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Blake Robinson needed to find the most efficient way for his class members to work out.

A personal trainer who works at the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City, Robinson knew that his subjects would only have an hour to work out. So he introduced kettlebell weights.

It's been a wise choice. You want versatility? Kettlebells deliver. You can use them to lose weight or to gain muscle.

You want results? Kettlebells deliver. Robinson swears by them, as does Utah State University star football player Robert Turbin. The two men work out with kettlebell weights for the same reasons: strength, balance and efficiency.

"It's really a great thing because you can use it in so many different ways," Robinson said. "If I have an hour for a class and I want to get as much done as possible, this is a great tool. It works out more muscles, it's more efficient and it helps burn a lot of calories very quickly."

Kettlebell weights, invented in Russia, have been around for a few centuries, but their popularity has recently exploded. The weights resemble a cannonball with a handle. You can pass the weight from hand to hand as you walk, or lift it over your head for a shoulder workout.

"It's something that my strength coach introduced us to," Turbin said. "It helps with a lot of areas, but you have to be careful with it. If you don't do it right, you can really hurt your back."

Using kettlebell weights has been touted as a great way to burn fat and tone abdominal, leg and arm muscles. Most important, Robinson said, you can use it for Olympic-style weightlifting. "You don't have to worry about a barbell falling on you and breaking your foot," he said.

Robinson and other personal trainers have started training a variety of clients with kettlebell weights. Taking a walk through 24 Hour Fitness in Taylorsville, you can see the weighs in use. Kettlebells have helped Jana Ward, a longtime runner.

Working with Robinson to build muscle has benefited her running. "I hadn't ever been worked out in a gym until I started working with Blake," Ward said. "I feel stronger. My body is more balanced and I feel less prone to injury. It's been a great thing because I feel like it's opened up the things I can do."

tjones@sltrib.comTwitter: @tonyaggieville