Shedding The Pounds Using Kettlebells

One of the toughest parts about making a resolution to get in shape is finding the time to do it, but just 20 minutes a day, three or four days a week, could be the answer.

Ryan Shanahan, who teaches a program using kettlebells, visited The Early Show to share some of the history of the unique weights and explained how to use them.

"You can best describe a kettlebell as a cannon ball with a suitcase handle attached. It's unique and versatile," he told The Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez.

It turns out the kettlebell is not a new invention. "Variations of the kettlebell has been used since ancient Greece. Vikings used them; the gladiators used them. Russia, when they were dominating the Olympics, they were using kettlebells. When the Cold War ended they shared the information with the U.S.," Shanahan explained.

He said the NAVY Seals, Lance Armstrong, Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Aniston have also used kettlebells to get fit.

To see some sample exercise routines using kettlebells, click the play button below:

Click here to learn more about kettlebells, Ryan Shanahan, and his company KettleWorxs.