What is Kettlebell Training And How Can it Affect Injury Rehab?

“What is kettlebell training?” That’s one of the most common questions that new members ask at the Art of Strength training facility in West Bloomfield. While it’s not the easiest question to answer, the basis of it lies in picking up a heavy object like a kettlebell and using it to achieve your goals.

While losing weight and gaining muscle are some obvious goals for kettlebell users, what many don’t know is that they can also be successfully used for injury rehab. Whether it’s your back, foot, hip or knees, kettlebells are the perfect addition to a workout for anyone on the mend.

“We got Thor star Chris Hemsworth in here. I’ve got Miley Cyrus in here. I’ve got the actors. I’ve got the athletes. People who are using these tools to get themselves in game shape,” AOS head trainer Mike Knight explained when asked what is kettlebell training used for. “But that’s not the complete basis of our program. The meat of our population is people who have back issues, people with herniated discs and other injuries. We’re actually licensed as a rehab center.”

Perry Nickelston, an author and Doctor of Chiropractic, agrees with Knight that kettlebell training can help to train the body how to move properly and allow for increased flexibility. In a recent article for Dynamic Chiropractic, Nickelston wrote, “One of the primary areas of the body that causes back pain via dysfunctional movement patterns is the hip joint and glutei muscles.” Stressing the importance of the mobility of both the hips and lower back, Nickelston suggests that training both has a direct effect on functionality after injury. “A well-performed swing teaches hip hinging and glute/hip extension under a controlled, weighted environment,” Nickelston says. “The ability to ‘hip hinge’ is vital to learning the proper mechanism of lifting and bending to alleviate additional stressors to the lower back.”

The Art of Strength team of Michigan personal trainers have seen some pretty nasty injuries, but none have been as impressive as the recovery of AOS Success Story Ben Israel. After jumping off his roof, teenage hockey star Ben destroyed his ankle and was unable to walk for months, let alone play hockey. Yet, within weeks of starting to workout with Mike Knight, Israel could already feel his injury healing better. After only three months, Ben was back on the ice and better than ever. “I know my bones would have heeled without Mike,” Ben says.”But I feel like he helped it happen faster, and made me stronger.”

During your next visit to Art of Strength ask not “What is kettlebell training,” ask what can kettlebell training do for you? Whether losing weight, toning up your body or healing the ultimate injury, the AOS team of personal trainers in Michigan will have you singing the praises of kettlebells after just a few workouts.