Kettlebell swing - the most important movement 'not' in your fitness kit?

The kettlebell swing and its derivatives (high pull from hang, snatch etc) is a movement which quite frankly, totally revolutionized the way I train and subsequently how I look and feel as an individual.  The first time I witnessed a kettlebell swing being performed on Youtube University (very poorly performed, as I was to discover later) I instinctively knew that this old school, hard core fitness tool was for me. A true lightbulb moment.

Now, fast approaching 44 years old, I am more or less the same weight as I was at age 19-23 years, when I was representing GB as a light middleweight muay thai boxer.  The difference now is (over 20 years later) I am leaner, stronger, better conditioned and less prone to injury than all those years ago.  This is a cast iron fact (pun intended). The kettlebell has been a focal point of my lifestyle since January 2009 ("your other children" as my wife terms them) and they are so much more obedient than the flesh and blood variety!

Every year, at least once, I journey north to Edinburgh to bolster my education (and those I subsequently coach) by investing my time and money under the tutelage of world renowned strength coaches like Steve Cotter (IKFF) and Mike Mahler (Aggressive Strength).  To improve at any endeavour you must spend time with those further up the ladder than you.  It is all too easy to rest on your laurels and get all nostalgic about what you have achieved rather than what you intend to achieve.  Take a look at the following bullet points and ask yourself which of these you would not benefit from by adding this essential exercise to your fitness regimewww.facebook.com/retrofit.tameside:

• weight loss/body fat reduction
• increased metabolic rate (ie heightened calorie expenditure during training and away from training)
• gains in lean muscle tissue
• improved aerobic/anaerobic cardio function without comprimising joint health
• teaching your body to function as a whole fluid unit, not a collection of disjointed, misfiring parts.
• improved lower back stabilization while reducing/eliminating aches and pains.