Kettlebells: It's Russian for all-round fitness

The Russians know a thing or two about strength and fitness. It's no coincidence that Russian athletes have dominated Olympic power and strength events for decades.

Or that the Russian elite forces are recognized as the fittest and strongest in the world. Or that Kostya Tszyu is an all-time great world champion boxer. So what's their secret? Kostya will tell you that it is dedication, mental toughness … and the Kettlebell.

What is a kettlebell?
It looks like a solid cast iron kettle without a spout. It started life in rural Russia as a counter balance for weighing grain. Russian peasants picked it up and swung it around for a bit of convenient weight training.

Over time, the Russian military understood its potential and started to use it, then Russian strongmen, weightlifters and wrestlers. American athletes eventually discovered it. Today it is regarded by fitness experts as the ultimate training tool for all-round fitness and physical development.

How does it work?
Unlike a conventional dumbbell or barbell, the Kettlebell's centre of mass is displaced from the handle. This means the weight constantly pulls against your hand and requires not only strength and co-ordination when exercising with it, but also the recruitment of other muscles through your arms, shoulders and trunk.

The kettlebell is very user-friendly. You can start off by simply carrying a kettlebell around for a period every day, lifting it, swinging it, passing it from hand to hand. As your strength and co-ordination develop you can move on to routines, exercises and heavier weights.

What will it do for me?
Everyone can benefit from a regular kettlebell workout: from those who just want to look and feel good, to elite athletes of all kinds. Primarily a kettlebell workout will develop your all-important body core - back, hips and trunk. You'll also burn fat at an amazing rate and exercise your cardio-vascular system. Because you use your whole body to control the kettlebell you will also strengthen arms and legs.

You can exercise in your own time and space and get genuine results faster than ever before. The overall result will be increased strength, flexibility, timing, muscle tone and general body conditioning. Elite athletes can use advanced exercises and techniques to target various muscle groups and movement patterns.

Who trains with kettlebells?
Everyday people who demand an efficient and extremely effective fitness program. The growing list includes:

• Strength and conditioning coaches and personal trainers all over the world
• AFL clubs Essendon, Collingwood, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Fremantle & Geelong
• Rugby League teams
• Australian Institute of Sport
• Boxing Champion's like Kostya Tszyu
• Body Building and Martial Arts Champions
• Australian SAS, Army, Navy & Air Force
• Defense force operations all over the world.
• Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and Chiropractors
• Celebrities like Sylvester Stallone, Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz & Angelina Jolie.


Australian Kettlebells founder and owner Rick Ravensdale produced the first kettlebell for his own use in 2000. Soon after, he realised the potential of the kettlebell as one of the most effective tools for strength and conditioning. Since launching Australian Kettlebells, the company's product range has grown considerably and now includes: Kettlebells, Clubbells, Resistance Bands or Power Bands, Weighted Vests or Power Vests, Weight Lifting Equipment from Zhang Kong, and Captains of Crush Grippers / Hand Grippers among others.