Kettlebell Plyometrics

Are Kettlebell's Plyometrics?

From the book "Explosive Lifting For Sports" I will refer to the statement on what makes an exercise Plyometric.

"For an activity to be plyometric, it must include what is known as the stretch shortening cycle (SSC). This refers to loading a muscle eccentrically (the muscle lengthens against tension), followed rapidly by a concentric muscle action (the muscle shortens against resistance). The initial rapid eccentric motion allows subsequent concentric actions to exceed that which it could produce alone."

The book goes on with a couple examples:
The stride during sprinting is an example of a plyometric as well as the counter movement before the vertical jump.

How can KB's be a plyometric?

Well according to definition above KB's swings are definitely a plyometric exercise.

The downward movement of the Swing provides are very great eccentric load and stretch on the glutes and hamstrings, which is quickly followed by a concentric load on the hips and hamstrings.

So the KB swing by definition would be a plyometric exercise. This is just another example of the superior exercise benefits of Kettlebells, because a athlete can work Power and Strength simultaneously with KB's but more importantly so can the average Joe or Jane, because as we age we actually loose power more than strength. i.e older people have the strength to walk upstairs but not the power output to run upstairs.

Get off the machines and the seated leg press and POWER UP your workouts with Kettlebells!