Ok. So I've checked out some links to these kettleball things. I'm interested. I have some questions:

Can I go to a sporting goods store and purchase these devices, or do I have to order online?

I can bench press 250. Curl... a decent amount, I'm not sure. What size kettleball do I want to start out with?

Some of these videos, the exercises look extreme. I have three messed up discs in my back. Do I need to worry about throwing my back out?

pour concrete into milk jugs?

I use very low weight dumbbells, though that's not supposed to be as good. If you have those give it a try and see how it impacts your back.

As with all things back it only takes one bad move to hurt yourself and you do a lot of dynamic movement weight bearing movement with the balls, so I would be careful.

You'd probably have to go to a fitness store (where they sell real gym equipment), not a sporting-goods store.  And even then, they'd likely have to special-order them.

There isn't a 1:1 correspondence with your bench-press and free weights.  Go with the weight that you're able to clean and/or press with a dumbbell for 6-8 reps, then round up to determine which size to buy.

One thing about the 'bells is that the movements aren't your typical grind.  There's often a fair amount of aerobic movement to them -- such as doing swings (grasp the weight with both hands, swing it between your legs and up to about shoulder-height, using your glutes to get it up there).

They also help promote stability -- just as in Turkish get-ups (start with lying on your back with one kettlebell held above you.  Now twist to put your weight on one arm.  Lift and get your opposite-side leg under you.  Twist to get into a lunge position, and stand up.  Reverse to get back onto the floor.  That's one rep.)

If you watch the video on Pavel's site, those flips & stuff they're doing are just showing off.  Notice that they're on outdoors on the beach -- you wouldn't want to try them indoors, or near one of those full-length mirrors. :-)

>>  I have three messed up discs in my back. Do I need to worry about throwing my back out? <<

Whoops didn't see this.
You'll want to round *down* when picking a size, then.  And then, you'll probably want to work with a professional to see what you're able to safely handle.

"Do I need to worry about throwing my back out?"

not really. just make sure to do it the evening before they come collecting.

I haven't been able to walk right since Friday night's squat session.  I didn't use kettlebells.  I'm just using bodyweight from Pavel's bodyweight book.  I squatted up and down 200-something times, simply going up and down.  It is a great cardio workout.

I haven't felt my legs since Friday--exaggerating a bit, but they haven't been this sore since ever.

Now, mind you, I can squat a barbell, free-standing, 225 lbs for numerous repetitions.  So I thought oh, this up down thing is nothing.

You would be surprised how just weight training and running doesn't really do it for full fitness.

I'm working on one-armed push-ups (started out with a box elevated) and the one-legged squat, pistol style.

I can already see and feel a difference.  Amazing how changing your workout challenges you.

this one talks about back pain

http://www.performbetter.com/catalog/matriarch/OnePiecePage.asp_Q_PageID_E_201_A_PageName_E_kettlebellvideo3

interesting that he says it saved him after two back surgeries.

> http://www.performbetter.com/catalog/matriarch/MultiPiecePage.asp_Q

Wow, excellent videos. Best I've seen.