This boards’ opinions on kettle bells

Every time I try to do swings I end up with a strained hamstring.

I would have a few if they weren't so expensive. I'd use them in super set fashion with a main lift.

I like them, but hate KB snatches at heavier weights.

They are an awesome workout tool and can allow a person to really open up their workouts.

That said, most folks who occasionally use KBs really don't have the form down, I would find a local instructor and do a few KB introductory classes and really focus on your form (shouldn't that be the case for every exercise?).

My advice, work on the basic swing, once you have that down work on a swing to a clean position, then once you have that down try a KB snatch. Once you have the snatch down everything else should be easy.

Heaviest KB at my gym goes up to like 56 pounds.

I rally like the two armed swing, cleans, clean and jerks and the Turkish get up. I also like the move called around the world where you rotate the kettle bell around your head with two hands. It’s an awesome shoulder exercise.

Thanks for all the responses. I think the best thing I did was start out with low weight and perfect form and increase weight very gradually and slowly.

To the individual who tweaks the hamstring, I used to have really weak hamstrings and I attribute them to not hurting anymore to the swings and cleans

I can DB snatch over 100, but the KB crushes my forearm.

I think the barbell with a center knurl is more advanced tech

Ah see the center knurl is for the one handed snatch. Useless my arse