I train with kettlebells both for fitness and for competition. I would also recommend an 8kg (about 18 lb) bell for starting out, it will help you master the movements initially. Once you feel confident with the techniques using the 8kg bell, you'll be less susceptible to injury when you move up in weight. I prefer the competition-style kettlebells, as they are all the same size, even at different weights.

And contrary to many grandmas' opinions, most elite kettlebell lifters are much more sinewy and lean than people who lift other types of weights! The movements are very cardio-involved, dynamic and ballistic.

Along with the other links provided above, look here for a good set of videos to help with technique, and just general Kettlebell Sport info: http://www.ickbgirls.com

Also, because I'm a total kettlebell geek, I subscribe to this YouTube channel, it's a series of workouts by Valery Federenko, a world champion lifter who is credited with bringing the sport of kettlebell lifting to the US consciousness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uFeHYi1ewE

Keep swinging that bell!

I would say that especially on the swings, you should go as heavy as you can while still maintaining good form. I see so many women in the gym go for the super-light weights, but it lets them get away with AWFUL form, and they never get any better at it. With heavier weights you're forced to use your hips to correctly generate power.

I use the 8kg kettlebell most of the time. Dr. Wendy Schauer, Chiropractor, is dedicated to keeping her patients strong & healthy; she teaches them kettlebell work outs. She trained me! She has YouTube video's under the name: KettleBellOlympia

Along with trainer Jake, they have uploaded many beginner exercies using kettlebells. She is the owner of Abundance Fitness Center & Community Chiropractic.

I love the core strengthening exercises. Kettlebell workouts address strength, flexibility, & cardio. My favorites: turkish get-up, squats, swings

Here is a link of Jake showing the beginning and advanced squat: http://www.youtube.com/user/KettleBellOlympia#p/u/6/VtjxxdBwnso

Dragon door is the best source. I use KBs and swear by them as the best form of general form of conditioning. I bought a few books from Pavel but finding a Rfc instructor was the best thing I ever did, even when I thought I knew a lot.

Bells are collected- you can never have enough so don't be afraid of buying a few of different weights or duplicate weights.

JUST USE THEM- and find a Rfc instructor.

Jeff Martone is the best source for the KB swing if you ask me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX42k6YHBqg

Check out the Dragon Door forums. There is a massive FAQ megathread there that will answer all your questions.

Also check out Dan John's Q&A over at the Dave Draper/Iron Online forums

And I'm pretty sure most KBers will recommend starting with the Program Minimum, which is basically swings for 12 minutes, twice a week, and get-ups for 5 minutes, twice a week ...ie 4 very short workouts a week.

I've just started KB training too, after a couple of years of barbell training, and this is what I am doing.

I felt like I should also be doing KB cleans, presses, snatches etc etc and I'd be missing out by not doing them, but I know the Program Minimum will build me a solid foundation and help with fat loss.

I let myself do a couple of workouts doing these other moves just to get it out of my system.

Now I'm just doing the swings and get-ups. I may add the occasional brief sprint workout once or twice a week if I feel like it.

BTW, it's not 12 minutes of continuous swings - warm up, then just do some reps until you feel yourself fatiguing/form breaking down, then stop and 'actively rest' (jog, skip, walk, planks etc), then carry on swingin a bit more.

Get-ups: not a race. Just alternate 1 rep per side for 5 mins. Don't try and get more reps than last time, just try and do them well.

I have been learning the get-up by doing half get ups - only going as far as the high-hips position, rather than standing all the way up. At first I was very wobbly and nervous. Now I am getting stronger and my shoulders becoming much more stable. (Just from these simple workouts!) Once I am 100% confident I will start working in the full movement.

Hehe, reminds me of my grandma. She always told me that although exercise is healthy, I should not do so many laps in the pool because I might develop big muscles and then men won't like me! She was honestly worried! I think a lot of older women have trouble processing the concept that women can be strong and lift heavy things and still be feminine. I think it's really more of an emotional issue than a logical one. Lifting babies seems feminine but lifting weights, perhaps not to a woman raised in an different era and environment. And so she worries because she is not sure exactly, but something seems not quite right about the slinging around of the big metal object..

+1 on finding an RKC instructor. I began learning about KBs on my own by reading and watching videos online. I bought a 20 lb KB to start out. The advice I heard over and over was to get some sessions with an RKC. I found one through Dragon Door an hour and a half from me. My husband and I made the drive once a week for classes with him for a total of 8 or 10 classes. I'm so glad we did! I now have a solid foundation to build on.

After we started classes I bought a 15 lb KB for one-handed stuff like cleans, presses, and snatches. Then I moved up to a 25 lb one for swings. Currently the 20 pounder is gathering dust.

It seems like 25 pounds is the right amount of heaviness for you.