When you first start out using Kettlebells, there are a few things you need to know, and keep in mind to help make your workouts safer, and more enjoyable. First, you will get calluses on your hands from Swinging, and Pressing, and Everythinging, a Kettlebell. Calluses are fine, but you need to take care of them each day so they don’t get out of hand. Your hands are an important part of your Kettlebell routine.

When your calluses get to be detectable by touch, or someone says your hands are rough to hold, or your calluses start to catch on your clothes, you need to start working on controlling them. Calluses that continue to get bigger leave you open to skin tearing and infection. You need to shave down your calluses, or rough them away with a file or a pumice stone. Chalk is necessary. Gym chalk your hands as you workout with your bells. Yes, the chalk will get everywhere, especially if you are working out at home, but that’s okay. Think of those chalk particles as proof of life! You can buy chalk online at good prices. Chalk is worth the small investment to help big in saving your hands.

You also might want to look for some Athletic Tape. I have two spots on my thumbs that are calluses, but they are still a bit tender after I roughed them down, and a little bit of tape every now and then prevents the thumb calluses from worsening into cracking. These calluses on my thumbs are from doing Halos and Goblet Squats with forward bell levers.

As well, find a good hand lotion. There are several brands that will not only soothe your sore hands, but also toughen them up — in a good and healthy way.

You also need to know your heart rate as you are working your bells. I find the strap-like monitors are quicker to report changes in your heart rate in real time than those you wear on your wrist like a watch. You will also want to invest in some kind of smartphone App to record your heart rate and workouts. There are several excellent choices available in the marketplace.

Working with Kettlebells can be hard on your forearms. Learning the Snatch can be a painful experience as the bell knocks against your skin — and it will, that’s just part of the learning process. Turkish Get Ups are also an excellent balancing and strength move you will want to practice and, again, the new weight against your forearms as you move will be both surprising and painful as you begin. Protecting your arms with a guard, or a cloth barrier, will help set up your expectations until your skin toughens up, and you become more skilled.

As you begin working out with Kettlebells, you may have some elbow pain. Pain outside your elbow is called “Tennis Elbow” and pain on your inner elbow is called “Golfer’s Elbow.” I’ve seen both elbow pains in those who use Kettlebells, and I experienced a bit of Golfer’s Elbow until I learned some special stretching techniques to get rid of the pain. I was able to counteract the pain with movement bands. Within two days of using the stretching methods, and the bands, I was miraculously pain free in my elbow. Sometimes, things just work! Now I proactively stretch and strengthen to avoid future elbow pain.

Beware of Witches! They are everywhere in the Kettlebell world and they are both male and female. They will trick you with promises. They will mislead you with magical spells that they claim only they can provide to heal you and to make you better. There is no quick fix to getting strong with bells. There are no shortcuts. Do not believe those who try to sell you on their mysticism — for a price. You will only end up poorer and richly disappointed.