I have used kettlebells in my training quite a bit over the years. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but almost always to at least some extent.
Every now and then, when I’ve felt extra cocky, I’ve tried my hand at what is called kettlebell juggling.
It is exactly what it sounds like:
Juggling large steel balls over your head. Spinning, twisting, throwing, and catching.
It is not easy and definitely not for locales with expensive floors, but it IS fun.
It’s been a while since I last tried it, but I recently stumbled on an inspiring video that makes me feel like trying it again.
Masterful Kettlebell Juggling
In the video, 56-year-old Steph Sorensson, a certified kettlebell trainer, displays astonishing strength and coordination as she makes juggling with a 6 kg kettlebell look easy.
Click the image below to check the video out.
Also, make sure to follow Steph for more kettlebell content!
Some Pointers For Starting With Kettlebell Juggling
First of all I want to say this: I’m not an expert on kettlebell juggling! I’m not even an amateur.
If you want to get started with it, I recommend finding an instructor or guide to show you how to practice safely.
From the very limited experience I have with kettlebell juggling, I do want to give you two pieces of advice:
- Start light. In the video, Steph uses a 6 kg kettlebell, and she is both strong and experienced. I did my first tries with a 24 kg kettlebell. It went … bad. And led me to my next recommendation.
- Start outside. And someplace where it doesn’t matter if you drop a heavy (or light) weight dozens or hundreds of times. Because you’re gonna drop it. A lot. My attempts at kettlebell juggling made the lawn look as if a small swarm of meteorites had hit it.
And another tip that I think I saw in one of Steph’s videos: use steel cap shoes. Sounds like good advice, but maybe not something that everyone has in their home.
I came to think of one last advice, that I read in Pavel Tsatsoulines book on kettlebell training over a decade ago:
Never compete with a kettlebell for space. The kettlebell will win.
More Kettlebell Content
We are still lacking in kettlebell content here at StrengthLog, but we intend to rectify that this year.
In the meantime, here is some further reading about kettlebells.
- How to Do Kettlebell Swing. The kettlebell swing is a fundamental kettlebell move. Learn how to perform one and which muscles it works.
- Short and Sweaty Kettlebell Workout: Descending Swing & Squat Ladder. Don’t know what to train? Got a kettlebell? Then I’ve got you covered, buddy. Here’s a short and sweaty kettlebell workout that will leave your glutes, legs, and lungs pumping. It doesn’t take much longer than ten minutes but is still a great workout.
- Training Your Core Using Kettlebells: Should You Perform One-armed or Two-armed Swings? Does performing one-armed swings differ from two-armed when it comes to activating your core muscles? A study from earlier this year had 15 resistance-trained men perform 10 reps of both one-armed and two-armed kettlebell swings.
