Which kettlebells are the best

I am building my strength and it absolutely feels great! Amazing teacher, you are. Hi Greg, I always appreciate your insights. I currently use two 35 lbs kettlebells, but I feel I need to increase weights. I use cast iron kettlebells now.

Do you have any experience with the adjustable competition kettlebells 12kg to 32kg? If so, what are your thoughts of those verse buying cast iron sets at several weights? Is there something particular about the kettlebell being 8kg rather than 9kg? It will tend to vary depending on the exercise Katie, but generally women will start with an 8kg or 12kg and progress to a 16kg for two handed swings.

Thank you for the informative blog. Great post Greg thank you. I own a 20kg that I do swings single and double , squats, lunges and some two hand exercises with. Thanks Greg I was debating between 16kg and 12kg, hoping to just purchase one that gives me the best versatility for different exercises.

Thank you for the article. That is an amazing article on Kettlebells. You seem to be an encyclopedia of Kettlebells. Thank you for posting such details. Hi Greg. You were saying about oval rather than round so is it better to have flat sections front and back? Others like the Original Kettlebells GB have flat surfaces on both sides. Can you clarify which is best? Yes David the sides of the kettlebell should not bulge out and be completely round or they dig into the forearm and wrist.

The black series are a good kettlebell. Turkish getups look good, but that is one exercise. Do you have any experience with these?

The look is very similar to REP also the whole website … Do you know these? Yes Marcus the handle spacing on those kettlebells looks ok from the images but I have not used them so I cannot recommend them. I just bought a Kettlebell, I bought the one with the monkey face 36LB, is it a good one or did I make a bad decision?

It will be OK for swinging and deadlifts but cleans etc. Just got your first email and looked at the article on what size kettlebell to use. I use a 24 kg for single-hand swings, so go heavier for two-handed swings. I have regularly used a 20 kg for Turkish get-ups, and have managed a few with a 24 kg.

I also use the 20 for single-leg deadlifts. Yes Val, some ladies can lift a lot more especially on the larger lifts using the hips and legs but they are in the minority in my experience.

This is really useful. Thanks Greg and contributors! Trying to decide on what kettlebell to buy is a lot more complicated than I imagined. One conclusion I have arrived at is that, as is often the case, buying cheaper versions may be a false economy. Getting the best you can afford at the time will give you a lifetime of use, whereas scrimping at the outset may actually cost more in the long run!

The color-coded bands at the base of the handle correspond to the kettlebell poundage ranging from 9 to 88 lbs. This beauty has all the benefits of a solid cast-iron bell plus a vibrantly colored vinyl coating that protects your floors and your arms and wrists during certain moves.

The textured handle also provides a nice secure grip. Beware of some other vinyl-coated kettlebells that are actually made of an iron handle fused to a concrete base — those impostors do not hold up well over time.

Tiny apartment , big fitness goals? An adjustable kettlebell ensures you have the proper poundage to do a variety of kettlebell exercises without taking up loads of space.

This model from Bowflex is widely considered the gold standard, easily adjusting to six settings between 8 and 40 lbs. Just turn the dial on top to add or drop a weight plate. This adjustable kettlebell from Apex is great and more budget-friendly than Bowflex , but only if you already have weight plates at home. It includes a lb. That means it can go from a minimum weight of 20 lbs. It accommodates many weights, depending on handle size, up to 55 lbs.

More of a nontraditionalist? Made from durable plastic, this kettlebell can be filled with water to hit your desired weight. The small 9-inch version holds up to 13 lbs. Its two-handled design offers easier maneuverability during certain exercises like the two-hand press , and most users like that the water adds a unique element to workouts. Until you figure out that you really like kettlebell workouts, you may be hesitant to shell out the big bucks, especially for a full set.

Reviewers love the wider, ergonomic handle on this kettlebell, which allows for better grip and maneuverability when you switch positions. Their Competition Kettlebell is no exception, and it just so happens to be a looker too! But what exactly is a competition kettlebell? You may notice that this one looks a tad different from the others on this list.

In general, though, either style of kettlebell cast-iron bells are sometimes referred to as hardstyle kettlebells can be used to get a total-body workout that builds muscle and increases cardiovascular endurance. As with the Metrixx Elite, each Kettlebell Kings bell is made from its own individual mold to ensure the exact correct weight. This Competition Kettlebell is available in weights from 18 to lbs. Setting out on an adventure to find your own kettlebell?

For overhead movements snatching , pressing , etc. Generally, a good starting point for beginners especially if you plan to use your kettlebell for swings is around 18 lbs. Renting an apartment? Go for neoprene or vinyl-coated to avoid cracked tile or scratches.

