Kettlebells & Uptown Movement
Uptown Movement and kettlebells go together like love and marriage—or a horse and carriage… though honestly, both are probably better when you don’t cling too tightly.
They’ve been with us since the beginning, but they’re just a tool. Not the whole picture.
So let’s break down what makes them great—and how we actually use them at the gym.
Convenience
Back in the early days of Uptown, I was dragging 400lbs of kettlebells through Inwood Hill Park at 4am. Not exactly convenient. But they were the best option we had—and honestly, still one of the best around.
They don’t take up much space, they’re tough, and you can do a lot with just a couple of bells. Two or three and you’ve basically got a full gym in your living room.
Versatility
The shape of the kettlebell makes it super adaptable. You’ve got your classic strength stuff—squats, presses, carries—but also your fast, explosive stuff like swings and cleans.
The first type is about controlling the bell. The second is about letting the bell move and learning how to move with it.
Both are valuable. Both are fun. Both take practice.
Coordination
Because of how the bell moves, you end up working through more planes of motion—not just straight up and down. That means more dynamic, real-world movement.
It builds coordination and awareness. You can’t zone out when you train with kettlebells. They demand attention, creating mindful movers…our ultimate goal.
Conditioning
Once you’ve got the skill down, kettlebell ballistics are brilliant for conditioning.
You can move fast and hard without smashing your joints the way sprinting or jumping sometimes does. For people rebuilding power or just trying to train with intensity but a bit less wear and tear—this stuff is gold.
Efficiency
If you wanted to stay mobile, strong, and powerful—and only had 20 minutes, 4 or 5 days a week—you could honestly get by with just two movements:
The Turkish Get-Up: Strength + mobility through real ranges
The Kettlebell Swing: Power, coordination, strength endurance... it does a lot
Would you be the strongest person on earth? Nope. But you’d probably end up stronger and more capable than 80% of people your age.
The Learning Curve Is the Point
Yes, there’s a learning curve. But that’s kind of the whole point.
We don’t do fluff. We don’t do gimmicks. We really believe in teaching movements that works—and that takes a bit of time to learn. There’s a buy in.
But once you get it, you’ve got a skill for life. And that’s a different kind of confidence. You don’t just move —you understand how to move.
So Are We a Kettlebell Gym?
Not really. We’re not tied to any one tool.
We use whatever helps the person in front of us move better, feel stronger, and build trust in their body.
For some, that might be bodyweight. Others maybe a barbell. And when For starting out—it’s the kettlebell. That’s why most of our Foundations program is built around learning the swing and the get-up. It can be a slow start sometimes frustrating but it teaches so many concepts and tricks within a small time that it lays a life foundation!