Got tough training questions? We've got an answer for everything

Men's Fitness, Nov, 2005

Q: What are the benefits of using kettlebells, versus dumbbells?

A: Better grip strength, for one. "Kettlebells have thicker handles," says Mike Mahler, a strength coach and certified kettlebell instructor in Los Angeles. "So everything you do exercises your grip in addition to the muscles you're targeting." The weight is also off-center in a kettlebell forcing your body to work extra hard to keep balanced when you swing one. "This works numerous stabilizer muscles that are not typically activated when using dumbbells," he adds, and that improves flexibility and stability in the shoulders. However, because few gyms have kettlebells, dumbbells can be a suitable substitution if you want a sample of what kettlebell training is like. Mahler recommends using dumbbells to do standard kettlebelt exercises such as swings, snatches, and side presses.

Q: Sometimes I feel ready to go on to my next set before my rest period is over. Should I?

A: No, unless your gym's wall clock is slow. Assuming you're following a well-designed program (e.g., one from this magazine), the specific rest periods are there for good reason--obey them. Cutting your rest between sets may speed up your workouts, but it shortchanges your muscles, says Cameron McGarr, C.S.C.S., a strength coach in Santa Clarita, Calif. "Your strongest muscle fibers need full rest periods to recover, and lifting again before they're ready won't let them activate optimally," which means you'll get lesser results, whether you're training for size or fat loss. "If your sets are so easy that you truly feel you've fully recovered before your rest period is up, you're not using enough weight," says McGarr. "So lift heavier."