As runners, we spend most of our spare time running, so fitting in strength training, yoga, and general recovery can be a challenge. In an effort to make strength training more convenient, I decided to get a kettlebell. Little did I know I was purchasing my own piece of history!

Did you know that iron kettlebells were first introduced in the 1700s? Initially, the kettlebell was used to weigh crops, but eventually turned into a prop used by strongmen to demonstrate their extraordinary strength. Since then, the kettlebell has established itself as one of the foundational pieces of equipment in gyms across the world. From strength, balance, flexibility and endurance, the kettlebell is one of my favourite pieces of training equipment.

As I was learning about my new piece of equipment, I came across a 2013 study by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse that showed that two one-hour kettlebell workouts a week lead to notable strength gains, an increase in aerobic capacity, improved dynamic balance and a dramatic increase in core strength. What runner doesn’t want more of that stuff? Read more >>