Kettlebells and yoga — they sound like opposite disciplines, but when you put them together you get a match like peanut butter and jelly.

Did you know that adding kettlebells to your yoga routine — or adding a yoga practice to your kettlebell training — can boost the health benefits of both disciplines?

It’s true!

What do yoga and kettlebell training have in common?

Both yoga and kettlebell training improve:

• Muscle strength

• Body tone

• Athletic performance

• Overall fitness

• Mental health

• Confidence

While yoga’s focus leans toward stretching, flexibility, and complex poses, kettlebell routines tend to boost strength training, muscle growth, and endurance. However, both yoga and kettlebell training rely on one simple thing: breath control.

In yoga, most pose series (called “asanas”) use the breath to set the pace of the practice. Yoga practitioners might breathe in as they transition to one pose, then breathe out to sink further into the stretch.

On the other side of the gym, kettlebell training relies on quick, controlled bursts of breathing that coincide with quick, controlled bursts of action. Think things like the kettlebell swing, pull, squat, or snatch.

If you practice one sport already, you might be more comfortable with the other than you realize!

How does kettlebell training improve my yoga practice?

Yoga tends to focus on flexibility and range of motion, although anyone who’s survived a hot yoga power class knows muscle strength and endurance aren’t far behind! Adding in kettlebell training allows for a different style of strength conditioning, targeting different muscle groups with a narrower focus.

Common kettlebell exercises you might be using every day — like the Turkish get-up, kettlebell snatch, or the all-time-favorite kettlebell swing — can boost the muscles you use to tackle the most challenging poses in your yoga practice.

How can yoga boost my kettlebell training results?

Meanwhile, yoga adds a layer of flexibility and focus to kettlebell training. Some of yoga’s many benefits include improved joint function and overall mobility, including your range of motion. Think about it: If you could swing your kettlebell a little further, or sink a little deeper into that squat, what would that do for your goals?

In addition, the mental aspects of yoga — relaxation, centering, and meditation — can add mindfulness into your kettlebell routine. Awareness of your own body can help you work through your kettlebell exercises in safer and more effective ways than ever before. Staying in touch with your center can also give you a heads up when you need a break, making it less likely to pull something or push too far during your workout.

How do I get started on yoga and kettlebell training?

The best way to start a new exercise practice that combines the best of yoga and kettlebell training is to get in touch with one of F3’s expert personal trainers!

Here at F3, we design every personal training program from scratch. Your routine is specific to YOU: your goals, your schedule, your experience level, and your budget. We’re here to help you reach your goals, not somebody else’s!

To get started, send us an email at sarah@f3wellnessconnections.com or learn more about our personal training programs here.