The Rise of the Kettlebells

I've noticed a recent trend in fitness lately, which is the return of the kettlebell. The kettlebell is a 1920's strongman-era weight training device. Essentially, it's a cannon ball with a handle on it. While I'm sure it was a revolutionary idea at the time (attaching handles to things), I'm a bit puzzled by the revival of this seemingly anachronistic apparatus for one main reason: the existence of the dumbbell.

The dumbbell not only offers superior handling along with increased flexibility in the number of ways it can be used, they are also widely available and relatively inexpensive when compared to a kettlebell. Literally every single exercise you can do with a kettlebell, you can do with a dumbbell. Did anyone stop to think about why we quit using kettlebells in the first place? Maybe it's because not everyone looks good with a handle-bar mustache and a leopard print singlet. Fitness trends will always come and go, and while my Suzanne Somers Thighmaster still sees a fair bit of action, my Patrick Duffy Chinfirmer is still stuffed away in the closet next to the lawn darts and Missionary Conquest: The Board Game.

My point being: next time a personal trainer asks you if you're interested in trying out some "revolutionary piece of fitness equipment" just kick him (0r her) in the kettleballs.