GiryaGirl - Kettlebell Fitness Training for Women

What is a kettlebell?

A spherical cast iron weight of a given size with a large, usually thick handle protruding from the top. Often, the bottom of the kettlebell will be slightly flattened. Kettlebells are usually painted or sealed against rust, and are sometimes given a colorful rubber coating. Sometimes kettlebells are referred to by their Russian name: Girya, similarly, a person who practices or competes in kettlebell sport is sometimes referred to as a Girevik.

Where can I find a kettlebell?

Dragon Door was one of the first places to offer kettlebells in the USA, still they are the number one place to go for amazing quality kettlebells.
Muscle Driver USA has kettlebells in several styles, including rubber coated fitness styles and a very affortable "Grey Series" kettlebell that I have been extremely happy with.
You can also find small kettlebells at sporting goods stores.

What should I look for when buying a kettlebell?

First of all, make sure the kettlebell is smooth all over, including and ESPECIALLY the inside of the handle - the last thing you want to do is cut or tear your hand when trying to exercise. Speaking of handles, it is important to get a kettlebell with a handle large enough to fit BOTH hands on it - many times, women will try and find the lightest kettlebell available, only to end up with something that can't used properly and which ends up becoming an adorable little paperweight or doorstop. For this reason, the kettlebells sold by Dragon Door and Muscle Driver USA offer a particular advantage - they make the handles correctly. Of course, if you are unsure, locating an RKC certified instructor can really be the right answer - not only will they have kettlebells for you to try out, they will be able to instruct you how to lift and swing them properly.