Kettlebells

There are lots of fitness fads that come and go. But Wiserhealth has joined the Russian kettlebell bandwagon. This device looks like a cannonball with a handle and allows you to exercise in a flowing pattern that is centered around the hips and leg muscles, i.e. the real core.

The basic movement is the swing. Grab the kettlebell by its handle with both hands and let it hang between your legs. Take a semi-squat stance and thrust your hips forward to raise the kettlebell up to eye level. Don't use you arms to lift, let them hang loose. Let the kettlebell fall back down between your legs like you're hiking a football to the quarterback. Raise it again, using your hips.

Try this basic movement for five to 12 minutes to get a vigorous full-body workout that also blasts your lungs and heart. An average man can start with a 35-lb. kettlebell, a woman can start with the 16-24 lbs.