Re: adjustable kettlebells

[Guest guest]

--- In , <slethnobotanist@...>

wrote:

>

> Gene, TB, and other kettlebellers,

>

> Anyone ever use these?

>

> http://www.kettlestack.com/

>

,

No way. Looks like a great idea but it's lousy in practice. Nobody

wants to switch out plates between sets so it gets used as a regular

bell would, except it ain't got that swing.

Do you know of what material the handles are made?

It looks questionable in the pic.

Having assisted at (n) kettlebell seminars and seen innumerable

varieties of bells, I say the Dragon Door bells are the best I've

seen. There is another make out there almost the same but the handle's

are even a little fatter, maybe. Not sure who makes them or if I'm

imagining it.

Other makes usually have impractical handle shapes--generally too

narrow--but one had a coarse surface for some unimaginable reason,

presumably for traction but gee, that was a bloody mess.

B.

[Guest guest]

> Why don't you just wear gloves? That's what I do. I got them after a

callous

> opened up from doing snatches. It prevented me from doing my usual

workout

> for several days, so I got gloves and have been very happy with them.

>

>

Suze,

Real kettlebellers don't wear gloves. Gloves impede developing grip

strength. Callouses rip off when the hands aren't properly cared for;

keep them filed down with an emery board.

Not that you can't wear gloves if you like, but you can't be hardcore.

(Like Gene.)

B.

[Guest guest]

> OIC. I haven't noticed any reduction in grip strength, but then I

haven't

> given it any thought. I'm currently using a light weight for

snatches, but

> my trainer just ordered a 25 lber. (or whatever that size is between

8 and

> 16 kgs) and that'll be more challenging for me. I've been using an 8 kg

> weight for snatches.

>

> I've also been using the gloves for clean and push presses with a

> challenging weight - 16 kgs and it's true that my cleans haven't

been great

> form, and I think this, plus the snatches is where I got the

callouses. I'll

> talk to my trainer about gloves impeding grip strength and maybe try

without

> for a bit as my clean form has improved dramatically in the last few

weeks.

>

Suze,

Hey. The kettlebell you're using, does it have the skinny, angular,

handle or a fat handle with a smallish bell?

It is very difficult to maintain a good grip on the 18-lb. kb with the

skinny handle so you may be best off using gloves until you get the

heavier weight.

Callouses are nevitable afaik, but keep your hands lotioned so they

don't get too dry. I trim them with nail-clippers and smooth with a

file. Or what Gene said.

The heavier weight will considerably improve your form--cool!

I can get you 20% off kb's if you'd like to support the DD war

machine. (Just as a courtesy, I don't make anything.) Shipped

directly to you.

B.

[Guest guest]

> > Anyone ever use these?

> >

> > http://www.kettlestack.com/

> >

> ,

>

> No way. Looks like a great idea but it's lousy in practice. Nobody

> wants to switch out plates between sets so it gets used as a regular

> bell would, except it ain't got that swing.

I don't understand " ain't got that swing " , what do you mean ?

Thanks,

BJ

[Guest guest]

> I don't understand " ain't got that swing " , what do you mean ?

>

BJ,

Is that you Wanita? In my experience with them--which is limited--the

variations on kettlestacks have awkward handles, shapes, and weight

distribution compared to cast-iron kb's.

Maybe I'm just used to the iron bells and if I didn't have iron,

perhaps I'd be content with the other. As it is, I think the iron is

worth the investment.

I don't want to say too much if you already know your kettlebells, but

it's all about the swing, and if a bell has an imbalanced feel to it,

it creates obstacles in the motion.

B.

[Guest guest]

> > > > Anyone ever use these?

> > > >

> > > > http://www.kettlestack.com/

> >

[Guest guest]

--- In , Gene Schwartz <implode7@...>

wrote:

> >>>>> > > > > Anyone ever use these?

> >>>>> > > > > http://www.kettlestack.com/

> >>> > >

[Guest guest]

> Well, I wish you luck. I simply cannot imagine doing snatches with

those, at least comfortably.

Hi,

Imagination wasn't required. I stacked some weight plates on the edge

of a desk, tweaked the shape like the front page picture, and rolled

my forearm against the stack - no sharp edges. The real test will be

when they are bolted together and gravity kicks in. We'll see.

[Guest guest]

> Imagination wasn't required. I stacked some weight plates on the edge

> of a desk, tweaked the shape like the front page picture, and rolled

> my forearm against the stack - no sharp edges. The real test will be

> when they are bolted together and gravity kicks in. We'll see.

Hi BJ,

I looked around the kettlestack site a little for better comprehension

instead of just looking at the picture this time and, depending on the

handle, they do seem kinda cool, especially if you're just using them

as an adjunct.

I like the obvious thought and detail they've put into making it work

and I like that it makes it affordable and thus more attainable for

people who are interested but don't wish to be kettle-fools.

Still, neither can I imagine snatching that thing without incident. Do

you know of what material the handle is made? I'm concerned because

slipping is such a hazard with those things.

It says the handles are smaller in diameter than regular kbs, making

them good for women, but I have big hands so that's not a bonus for

me. I read the review from Krista, and she likes them well enough:

http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/displayarticle.php?aid=49

but look how much distance there is between stack and handle in the

lower-right photo--it looks like it would be gnarly to do ballistics

and have that bad-boy/girl crash over your wrist. It looks hard to

control.But nor have I tried it.

Also, this dude

http://www.kettlestack.com/DOCS/afewgoodlifts.pdf

while he appears plenty strong with adequate grip-strength, is bending

his wrist back in several pics--don't do that!--(is that a *kneeling*

snatch? huh.)and the move where he does an overhead ballistic--the

snatch--is precisely the one wherein he is farking up his wrist the

worst on the finish, so that may be a red flag, else it is just too

heavy a stack for him. Or he just didn't realise he was doing it,

which is common enough.

So, those things look intriguing and I'd love to hear about how they

work out.

B.

[Guest guest]

> You mean I'm supposed to be filing my palms?

>

> Seriously?

>

> Methinks I'll pass...

,

Should be no problem for you; do it each day after filing your teeth.

B.

[Guest guest]

> We'll see.

>

Ok, I got the kettlestack package in the mail yesterday.

The instructions were clear but didn't explain some of the points that

the rest of the site went in to depth on. Even so, in a few minutes I

had a 35 and 45 lb pair that looked like the gallery pictures.

I tried some swings, cleans, presses. The handle seems about the

right texture and size. At first, my wrist was getting bent back on

overhead stuff, and a plate dug in to my forearm. I adjusted the

handle out about 1/2 " away from the weights and retweaked the shape so

they were comfortable. Even with the " dreaded " snatchs.

A day later, and I take the whole setup and approach for granted. I

just quickchanged up to 60lbs for a few sets of swings before going

off to work. My experience seems consistent with the reviews and

testimonials from actual users, but your mileage may vary. Now to

focus on form, keep at it and clean up the diet. Hope that's useful.