Kettlebells for The Ultimate Home Gym

I used to love going to the gym. As an office worker it was my sanctuary, the place I went to when I wanted to sweat my stresses away. And also do a bit of socialising - all those like minded people. At the time it was a good thing, but now I realise that spending hours working out was preventing me from getting the incredible results that I could achieve.

As a trainer, my love for the gym waned rapidly. The lighting, the incessant repetitive music, the fact that most people jump on machines thinking that they will get results by just attending, the mindless plodding away on a cross trainer while watching TV...

As a freelance trainer, I began to get much more creative. Skipping, boxing, bodyweight exercises all began to feature more in my programmes, as I didn't have the 'fall back' of all the shiny gym equipment.

But, despite seemingly 'compromising' I began to get better and better results! The workouts were more fun and dynamic, and could be done absolutely anywhere. Both me and my clients were benefitting from the fresh air and wellbeing effects of the great outdoors.

However, it was not until I discovered kettlebells that my clients (and my) results began to skyrocket. I invested in a selection and cleared space in the garage. I bought a few DVDs and was blown away! I was not even moving from the small space I had in the garage, yet I was getting the best workouts of my life.

Kettlebells allow you workout in numerous different ways, all with the same tool. You can work strength, strength-endurance, endurance, power and flexibility all with one object. The key is manipulating the set and rest periods, or the way you are holding the kettlebell.

One of the main factors in choosing equipment for working out at home is maximising space, and kettlebells are great in that respect. You really can have 1 or 2 and get a wealth of great training in, and they are easy to stash in a cupboard or under a bed (and make great doorstoppers!) while you're not actually using them. You can throw (well, place) them in the car and take them to the park or the beach, so you can start enjoying your exercise surroundings as well as the workout.

So, efficiency all round: time efficient as you don't have to travel to the gym, space efficient as they can be neatly stored and you don't even need much space to actually use them, and workout-time efficient as you get more bang for your buck, burning more calories and getting a more effective workout in minimal time.

Give them a try!