Been recommended them by a guy at my gym, just wondering wether it's a good idea or not? 
They are great...watch ur back dude.
I suffer with back ache anyway, is it worth it?
Get some instruction in proper technique. They are great for combat sports!
naylor152 - I suffer with back ache anyway, is it worth it?
IMO the best thing for that is to strengthen the back. I unfortunatly messed mine up doing kbs. I got tired and my technique went to hell.
KBs are awesome, but can be extremely dangerous if not given the care and respect they deserve.
JJ1337 - Extremely dangerous? A bit of an exaggeration don't you think? <img src="/images/phone/droid.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
Not really. I yield to your assessment.
Just make sure you have proper form and keep it very strict each repetition. Once your form goes out this is when injuries happen.
I would argue that kettlebells with proper form are no less dangerous than barbell or dumbbell lifts with good form.
Don't do more than you can handle, increase the resistance intelligently, and keep solid technique.
You will make progress
a few of my training partners and I chipped in and bought a set to keep at the club
at open mat times we do a few key exercises and work on core strength and total body movements (instead of sitting on the mat and talking about the UFC before rolling)
we have all noticed great increases in functional strength
one guy, a police officer had one of his fellow officers ask him if he would be willing to write down what he had been doing as the training partner was looking in his best ever shape after 2 months of the kbells
The thing with all these "X for jiu-jitsu" threads is that almost anything can be good or bad for jiu-jitsu, depending on your combination of resources, physical attributes, technical skills, and goals.
Can kettlebells be a good adjunct to BJJ training? Yes. Generally, assess the weakest "links in your chain" so to speak, and address those first. For one it might be strength, another endurance, a third needs better mobility or flexibility.
For most people, with limited resources of time and recuperation, the best place to look is the mat: are spending time drilling techniques and rolling? Swimming, lifting, yoga, kettlebells, knitting, etc. should only be introduced when clear problems emerge.
IMHO
As far as danger goes, would I be able to pick some up at the gym and follow the technique guidelines on the wall and be fine? You guys are making me feel like I need an instructor there to make sure I don't throw out my back
There are a lot of 'is this good for jiu jitsu' questions lately. I'll give my opinion as a know-nothing blue belt. Take it with a grain or two of salt. When I roll with people who aren't as good as me, my strength and cardio are awesome. When I roll with people who are better than me, my strength and cardio suck. My conclusion, to get better at jiu jitsu, I should get better at jiu jitsu.
Here is a short article at my site by an RKC I trust on the use of KB for BJJ/MMA.
Just the Swing(s), done correctly, can be an all around workout with SPECIFIC application to Jiu Jitsu:
http://www.wncbjj.com/articles/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=2
tarado4 - a few of my training partners and I chipped in and bought a set to keep at the club
at open mat times we do a few key exercises and work on core strength and total body movements (instead of sitting on the mat and talking about the UFC before rolling)
we have all noticed great increases in functional strength
one guy, a police officer had one of his fellow officers ask him if he would be willing to write down what he had been doing as the training partner was looking in his best ever shape after 2 months of the kbells
Would you be able to post that workout?
I have been using kettlebells for years. Training with them improved my lower back strength. Get one of Pavel's books or DVD on how to train and not hurt your back. They are great for functional strength, grip strength and cardio. There is plenty of information on how to train.
If you have lower back problems, it might be because your back and hip muscles are not "balanced" and you are "tighter" on one side. Do some research on this issue because it will save you a lifetime of pain and discomfort.
Get a Steve Maxwell DVD.
End thread.
meatrokket -tarado4 -Would you be able to post that workout?
we have all noticed great increases in functional strength
one guy, a police officer had one of his fellow officers ask him if he would be willing to write down what he had been doing as the training partner was looking in his best ever shape after 2 months of the kbells
the workout is pretty basic stuff
* I would recommend Mike Mahler's Aggressive Strength as a resource
- around the world's and halos to warm up with small kb
- 2 sets KB swings - up to 20 reps
- alternate turkish get ups one session and burpee/ high pulls(we call them gladiators)the next - no need to do more than 10 reps
- some type of overhead press - alternate kb presses or 1 arm kb clean and press
- some form of lunge that works the legs one at a time
- some type of kb row - bent over 1 arm
that's it
KB's are great for developing functional strength. Like others have said, your technique must be top notch otherwise you'll get seriously hurt.
I was on my last rep of Turkish get up, my arm got tired and I just dropped it. My shoulder got fucked up bad.
Thanks tarado
Learn from someone with an RKC or AKC cerification. DO NOT FOLLOW JILLIAN MICHAELS or most cross fitters who use KBs, most of the time their technique is horrible.