Some common questions…

1. Will I get big bulky muscles from using kettlebells?
2. I currently train in a gym using machines. Why should I train at the Kettlebell Studio?
3. How are kettlebells different from other types of weight training?
4. Are kettlebells really good for losing weight?
5. Can kettlebell training be dangerous?
6. Is kettlebelling suitable for all ages?
7. How do I sign up for the next course?
8. What should I wear to a class?
9. Do you have changing rooms at the studio?
10. How do you take payment?
11. What happens if I’m late for a taster or course session?
12. What happens if I miss a course session entirely?
13. I can’t make it to your courses because of other commitments on those days. What alternatives do you offer?
14. Can you do this form of exercise to strengthen an injured back such as a slipped disk for example?

1.         Will I get big bulky muscles from using kettlebells?

No. To bulk up using weight takes a lot of hard work. It’s not easy to get that way and you will not see many body builders using kettlebells. With a kettlebell you are engaging more of the bodies muscles with a relatively light weight and with a large range of movement which has the effect of making the muscle lean and toned instead of bulky.

2.       I currently train in a gym using machines. Why should I train at the Kettlebell Studio?

Most kettlebell exercises involve large ranges of movements engaging more of the body’s muscle system to complete the exercise. Because of this, a full body workout can be achieved in a minimal amount of time because major muscle groups are involved in a single exercise. A fully complete and sufficient kettlebell workout can be achieved in our 30 minute sessions. Also, full body movements more closely mimic the demands we put on our bodies in our everyday lives. This simply cannot be achieved with most gym machines. You will not be charged a phenomenal annual membership fee which you have to pay whether you attend or not – at the Kettlebell Studio you don’t lose money. Your exercise effect will be monitored throughout your session and you will receive an email report after each session, so you can really see how your sessions are helping you to become fitter. You do not get this even after an hour’s workout on various machines in the gym.

3.       How are kettlebells different from other types of weight training?

Kettlebells help you to use more of the body’s muscles because you’re using momentum and not brute strength to move the bell. When you are using a free weight or other type of weight they tend to work your muscles in one direction, which is not the best way to work your body to gain the best results. One of the reasons why the kettlebell is so effective is that it can work more of the body’s muscles in one short session, giving people results quicker which last longer than other forms of weight training.

4.       Are kettlebells really good for losing weight?

They are without a doubt one of the best fat burning tools. To be truly effective when losing weight you need a good combination of a food and exercise plan. In a study in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism done on a group of women, it was found that weight training increases the metabolic rate and can keep it elevated for four to eight hours after exercise has finished. With kettlebell training you can achieve up to a 600-800 calorie burn in one session. When done correctly this high burn rate will stay high throughout your day.

5.       Can kettlebell training be dangerous?

To date there have been no serious injuries sustained whilst training using our PowerBell Pump™ kettlebell training system. When you undertake any exercise, whether it be using the treadmill or doing some pushups, if poor form is used or the wrong weights selected the likelihood of injury is greatly increased. Our coaches are extremely safety-conscious and we ensure classes remain small in order to establish and maintain safe technique for all participants. In order to kettlebell safely, personal guidance is highly recommended to ensure exercises are performed correctly and the appropriate weights are used according to the exercise and ability.

6.       Is kettlebelling suitable for all ages?

Kettlebelling is suitable for all ages. In some schools in Russia, it is still compulsory for 8 year olds to use kettlebells as part of their PE training. Some of our older clients are in their 60’s and 70’s and are doing very well with kettlebell training which helps with bone density and flexibility. For younger people the increase in strength and stamina and range of movement is useful for sports activities. If kettlebells were brought into schools in the UK, we surely wouldn’t have the same problem with obesity which is a major current issue with our young population. The minimum age for a kettlebell course participant at the Kettlebell Studio is 18 however, as we are not currently running any children’s courses.

7.       How do I sign up for the next course?

You first need to have had a free taster session, to familiarise yourself with kettlebelling, and to ensure it’s safe for you to train with kettlebells. Click here to register for your free taster session. Once we have assessed you, you will be able to start training on one of the courses for beginners, the details of which the coach will give you. If you have completed a course already, your coach will give you the available times and days for the next level.

8.       What should I wear to a class?

You should wear comfortable clothing under which you can easily put on a heart rate monitor across your chest and bring a bottle of water with you.

9.       Do you have changing rooms at the studio?

Yes, we have a changing room which is divided into two, one side for men, the other for women. The blue curtains denote the men’s changing area, and the white denote the women’s changing area. We also have a single shower room.  

10.       How do you take payment?

You can pay by cheque or cash at your first sessions. Once we have received your payment, we will confirm your place in a class, on a course, or contact you to arrange times and dates of Personal Coaching sessions if you have opted for these.

11.   What happens if I’m late for a taster or course session?

The session will have to start without you, on schedule. It is critical you get to the course sessions on time because once the session starts, we will be unable to give you a heart rate monitor to use so you will not be monitored during that session. If you are late for a personal taster, our time will be limited but we’ll do what we can in the time we have left provided it is a reasonable amount of time (i.e. less than 15mins late – the session is 1hr). If it’s a group taster session, depending how late you are, you may not be able to participate, however, if we are running several and there are spaces free you may be able to join a later session. Failing that, you will need to come back to the website and re-book.

12.   What happens if I miss a course session entirely?

First and foremost we will do our best to ensure you will not lose your money. For more information on this, see our payment page.

13.   I can’t make it to your courses because of other commitments on those days. What alternatives do you offer?

We are very flexible, and whether you’re a single parent or a busy executive, an occasional tennis player or a county hockey team, we want you to experience how effective and useful a training system kettlebelling is. We can offer personally tailored one-to-one coaching at your home using the PowerBell Pump™ system, or you could get together a small group of friends or team mates and book coaching sessions at home or in a park in order to cut costs. Email us with your enquiry and we’ll do what we can to find a solution to your personal or group needs.

14.   Can you do this form of exercise to strengthen an injured back such as a slipped disc for example?

Yes, but it depends on where the disc is and whether there’s any scar tissue. The exercises we would do for this type of injury would be to strengthen the core, these exercises would be done in an upright position because they are more functional to your lifestyle so that hopefully they would prevent you from slipping your disc again.

Do you have a question for us, that isn’t answered here?