E-coating utilizes an electromagnetic application process where a charged kettlebell is submerged in an oppositely charged paint opposites attract! Powder-coated bells are spray painted; thus, the coat is more likely to be missing in spots or more uneven. If you're used to standard Dragon Door RKC kettlebells or any of its many clones , the Metrixx Elite's rack position might feel strange at first, since the ball part sits higher up on the forearm by comparison.

This especially stood out because the other bells tested all sat in the position close to the wrist that I was used to.

But I quickly recognized I just needed to get used to the new weight-bearing position of the Metrixx Elite bell. After lots of use, I felt more comfortable. If the Metrixx Elite is unavailable, or if you just want a standard-shaped bell without the wider handle, the Perform Better First Place Kettlebell feels the same in use as the high-end Dragon Door, but typically costs about 25 percent less.

In fact, its dimensions are identical except for the extra half inch of flat base diameter on the bottom of the Perform Better bell. This means it performs identically, but is easier to hold in a push-up position for the sometimes-precarious renegade row —typically done with two kettlebells of the same size.

Like the Dragon Door and Metrixx Elite, the First Place has a smooth, seamless handle, few surface defects, and a high-quality finish. Its finish is comparable to the e-coating on the Dragon Door or Metrixx Elite. But the bells we tested were really well made and showed no signs of being defective in build.

In fact, none of our five baseball player panelists said they would pay extra for any of the other bells for the basic routines they were testing with. CAP bells are also color-coated at the handle base for easy identification if you have a collection of bells, differentiating similar sizes can be difficult.

The tackiness irritated my hands something fierce while performing snatches. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the Dragon Door RKC Kettlebell should feel pretty good about itself. As a result, almost all cast-iron kettlebells sold in the US are based on the Dragon Door design. Unfortunately for Dragon Door, other companies have been able to duplicate its design at a comparable level of quality for a lot cheaper.

It has a powder-coated matte finish, machined bottom, and color-coded handle for easy weight identification. Rogue claims that its slightly coarser handles are designed to hold chalk well which they do , but I prefer not having to chalk at all. E-coating is a more time-intensive process because it involves dipping individual bells in an electrically charged paint bath to more thoroughly cover the oppositely charged opposites attract kettlebell.

E-coating is also considered the superior process because it allows for a comprehensive and uniformly thin layer of paint over the bell. Thus, there is superior protection from rust imperative in humid environments and less finish between the hand and cast iron a bulky or tacky finish can cause the ripping in the hands associated with kettlebell lifts. Powder-coating involves a spray-on application, which often results in an incomplete or uneven coating process.

Not surprisingly, e-coated kettlebells are generally more expensive than powder-coated bells. Because this bell seemed so different from the inconsistent reviews online, I called Perform Better to figure out what was going on. I spoke with Rob Milani, who runs sales and facility outfitting for the company, and he explained the eight-year evolution of these First Place bells. He said that the bells initially came with the rubber bottom plates because they were marketed to large box gyms concerned about floor protection.

They still have the plate available on the vinyl-coated bells. Milani explained that this partnership has produced the bell currently sold, and that the company plans on sticking with this design for the foreseeable future. Product Comparison: Competition Kettlebells Vs. Rise of the kettlebell , The Guardian.

At argos. Aimed at serious lifters, this range meets size and weight regulations up to competition standards, while an even weight distribution, extra-tough powdered coating and engraved weight indicators mean it'll last you forever too. The flat bottom allows it to be used for other exercises, such as push-ups, while a hollow core design places less stress on the wrists. At bestgymequipment. If you're happy enough with the selection of dumbbells you've acquired but are partial to the odd change of motion a kettlebell requires, this nifty little invention is quite something.

It'll turn any dumbbell that weighs less than 25kg into a kettlebell in an instant, making it infinitely easier to swing or deadlift. Weighing less than 50g, it travels well, too. Doublebells are a cylindrical evolution of the classic kettlebell, with a shape and handles designed for you to press, row, extend and rotate freely. Jaxjox offers a smarter approach to kettlebell training, putting six different weights into one bell. Place it inside the charging base and tap a button to add or detach weight cylinders covering 5.

When paired with the companion smartphone app, you can keep track of reps and sets and receive a Fitness IQ score to help monitor progress. A brand known for its cutting-edge exercise equipment, Technogym knows how to make good-looking kettlebells, too. The engraved numbers out in front help to elevate the look of individual or family sets to bring that boutique gym feel home. Do you need your kettlebell to resemble a bigfoot, gorilla, chimpanzee and other primates? This Bigfoot version is the heaviest in the collection, weighing in at an impressive 41kg.