As a mom, there is only so much time in the day to fit in everything that needs to be done. We all know exercise is important, but unfortunately it has to work within the time constraints of non-negotiables like the kids getting to and from school and sports and other activities, getting yourself to work and back, and generally just making sure everyone in the house has everything they need to function at any given time, which is a full-time job.

That’s a lot to put down on a page, and that’s before even thinking about how to fit in time for personal exercise.

SO. How do we make it happen?

Intentionally and creatively. Most moms will probably find that their workout journey evolves as their motherhood journey does. As your newborn becomes more mobile and independent, you have to change things up. Going for long walks or runs with them in a stroller might not work anymore, and hopping on the stationary bike or treadmill during nap time only works as long as your kids are still taking naps.

While variety isn’t bad, it’s nice to have a reliable go-to that works in a time crunch and at basically any stage of your kids’ development. Kettle bell workouts are one solution, and they are one of the easiest, least time-consuming ways to work up a sweat without altering your whole day to make it happen. Here are 5 of my favorite reasons for choosing and recommending kettle bells:

1. They target your entire body with just one tool.

Most people would agree that moms usually need to simplify their life, not complicate it further with another list of to-dos’ in order to get in shape. Often, one of the biggest hurdles to starting and maintaining a workout routine is not knowing where to start or having too many ideas and combinations of fitness strategies all compiled into a load of overwhelming lack of direction, which leads to inactivity. Not knowing what to do makes it easy to do nothing, and it doesn’t need to be that confusing. The beauty of the kettle bell is that you can use it to target specific areas or the entire body, and workouts using kettle bells are easy to find on DVD, Pinterest, and a variety of other sources. Take your pick, and only one tool is required to get started.

2. No gym required.

Building upon the first reason is this equally convincing quality which points out the natural match kettle bells make with moms- there’s no gym required to use them! It’s not that moms are lazy and can’t get out of the house- they do, all the time. They get the kids to school on time, get themselves to work on time, pick the kids up, take them to soccer and gymnastics, get back home in time to try to scrounge up an acceptable form of dinner at a reasonable hour and then start the series of events making up the bedtime routine… and this is just one possible scenario. So it’s not that mothers need a form of exercise that they can do in their sweats because they couldn’t be bothered to get dressed and go out, it’s because they are ALREADY insanely busy running around, and it makes life just a tad bit easier to know that prioritizing their fitness doesn’t involve the expense of a gym membership or hiring a time management expert to decode the puzzle of how to fit the event that going to the gym is into their schedule.

 

Kettle bells are a super easy, one-time investment. They cost around $20 or less on average and you only need one, unless you find that the weight just isn’t challenging you anymore, which is a great problem to have and a worthy reason to invest in yourself more. Not only is the all-in-one approach to kettle bells more than ideal for a busy mom, it is also WAY more doable to fit in a quick sweat in your own home at whatever point of the day it’s easiest to do so, and also grab the needed shower afterwards.

3. High impact in little time.

Another of the equally great features of kettle bell workouts is that you can accomplish a lot in a short time, which is key for most moms. A kettle bell routine can work up a sweat and leave you feeling challenged and stronger in just 10–15 minutes. In fact, limiting the time spent working out in this way is better for recovering and being able to keep up consistency, rather than being too sore and stiff to move the next two days. For moms with limited time but serious goals, kettle bells can bring results fast.

4. You can include your kids!

Kettle bells come in varying weights and textures, which means that light-weight, softer made kettle bells are available, providing a way to involve your kids with your workout. Some kids are watchers, some are doers, but having the option to make exercise a fun way for them to feel included and part of something grown-up can make it an easier event to add to your routine. Take it up another notch, even, and have your kids act as your cheerleaders or personal action-shot photographers! This can also make it more fun for you to get motivated and track your progress, while seeing your efforts through their eyes. Your kids already think you’re the coolest, so you can set a healthy example without fear of judgment.

5. They emphasize strength, not weight loss.

Working out with kettle bells can definitely promote weight loss, as does any exercise that burns enough calories, but one of the more appealing aspects to these workouts is that you feel stronger each time you finish one. The goal is not necessarily to lose weight, but to become more powerful in your own body. Over time you find yourself gaining more coordination and stamina and not feeling so strained. The ability to target specific parts of the body is a plus that comes with this type of training as well. It gives you the element of control over your progress, even if you always stick to following DVD instructions!

If any of these top reasons have resonated with you, here are your next steps:

First, decide your best time of day.

This will probably be a determined based on when you can most easily fit in a new activity or when you have the most energy. For example, I know that I’m a morning person, but the reality is that I know it’s not practical to fit my workout in early in the morning before work. I would feel great afterwards, but I would be adding more stress to my morning. Because of this, I prefer working out in the evening after work, which allows me to take my time and not feel rushed to shower and dry my hair in a hurry to get out the door.

Second, find a free source for kettle bell workouts such as Pinterest, or go online and order a kettle bell DVD or set of DVD’s.

I have done both, and both have their perks. Finding exercises on Pinterest gives you the ability to customize your workout and try new combinations of exercises, while putting in a DVD makes it easier to just get started and get it done, and you are more guaranteed to feel the results. Creating your own routine can sometimes slow your pace which can take away from the results you might see from pushing yourself to follow the speed of the DVD.

My favorite kettle bell workout is KettleWorx, which comes in a set of 6, targeting different body parts. I can honestly say I have used this one set for YEARS and have never felt like I would need any other workout videos. The instructor is motivating in a non-annoying way, and it only takes 15 minutes to finish a workout. I love that you don’t need to carve out a huge chunk of time to feel the burn, and I’m sure this is a big factor for most moms. If you don’t want to waste time messing around with researching different videos or searching on Pinterest to create your own, here is a link to the set I recommend:

If you’re looking for guidance choosing a kettle bell as well, or simply want to knock out both parts of your workout gameplan at once, here is the one I recommend based on my experience and it’s top ranking status online.

The link below takes you to a contoured kettle bell, which comes in various weights. I’d recommend starting with the 10 pound bell which is yellow. The design is super smart due to the flatter edges, which make certain exercises easier, as demonstrated in one of the images in the Amazon link. BONUS, this kettle bell also comes with a complimentary training DVD by GoFit.

At the time of this post, this kettle bell was listed the “Best of the Best” on Amazon by BestReviews, an Amazon verified expert. I can see why, because I have the traditional round kettle bell, and there are definitely some exercises that require the bell to lay against your wrist and arm area, and this is tricky when dealing with a rounded surface.

Lastly, download my “How to Work Out Like a Mother” printable for creating a realistic plan.

I hope you’ve found one or more of these tips to be helpful. Leave your comments below about what has worked or not worked for you in your workout experiences as a mom!

~Dani