Cool! I have not tried these. Thanks.

You have to be super careful using these and you need to know how to actively engage your core to support your back and to activate the small muscles between your shoulder blades to support the shoulders. Swinging them (actually you don't swing them, using your butt muscles and your hamstrings is what should move them) improperly will cause shoulder injuries and issues at the small of your back.

I'm pleased for your success Lucille.

I've not tried them, but they look like one could hurt oneself with them. Especially if you swing and get momentum going rather than lifting with control. I think there are other ways to use one's own body weight and regular handheld weights to get the strength training in that are safer for me than those. I've been very successful with the high reps in barre class.

I'd be concerned with the hinge lift which puts a lot more strain on the low back than a squat lift. I also don't like how deep she goes on the squats as having your knees come forward of your toes can over stress the knee joint.

I like my free weights.

I agree that one can get hurt swinging one.

I’ve used them for quite a while and like them for several exercises. You actually can do some ’swinging’ while doing a squat, but you should control the momentum and it is more of a slight swing down and back up to shoulder level.

I like the fact it is easier to keep the weight balanced down, taking weight off the wrist, when you are using it in one hand

She is doing some heavy dead lift work with a heavy bell Not something anyone should do without proper training and form or you can risk injury. Dead lifts are entirely different from squats and i wouldn't attemot without a trainer unless you have done them before

One of the differences I noticed is that she seems to really grip the weights. In barre, we are often told to ease up on the weights when we can as the idea isn't to work our hands, wrists and fingers so much.

I very much appreciate the cautions, and plan to work safely with my kettlebells.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/should-you-try-kettlebells-2019021916025

She (briefly) mentioned some very good advice - practice correct posture of these moves before starting to use the weights (and I don't agree with her suggested "beginner" weights - too heavy! perhaps she is thinking of people who already do some free weight work and want to step it up?) For example, as Annie said, a deep squat should not have the knees forward of the toes - the focus is on pushing one's rear end back as if aiming for a low chair Stomach always held in.

Done correctly, with correct weight for ability, and with good posture and form, one's back would not be at risk. One's attention always has to be on using the legs and buttocks to drive the moves, not the back. It is a habit that has to be developed with practice, I think.

and I don't agree with her suggested "beginner" weights - too heavy!

She suggests 18 lbs for a beginning woman's weight, what are you suggesting? My smallest kettlebell is 15 lbs and I am able to work with it, it does not seem excessive, but what do you think?

It would depend on the exercise that you're doing. Anything where you are swinging the weight 15lb would be the largest to start. And that's only if if correct positioning and strength can be held during the swing. You didn't mention doing any swinging so if you aren't doing that yet I would start with just 3 reps, reset everything and then do another 3.

The private gym that I go to had kettle bells and I've had some experience with them but they wound up getting rid of them because of injuries and most just didn't like them. But like anything, if they work for you, and you enjoy them, then whynot?

@lucillle...Your inspiring me! I have a whole weight room I haven't used in ....lets just say awhile. ☺ I also want to try DH's new bicycle rollers.....hope I don't crash. ha ha I don't need any new bruises. ya know...

For diabetes, one of the best things you can do is go for at least a 10 min walk after each meal.