Welcome To The Official UK Kettle bell Association

'Promoting the use of kettle bells throughout the UK...'

UKKA Kettlebell Competition 2007.

UKKA Level 1 Instructors Course

The Kettle Bell Bible

KETTLE BELLS IN OUR SCHOOLS

UKKA INSTRUCTORS

For the Girls

NUTRITION

TRAINING

ARTICLES

KETTLEBELL COMPETITION 2005

Competition Results

Picture Gallery

 

Introduction

Weights with handles like Kettle bells were used over 2000 years ago by athletes in Greece, as shown on old drinking vessels.

Kettle bells, one of the oldest types of weightlifting equipment, are currently enjoying a revival of interest.

Kettle bells: Before gas rings and electricity, water was heated in a big cast iron kettles. When full of water larger ones were quite heavy and a matched pair provided a good workout. Nobody cared about a splash or two of water being spilled; very few houses had floor covering in those days. Old or leaking kettles could be filled with sand, earth or lead shot to make them quite challenging and the tradition of Kettle bell competitions has been to score by repetitions as opposed to maximum weight.

Of course the spouts of Kettle bells got in the way but early Kettle bells for training still had flat basis. Globe weights were developed to remove edges from bells used as weights and it was seen that spherical kettle weights would be much more user friendly than training with kettles. The term Kettle bells developed along with dumbbells and barbells.

A big advantage of Kettle bells over ring weights is the larger, thicker handle of the former. This allows some variation of hand placing and makes "juggling" with the weight much easier.

Quote taken from the book All About Kettle bells written by David Webster OBE

___________________________________________

 

The UKKA began operating in April 2003.