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.
Where to start and what rules must be followed during training
Since exercises with kettlebells are chosen as a method of losing weight, first of all you will need the load itself. And here you need to carefully select the right sports equipment so as not to harm yourself or tear your muscles. Beginners who have not yet encountered this type of training should pay particular attention to this point. For men starting to work with weights, light weights that weigh no more than 5 or 7 kilograms are quite suitable. But too small a mass will not bring the desired effect. The weight must be selected so that during work the load on muscle tissue and tendons is felt.
Next, you should adhere to a few simple principles of working with a kettlebell:
- If possible, it is best to conduct training in a place where you won’t accidentally damage or break anything. This primarily applies to home projects, where you can overdo it and, subsequently, repair the floor or change furniture. A good option is to exercise outdoors. This will also help to consistently saturate the body and muscles with oxygen. But still, caution and vigilance will not hurt.
- In the intervals between approaches, it is highly undesirable to relax the body, as this will significantly affect the following stages. Too much rest will not allow you to fully continue working, so light exercises or just walking can replace a bench or sofa.
- There is an opinion that a mirror helps to monitor the correctness of actions during exercise. Unfortunately, with kettlebells, mirrors can do more harm than good. Being distracted by your own reflection can cause distraction and injury.
- Instead of daily exercise for proper weight loss, it is preferable to create a schedule that must be strictly followed. With this approach, it is easier to set small goals and gradually achieve them, as well as give the body rest and time to recover from stress.
- In contrast to the previous point, it is worth mentioning that you should not exercise if you are not in the mood or have the strength, since you will definitely not be able to achieve the required result. It would be more prudent to postpone the training to another day.
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You should also not forget about comfortable clothes that do not restrict movement, and shoes with flat soles. For men, the use of gloves is undesirable, since they distort muscle sensations and can negatively affect training. A bottle of water should also be on the list of required items. The body loses a large amount of fluid and needs to be replenished. You should drink in small sips.
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.
What are the benefits of exercising with kettlebells?
A weight is a ball with a handle. With the help of such a projectile, ballistic and strength exercises are performed to lose weight and strengthen muscles.
Athletes and fitness trainers include the following among the positive qualities of the subject under consideration:
Kettlebell exercises increase endurance by making muscles strong and wiry.
- One dynamic workout with a kettlebell is equal to 2-3 sessions on weight machines.
- The range of motion when performing tasks using a kettlebell is increased by the weight of the apparatus. Thanks to this, the flexibility of the body improves.
- Kettlebell training is useful for improving coordination and increasing physical endurance.
- Exercises strengthen the muscles of the lumbar region and have a beneficial effect on the state of the cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal system.
- Kettlebell training allows you to get rid of pain in the lower back, shoulders and neck.
- Thanks to the intensity of movement, metabolism improves.
- The sports item becomes an extension of the hand. It swings freely due to shocks and transmitted impulses, and its weight is concentrated in the ball. When swinging arms with dumbbells, a person overloads the muscles, since the mass of the object is distributed on two sides.
- The sports equipment is used both in the gym under the guidance of a specialist and at home.
- A kettlebell is a durable and wear-resistant item.
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.
What muscles work during kettlebell training?
Exercises with a projectile involve the muscles of the limbs, chest, abs and pelvis. Therefore, using kettlebells is suitable for overall body development. It is possible to use the apparatus for isotonic exercises, but the main goal is the development of all muscle groups.
When working with a projectile, the stabilizing muscles – adductors and abductors – are subject to load. Due to the shape of the projectile, the activation and use of abductors and adductors is required, while the motor skills of the groups are wider due to the varied number of movements. Traditional sports equipment - dumbbells and barbells - use the adductor and abductor muscles weaker during work.
Be sure to read: A set of exercises in the gym for women to lose weight: how to create a program
Therefore, during kettlebell lifting the following are especially active:
- leg muscles (quadriceps and adductors);
- back of the body (longissimus, gluteal, pelvic, biceps femoris muscles);
- body (press and stabilizing);
- arm muscles (especially the forearm).
To increase the effectiveness of exercise, you need to learn how to distribute the level of load throughout the body. Lack of footwork significantly reduces the results of the training.
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.
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.
Triceps
Neutral grip kettlebell press
This exercise is similar to the regular bench press discussed above. However, the emphasis here is on the triceps due to a different grip - the shells need to be taken with a neutral grip, that is, the palms will face each other, and the weights will hang down to the sides. There is also a difference in movement - when lowering, you should not spread your elbows to the sides, but keep them as close to the body as possible. At the top point, fully extend your arms. You can perform it either on a bench (preferred option) or on the floor.
If there is only one projectile, you can press it with both hands at once, holding the bottom and not forgetting about the correct trajectory of the elbows:
Arm extensions from behind the head
An alternative to the French press. This exercise is even easier to perform with a kettlebell than with dumbbells, since it is more convenient to hold.
The technique is as follows:
- We sit on a bench, sofa or chair without a high back. Raise the projectile above your head in any convenient way and hold it with both hands by the handle so that it hangs back.
- As you inhale, gently lower it down, bending your arms. Make sure that your elbows do not move too far to the sides. Also be careful not to hit your head.
- As you exhale, extend your arms to the starting position.
The exercise can be performed while standing, but it is more convenient to maintain balance while sitting.
Photocreo Bednarek - stock.adobe.com
If it’s too easy for you, you can do extensions with one hand:
Ocskay Mark - stock.adobe.com
Kettlebell push-ups with narrow arms
Push-ups can also be done by focusing on the triceps rather than the pecs. To do this, we place the apparatus shoulder-width apart, and when lowering, we do not spread our elbows, but keep them as close to the body as possible. Extend your elbows to the end in each repetition.
gpointstudio - stock.adobe.com
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
General rules
Before you start training, you should pay attention to sports shoes: lifting in the heel area, sliding, springy and high platforms are excluded. It is important that the stance is stable and that the center of gravity does not shift forward.
During movements using the apparatus, the muscles of the shoulder girdle, posterior part of the body (back, lower back, hips and buttocks), core and legs (adductors and quadriceps) are involved. To increase the effectiveness of exercises and avoid injuries, it is important to properly load the muscles. The impulse for swinging and pushing movements must be created through the work of the hips and buttocks.
Kettlebell training is aimed at strengthening muscles and reducing body weight, but not at increasing the volume of muscle tissue. To remove the belly, make your arms, buttocks and legs beautiful, classes must be carried out under the supervision of an instructor or independently 3-5 times a week.
Before each workout, you should warm up for up to 20 minutes using stretching exercises, jumping rope, or running in place.
The weight of the kettlebell, the intensity and frequency of exercise should be increased gradually. The recommended weight of the projectile for beginners is 5–6 kg. For experienced users - 12–16 kg and above.
In the process of working on the body, it is important to use an integrated approach, which includes systematic training and proper nutrition.
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.
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.
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