Kettlebells showed better scores
Voropayev (1983) observed two groups of college students over a period of a few years. To gauge their performance, he used a standard battery of the armed forces PT tests: pullups, broad jump, 100m sprint, and a 1k run. The control group followed a typical university physical education program that emphasized the above exercises. The experimental group just lifted kettlebells. In spite of the lack of practice on the tested drills, the kettlebell groups showed better scores in every one of them!
Researchers at the Lesgaft Physical culture Institute in Leningrad (Vinogradov & Lukyanov, 1986) found a very high correlation between the results posted in a kettlebell competition and a great range of dissimilar tests: strength, measured with the three powerlifts and grip strength; strength endurance, measured with pullups and parallel bar dips; general endurance, determined by a 1000 meter run; and work capacity and balance, measured with special tests.
Great for your Heart
Siberian scientist Shevtasove (1993) verified what is obvious to any kettlebeller. She recorded a long-term decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. They clocked an average resting heart rate of 56 beats per minute.
Surprisingly safe
Only 8.8 percent of top Russian kettlebell atheltes reported injuries in training or competition (Voropayev, 1997). A remarkably low number, especially if you consider that these were not regular guys but elite athletes who push their bodies over the edge.
Melt fat / fix body composition
The Russian kettlebell is a powerful tool for fixing your body composition, whichever way it needs fixing. According to Voropayev (1997) who studied top Russian kettlebell athletes, 21.2% increased their bodyweight since taking up kettlebells and 21.2% (not a typo, the exact same percent), mostly heavyweights, decreased it.
Kettlebells build strength
The Russian Special Forces personnel owe much of their wiry strength, lethal agility, and never-quitting stamina to kettlebells. Solder, Be Strong! (1985) the official Soviet armed forces strength training manual, pronounced kettlebell drills to be “one of the most effective means of strength development” representing “a new era in the development of the human strength-potential.”
Never too old or too young
In the 1995 Russian Kettlebell Championship, the youngest contestant was 16, the oldest 53! We are talking elite competition here; the range is even wider if you are training for yourself rather than for the gold.
