Kettlebells for Women: Workouts for Your Strong, Sculpted and Sexy Body

I have been working out with kettlebells a lot this year (have lost 43 pounds and hit my goal weight, though not exclusively due to kettlebells, and am now transitioning to a maintenance stage for my weight). I have some kettlebell DVDs and I use them regularly so I feel like I am doing all right with form. But, I get a little bored with DVDs. You are doing the same routine week after week. (The other thing I don't like about DVDs is all the rest time. If I have set aside time for exercise, I'd rather be moving.) I really wanted an actual book with photos of exercises and sample exercise routines, so I was pleased to find this.My plan was not to follow the routines exactly, but to study form (I am always up for a refresher!), to learn some new exercises, and to create my own routines (for example, some sort of Tabata sequence or intervals of kettlebell exercises followed by short cardio bursts with moves from Insanity or Focus T25 workouts). I have been adapting the suggested routines to get coverage of major muscle groups. I will admit that I know about half of the moves/variations from this book already, but the known moves provide a good starting point for branching out into some of those that are new for me (as an example, it had never occurred to me in the past to do a windmill with kettlebells in both hands).The author does suggest going shoeless and not using gloves, and I am kind of not down with that. My 25 pound kettlebell is tearing up my hands. I need to be training with a weight that heavy for swings, squats, etc., to see any benefit. I also have a problem with sweaty palms (from my cardio intervals). I don't like the feeling of chalk on my palms and I don't want to fling the kettlebell across the room. I also have weak ankles and bad plantar fasciitis so I do need standard athletic shoes with inserts (plus I need the support for all the jumping around I do between kettlebell exercises). Maybe this is not ideal, but I am still getting a good workout with shoes and gloves (the gloves have built-in wrist wraps, but I have super weak wrists).There is a suggested diet plan and I ignore it. I do appreciate that it includes vegetarian options since a lot of exercise books don't. But you are really not buying this book for the food plan.There is also advice about warming up and cooling down. My suggestion: learn what you need for your own body. I have found that as I get more fit, I need less of a warm up and less of a cool down (sometimes I just skip the cool down entirely). Right now I am usually doing some sort of cardio DVD (kickboxing or something) after working with my kettlebells. (I do kettlebells 3 times a week and Insanity 3 times a week and give myself one day to do some sort of cardio that is easier than either of those. I don't have kids and have 2 hours a day to work out, though...)Kettlebell sizes in this book are given in kg but I just pick something in the same general area but with a weight in pounds. I do appreciate that this book just takes it for granted that women are capable of doing all these exercises, and with heavy weights. (I guess I am classified as a beginner according to this book, I have two 15 pound bells, a 20 pound bell, and a 25 pound bell. This is a good set to get started with if you are already moderately fit. If that is a little intimidating, try two 10s, a 15, and a 20 to start with instead.) I also appreciate that this book dispenses with the nonsense that women will get bulky if they train with heavy weights. I am so tired of reading that in fitness books. (If you need cheaper kettlebells than recommended in this book, the GoFit vinyl coated ones are good, as are the plain metal Fitness Gear ones at that sporting goods store with a man's nickname for a name. I have a passable Reebok one, as well. One other thing about gloves is, if your kettlebell handle has a visible seam, you won't feel it while wearing gloves.)As with most exercise books, the photos are in black and white, not on glossy paper (I guess the craft books I've been reading lately have spoiled me). But they are clear enough and it is easy to see the form you are supposed to have. The text is helpful as well. I have the paper version of this book and for me, this is the only way to go. If you need to be reminded of a particular exercise, it is so much easier to mark pages with Post-It flags and quickly flip to them than to press a bunch of things on an e-reader screen. I prefer all my exercise books to be in paper, and specifically picked this one because it was not Kindle-only.You may want to start with DVDs to get a sense of pacing for the moves, some additional tips on form, etc. (I have some from Sarah Lurie and Lorna Kleidman, plus a series of Kettlebell Kickboxing DVDs with Dasha Libin.) But when you are ready to move beyond DVDs, this book is an excellent resource (and really not just for women).

Clear instructions, with pictures, are given for the exercises, warm ups and stretches for Kettlebells (KB). I love the structured workout Programs, but (as a newbie to KB) I would find it difficult to properly learn the exercises just from reading the book.There are 3 main sections:1 - Overview - History of KB, Benefits of KB, Before you begin and brief Nutrition2 - Program - How to Use the book, KB Programs - Levels 1, 2 and 3 (workout Programs for each level)3 - Exercises - with descriptions, details and picturesThis is a good book and the workout Programs are great to follow. However, for me, I do not learn as well reading a book as I am watching a dvd. If you are new to KBs, then I would highly recommend purchasing Lauren Brooks' dvds and follow her instructions on the dvds. You can then use the workout programs in this book after you properly learn the exercises.I purchased Lauren's dvds The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells Volume 1 and Volume 2 before I purchased this book. So, I learned KBs form watching Lauren's dvds and not from her book. The book is great for having the structured workout Programs after I learned the exercises, but I would find it difficult and time consuming to properly learn the exercises just from reading the book.This is still a good book to have for the workout programs.

I needed to start strength training, but didn’t want to risk hurting myself. This book was recommended by my twin, who has used it for years.When we hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon last summer, it was obvious she was in great shape. So I decided to try it for myself.Swinging around kettlebells is actually a lot if fun. The program is obviously very carefully designed, with intensity that varies from day to day. There are options for beginners, intermediate and advanced. There is a sprinkling of exercise that aren’t fun (push-ups and planks are an example), but you don’t do so many that you give up. The results are obvious after just 3 weeks.

I rarely have the time for book reviews but making an exception for this one since it's really challenging to select this type of book online, especially with so many options. Lauren's book is excellent - she lays out 15 workouts and includes plans for three months using those. The exercises are described well, with appropriate photos for each. I just got through month one and feel great. The workout plans seem fairly easy at first but really start building in intensity. In fact, I'm planning to repeat month 1 before I move on further. At some point I'll restart the cycle with a heavier weight. I will note that I've done a lot of various fitness work, from weight machines to Pilates, so I felt comfortable getting started with a book. If you're also looking for an intro in book format you really can't beat this one. It's only 150ish pages but contains everything you need and will keep you going for as long as you're interested. Warning though - kettlebell are addictive! Also a major plus that the workouts are short so it's very easy to fit into your day. One last thing - really appreciated a book focused on women's training.

Great book wish it had more exercises and was spiral bound

I like the book but I would of preferred coloured pictures. I would of liked small reference pictures next to the exercises in the outlined exercise programs. The nutrition section of the book seems unrealistic, the meal and snack suggestions are "upper scale" ingredients that not everyone can afford. There are some new kettlebell exercises (the waiter, race walk and hot potato) along with the commonly known ones, the same ones you find in most kettlebell books; the swings, the snatch, the presses, the windmills, the deadlifts, the cleans, etc. Good book to add to your exercise book library but not the one and only.

My wife said it was well written for the beginner and offers how to scale up the routine once you get comfortable with the pose.

I gave this 5 stars because I used the workout schedule in the book and noticed results within 2 weeks. I like how they describe moves in detail. Was delivered quickly! I would recommend this to anyone looking to get in shape.

Lauren rocks!!!!! Have all her DVDs, love them love the book!!!! She is a no nonsense expert who knows her KBs