All about the tool?

I saw this kettlebell in Men's Journal. I had to laugh. Everyone is trying to milk the Kettlebell Invasion. It is a contoured kettlebell so you won’t hurt your arm. If your technique is good you won’t hurt your arm either.

But then I thought about tools. The kettlebell is just a tool. The barbell is another tool. There's lots of debate about which tool is best. In my mind it's all about personal preference. Kettlebells aren’t the end all, but they can do things barbells and dumbbells don’t do as well. Maybe a better way to put it is horses for courses. I had a specific reason for choosing kettlebells for my primary tool, but I don’t intend to limit myself to 106 lbs.

I remember when my future ex-wife and I were dating. She bought a Suaro dresser. Lots of parts. She wanted me to put it together. OK, I was trying to be a good guy. I asked her if she had a screwdriver and she said that she did. Then she brought out the green handle which housed different bits. It was a piece of shit and it turned a nice evening into a long ordeal. But that tool was fine for her.

I can remember when I got my first weight set. It was from Sears and it had a cheap hollow bar and plastic covered cement plates - 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 pounders. It was red, white, and blue. I think my dad bought it in 1975. There is no way I would lift with that set now. But it was my first set and it got the job done. Not the job of making me strong, the job of introducing me to lifting.

Now in addition to my kettlebells I have several 'iron pills' and bars. They are not Elko's they’re from Sears, Walmart, and Sports Authority. Far from the top of the line, but they are getting the job done for what I need.

Who knows maybe a contoured kettlebell that some soccer mom buys will set some kid on the right path. Maybe they would be the right tool for the right person in the right time and place.

It’s not for me to judge.

Then again...