Kettlebell (KB) training as we know it today is of Russian heritage. In Russia even before the Soviet Union was established KB's have always been associated with power. Old time Russian Strongmen were referred to as Girevik which means kettlebell man. At the turn of the last century all training and equipment in gyms were functional and kettlebells were a staple of the gym. With time as the western world modernized we adapted to working out the easy and in a lazy way with weight machines and other non-functional apparatus. So KB's the best piece of equipment in the gym was lost until now.

With the growing obesity epidemic in America we are now looking back to the healthy life style of our fore fathers. Functional retro training is coming back and what is old is new again. We are expierencing a kettlebell revolution. Yet, while we laid dormant KB training gave the Soviet the edge in sports. No wonder the Soviet Union dominated the Olympics. We can thank Russian fitness expert and Master of Sports Pavel Tsatsouline, Dragon Door Publications and their team of instructors (Mike Mahler and numerous others) for re-introducing and popularizing KB training in America.

A Cuban Judoka friend of Julio Anta co-owner with his wife Elena of Anta's Fitness and Self Defense was amazed to see KB's at the training center. He said that he had not seen a Girya since his days of training as a pilot in the former Soviet Union. He also said that every Russian had Girya's in their small tight dorm and trained with them daily.

Kettlebell training is the ultimate workout for the average out of shape person to the elite athlete or martial artist. The Kettlebell Revolution is here. You can tear your gym membership and get in the best shape of your life with this convenient simple piece of equipment. KB's are small in size and portable so you can throw them in your car and drive to the beach, park or to a friends house for a workout. You can take them on a business trip or on vacation. So if going to a gym is not for you there is no need to visit a gym ever again.

Some gyms are starting to have KB programs thanks to Adam and Michelle Khai Cronin of Kettlebell Concepts. Kettlebell Concepts is bringing KB training to the mainstream fitness industry. One day aerobic training, aerobic machines and fixed specific body part weight machines will be things of the past. The future of fitness lies in this compact aerobic and anaerobic functional workout, the kettlebell.