Kettlebells to Become Fitter in the Mountains

We don’t move gracefully 24/7. We trip, we climb stairs, we carry kids and fur kids, groceries and gym bags. You might be a mountain athlete too, or aspire to hike, climb and hit the slopes more. How can you train efficently to improve coordination, endurance and strength?

Enter: Kettlebells. 

Kettlebells are time efficient by combining cardiovascular intensity with strength training.

When you’re swinging heavy spheres of iron around, it’s hard to take short cuts and cheat – so you’ll feel and see results even faster!

They are never-ending useful tool. Here’s a run down of what you gain with kettlebells:

• Massive grip and forearm strength: Every movement has you holding kettlebells by the horns. 
• Kettlebells place you in a constant change of gravity, leading to a stronger core. You can be prepared for the unexpected on the slopes (or sidewalks. Or stairs at home.)
• Kettlebell training builds unique power endurance by combing cardiovascular muscular and power endurance. In other words, you’ll  last longer in the mountains and send more.
• All this work? You still improve your mobility and stability. You cannot cheat how you move with a heavy chunk of iron in complete control of you. 

Here are two of my favorite kettlebell circuits, combining cardiovascular intensity and strength!

Kettlebell Workout One: Full Body 

3 – 5 sets of 5 reps each movement

• Double Kettlebell Swings
• Front rack double Kettlebell Squats
• Double KB Strict presses
• Kettlebell Renegade Rows (with a push up each rep)

*You can do each exercise separately or use the same pair of kettlebells and work through each one without putting the kettlebells down!

Rest up to 2:00 minutes after each round.

Kettlebell Workout Two: Offset Leg Workout 

Complete four rounds of:

• Left rack kettlebell squat (do 4 reps then switch to right rack) This is a core stabilizing challenge too!
• Single leg KB deadlifts: You can hold a kettlebell in each hand, or just one with the opposite hand  (4 each leg)
• Goblet Reverse Lunges: Hold the kettlebell by the horns (8 each leg)
• 20 Russian Kettlebell Swings

Rest after each round for 1 – 2 minutes. Change weight for each movement best suited for you. Challenge yourself, move well and rest as needed!

If you enjoyed these and are intrigued, we offer a 6 week Kettlebell Program!