I have mentioned kettlebells in this space previously. I first learned of them because one of my favorite boxers, Kostya Tszyu (who is getting geared up to fight Ricky Hatton in June), is a spokesman for an Australian firm that pushes the peculiar lumps of iron. Since the kettlebells have been experiencing an odd spike on the buzz-o-meter lately, I was interested to read this myth-busting article: Kettlebells : An Antidote to the Hype
The author makes several salient points. I, of course, will focus on the most trivial among them:
Kettlebells are Russian
No, they are not. In fact, they originated in the Highlands of Scotland. A popular pastime in the Highlands in winter is the sport of curling. This was originally played using birch brooms and round stones on frozen lakes and river mouths. In freezing temperatures, picking up a round stone covered in frost in the midwinter gloom can be a tricky proposition. Therefore, a cast iron handle was attached to the stones to make then easier to handle. Highland and Cumberland wrestlers then began using the stones during the spring as a training tool (one among many) for the Highland Games. The handle made it easy to pick up for pressing motions, so why not?
This is not a reason not to use kettlebells, but more of a hype-busting exercise. If you want to be an “authentic� kettlebeller, then learn to play the bagpipes and wear your kilt with pride.
That’s the best reason I’ve heard so far to get me some kettlebells! 
Of course, I also have to come to terms with the fact that curling originated in the land of my ancestors.
But then again, so did golf…
I like this explanation- I wrote it.
Why are kettlebells different than dumbells:
http://kettlestack.com/level.itml/icOid/11
Kettle bells are from russia…Stones are from around the world…lame ass!
(Approved because it tickled me.)
The person who wrote the article, Kettlebells: An Antidote to the Hype, scrambles to find reasons why kettlebell training is like other training. He shows his readers that he has never used a kettlebell and has absolutely no idea of kettlebell training. This article exists just to go against the hype, sadly there is no hype, kbells have existed for hundreds of years and have made boys into men. Injury with them is minimal if proper form is followed. Kettlebell training provides all the benefits of calisthenics, plyometrics, and resistance training. Kettlebell training teaches you proper movement patterns that are lost in bodyweight exercises as one’s lifelong musculoskeletal imbalances dictate the patterns of movements when only using your bodyweight without instruction on proper movement patterns. There is nothing better for your heart and lungs than kettlebell training, tabata interval sprinting is a joke. For martial artists and fighters there is nothing better for developing hip and core strength as well as balance, flexibility, speed, power, and endurance. Try cleaning and pressing, snatching, swinging a bell for 5 minutes straight then see how easy it is to simply hold your hands up and move around in a round of fighting. Specifically training for your sport will likely have less influence on your performance than kettlebell training, this is called the what the hell effect and has been proven by Russian scientists. Kbell training alone will increase the number of pullups, pushups, sprinting speed, jumping distance up and down, and long distance running endurance without ever touching these exercises. Injuries from kettlebell are rare since most injury occurs in the sagittal plane where kbells are king unlike dumbbells that mostly train muscles in the transverse plane (hence every bodybuilder bitching about shoulder, back, elbow pain). Overuse injuries may occur as kbell training is very intense and proper rest and nutrition must be followed.
One month of consistent kettlebell training is the equivalent to years wasted in the gym performing tradition resistance training and cardio. If you want to change your body forever hurry up and buy a kettlebell. The level of strength reached with kettlebell training in a very short period of training is that of lightweight strongman without all the useless mass. Do not listen to the conventional, dogmatic, naysayers that want you to continue to be fat, slow, and weak. Destroy them with your amazing power, speed, and athleticism by getting a kettlebell. Contact an RKC or HKC for instruction or read books by Pavel. Go slow and make sure you have perfect form when you practice.