this, perform each power element for 30 seconds. Then pause for 1 minute and repeat all the weight loss exercises again. It is recommended to do 2-4 circles.
To lose weight, you will have to exercise 3-5 times a week. But if the body requires rest, this cannot be neglected. You need to get positive emotions from training. Exercising through force will not give the desired effect. And don't forget about proper nutrition. Eat 5 times a day, breaking your menu into small portions. Drink plenty of water (2-3 liters) and reduce the amount of fatty and fried foods you consume.
Don't know how to motivate yourself to do fitness? Take this test and find out what it takes to fall in love with him.
Photos used from Shutterstock
Important point
Before starting strength training, you should definitely see a doctor, preferably a sports doctor, in order to identify any contraindications for this sport. Strength exercises are contraindicated in certain diseases of the cardiovascular system (including varicose veins and hemorrhoids), gastrointestinal tract, liver and biliary tract, respiratory tract, urinary system, visual impairment (especially with a high degree of myopia), disorders with aspects of the musculoskeletal, nervous and endocrine systems.
If physical exertion during strength exercises exceeds the capabilities of a given person’s body, then irreparable harm can be caused to him.
You should know that such exercises are quite traumatic, so you need to do them very carefully. Also, they have the following contraindications:
- Pregnancy.
- Heart diseases.
- Disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Periods after fractures and surgical interventions, when not yet a year has passed since (it is better not to risk your health and fully recover before such stress).
- Haemorrhoids.
- Rachiocampsis.
The key point is the position of the pelvis during swings.
I borrowed the following quote from Pavel Tsatsouline. In general, this quote belongs to two sports legends, Yuri Verkhoshansky and Mel Siff. But the interesting thing is that I came to the same conclusion even before I came across these words.
“The pelvis plays a vital role in effective force production and safety, as it is the main link between the spine and the lower extremities; A neutral pelvic tilt provides the least stressful position for sitting, standing and walking. Other types of pelvic tilt are only necessary when lifting a load (or body weight) or resisting.
But even in such cases, only one type of tilt is sufficient to prevent excessive flexion or extension of the spine. Pelvic abduction is an appropriate pelvic rotation for performing sit-ups or lifting objects above the waist. Conversely, moving the pelvis forward is the correct pelvic rotation for squats and lifting weights from the floor,” Verkhoshansky and Siff, 2009.
If you follow these points while performing kettlebell swings, you will feel the work of the hamstrings when flexing at the hip joint (at the bottom point of the amplitude of the swing) and the gluteal muscles during extension at the hip joint (at the top point of the amplitude of movement).
Blitz tips
- For safe training, you need to have not only good physical fitness, but also clear coordination so as not to lose your balance;
- If this is your first time training with this device, then it is advisable to be under the supervision of a trainer who can insure you in time and explain the rules of working with a kettlebell;
- You should not do such training every day, since the muscles need rest and time to recover;
- You should know that for exercise you need to select special sports shoes with flat soles (sneakers are best), since ordinary shock-absorbing running shoes will be uncomfortable here. In addition, the best option is to train without shoes at all, since in this position you will be able to feel the floor and stand firmly on it, maintaining your balance.
Dear visitors, if you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl Enter. The error will be sent to us and we will fix it, thank you in advance.
Four Ways to Perform Heavy Swings
There are four options for performing heavy swings:
Homemade T-handle. You can make your own homemade T-handle. I made mine after reading about it online, spending about $15 on it. All you need is your local hardware store and the following components:
- One tee for pipes, 2 cm
- One branch pipe for vertical shaft, 2x30 cm
- Two pipes for the “horns”, 2x10 cm, or better a pipe 2x20 cm cut in two
- One masking flange, 2 cm
And, of course, you will need several 10 kg disks to load the pipe. This is what it looks like:
Hungarian Core Blaster. The second option is Hungarian Core Blaster. This tool is better than the homemade T-handle, so if you have the money, buy it. KettleClamp.
The third option is KettleClamp. This is a new invention that turns any dumbbell into a kettlebell. Here's what it looks like:
Finally, you can simply buy very heavy weights.
I purchased my 48kg APOLLO kettlebell at a local sporting goods store and found my 92kg one on eBay. In addition, there are companies that sell them online. If you have the money, then I advise you to choose this option - to buy real heavy weights, since they feel much better when using them. However, the Hungarian Core Blaster is also quite good, as is the KettleClamp.