Don’t be fooled by the kettlebell. The compact, cast-iron weight may look like something only sideshow strongmen can lift, but it’s a come-one, come-all tool that offers every benefit of traditional strength training — and then some. Used by the Russian army for conditioning, the kettlebell — which looks like a cannonball with a suitcase handle — can prepare you for daily challenges in ways that standard weight lifting can’t.
If you’re new to weight training, start with an 8- or 10-pound kettlebell; go for 15 if you strength train regularly. Do 2 circuits of the following routine — developed by Cindy Lai, a personal trainer who leads boot camps in New York City — resting 30 to 60 seconds between each exercise, 2 to 3 times a week. The payoff? A stronger core, more lean muscle, better posture, improved balance, and the strength you need to fight fatigue and stay energized all day.
