Obviously this question has some leeway based on the strength levels and height/weight, but here goes:
I bought a 25 lb. kettlebell, have done quite a bit of reading up on technique, and did my first kettlebell workout this morning - only the basic swing for 6 minutes Tabata interval style. Very challenging, and I will be sore tomorrow for sure, but the intensity feels about right, and I could feel my whole back and core muscles engaging throughout the swings.
My mother-in-law had seen the 25 lb. kettlebell yesterday and remarked that it seemed too heavy - she was worried for me. (She also remarked that it looked like a masculine bodybuilding thing - as in "not for ladies", but I'm hoping that an increasingly lean physique may help to convince her otherwise in the long term.)
Is 25 lb. a good starting point weight for women doing basic swinging workouts? I'm not doing Turkish getups anytime soon - will want to have a much stronger, more stable core for that first.
For context on my stature and fitness level, I'm 5'7", in the 180s (and dropping), and regularly carry a 25 lb. baby around throughout the day. I have also recently started doing planks/pushups, etc. and Mark Sisson's Workout of the Week.
ALSO - if anybody has links to any youtube kettlebell workouts that are beginner appropriate - and especially those with women involved, I'm interested!
