Iron Core Kettlebell

I think in the time that some of the other reviews have been published, the DVDs have been correctly labeled. My set was fine.I'll echo the positive statements in the previous review and give a little comparison with the Lauren Brooks Kettlebell app workouts.Lauren Brooks Kettlebell App:I really enjoyed the LB app and the workouts are short, fast, and challenging. She also gives great instructions "keep the shoulders open" etc that have really helped my Kettlebell form. The workouts on the app are a much faster pace than the Iron Core workouts. This can be both positive if you are short on time, but a negative if you are prone to wanting to keep up with the instructor rather than do a little less but do it properly and with attention to form. Lauren Brooks frequently reminds the viewer that the pacing and number of reps are a suggestion not a rule and to do what you can. The app covers the basic two and one arm swings, suitcase dead lifts, cleans, waiter walks, and some bodyweight only exercises like push ups and plank. Very nice workouts, with a great emphasis on swing variations.Iron CoreI really appreciated the pacing of the Iron Core DVDs. It was a little slower, the rep range a little shorter and the variety and challenge level of the exercises was excellent. It was less swing intense than the LB app in my opinion (at least the circuits on DVD 2). There are great instructions presented before each exercise. One of the things that will impress you is how strong Sarah Laurie looks- not just slim, but STRONG. As a person focused on fitness, I'm not motivated by wanting to look painfully thin and Sara is a great body-type role model for women that want to actually put on a little lean mass or look more defined. I would caution anybody exercising at home, that these exercises are definitely not just for novices. I've been working with Kettlebells regularly for a few months now (great noticeable results!) and a few presented I wouldn't necessarily feel comfortable doing with my Kettlebell as a clumsy beginner.I used a medicine ball for the deck squats and the Turkish get up to avoid a broken face since I am klutzy. I also practiced each movement with no weight to try to "feel" the movement without worrying about resistance. I highly recommend this kind of dry run practice for new athletic activities. It's also a nice dynamic stretch before the actual movement is performed. You can also do the movements with a light dumbbell.I'm very glad I purchased this, and it is a steal to get 4 excellent DVDS for less than 10.00. I like the very basic, class style presentation (no glam club music and it doesn't look like a Lulumon advertisement).This is a DVD that can also grow with you from beginner to intermediate and beyond.A note on form for home exercisers:If you feel anything in your lower back, you are doing it wrong. Please don't ignore any signs that your form is incorrect. Get a mirror and check your form. I was surprised to see how I was rounding my back early in my training even though it felt like I was doing things right. Stop if you feel fatigue since that eats away at your form. The Sara Laurie DVD and LB App has rests between sets. Take them. The fresher you come back to a circuit set, the better your form will be. If you can, take a kettlebell class with a certified instructor. I plan to take a few this winter to further refine my technique and form check.

Brand new to kettlebells, I purchased this DVD set along with the book "Enter the Kettlebell!" by Pavel. I found the book to be extremely helpful to have the photographs reference details of moves like snatches and swings, to ensure correct form. This dvd set appeals to me because of the basic, no-nonsense instruction. I didn't want all the hype and loud music that tends to go along with some of the other more commercialized trainers out there, because I felt kettlebells to be a little more serious and even dangerous if not done properly. Other reviews complain about it being boring, but I appreciated the no-frills approach that is demonstrated here. The instruction is very clear and precise, and the instructor's form is accurate. Most all of the basic kettlebell moves are demonstrated and utilized throughout the 4 dvd's - this is another plus for me. I did not want to be stuck doing a bunch of aerobic exercises modified to be done holding a kettlebell - I wanted to learn the genuine Russian kettlebell techniques, and I believe this DVD set hits the mark in that regard. And for the price, you can't beat this 4 dvd set!Overall, I cannot say enough about the kettlebell, and I wish I had discovered it sooner. It is as simple as it gets, fits almost anywhere, is basically unbreakable and everything considered a plain iron kettlebell is not too expensive compared to fancy gym machines and memberships. Don't waste your time with the rubber coated or adjustable bells...these simply cost more and do not offer anything different from a normal bell. You want to develop a good strong grip, so skip the coated handles and let your body adapt to the weights the way it's supposed to.My background - I am a 30 year old female, and consider myself intermediately fit. I do a combination of running, interval training and weights and have done so for a few years. I had been specifically doing Les Mills Pump for about a year prior to kettlebells, so felt I was in pretty good shape strength wise. I started off using an 18lb bell. After doing the Iron Core workouts for about a month, my strength increased quite a bit, and soon the 18lb bell was too light for just about every move. I now use a 35 pound bell for swings and deadlifts, and a 26 pound bell for cleans, presses and snatches. I keep my 18lb bell for snatches and presses when I am fatigued. Overall I have made more gains in strength over the last couple months using kettlebells 2-4 times a week than I did with any other weight training method over any amount of time. I most likely will continue to keep Les Mills Pump in my rotation because I enjoy the barbell work, however I believe kettlebells will be my staple tool from now on.I highly encourage folks to purchase a set of at least 2 kettlebells of a different weight. Pick one that you feel moderately comfortable lifing, and then pick the next size up. I firmly believe practicing with a heavier weight for at least some of your sets/reps will be most beneficial. Specifically with swings, if you do not go with heavy enough of a weight you will not gain the cardiovascular benefits which come with using a heavy bell. Remember, kettlebells are designed to be used with your entire body, so once you've learned to make your muscles work together as they were meant to, you'll be surprised with the strength gains you will make!

Nice