What type of kettlebells should i buy

While cast-iron bells increase and decrease in proportion to their weight, competition bells are the same size regardless of weight. They are made out of a single-forged piece of steel and have larger or smaller cavities in the bell case instead of changing the size of the bell itself.

Cast-iron bells of different weights will sit on slightly different parts of the arm. We opted for cast-iron bells in our testing because kettlebell work is best entered into with two hands, and one can see from the above picture that the squared off handle of competition bells is less accommodating to both hands.

See this discussion of the benefits of double kettlebell lifts. The appeal of getting multiple weight increments in one device is undeniable. A kettlebell should be capable of being thrown, dropped, and even juggled , so I would opt for single-forged metal that can stand up to a beating—and stay together in the process. Most of these bells range from about 24 to 36 pounds in their adjustability.

Depending on your level of fitness, that might not be enough either right away or eventually. The few adjustable kettlebells that have a higher-end weight range have an unwieldy shape that make them impossible to use for some of the signature kettlebell moves like snatching and jerking. With that in mind, I set to work picking out the best cast-iron bells for testing. Dragon Door was the first US company to run kettlebell instructor certifications taught by famed instructor Pavel Tsatsouline and have mass distribution in the US Dragon Door started selling these bells in Rogue is one of the most famous competitors, popularized for its comparatively low price.

CAP is another popular fitness company that makes a good bell at a lower price point. For example, this Yes4All bell is one of the most popular models on Amazon, but its large, flat face is hard on the wrists in one-handed positions. Perform Better at one point implemented a screw-on rubber skid plate on the bottom of their bells, but later on scrapped it due to negative customer feedback.

The company now makes bells with a wider-diameter, more stable base. You will also need to decide between a powder-coated finish and an e-coated one.

Powder coating is cheaper, but is rougher on the hands. Vinyl-covered bells were created to protect floor spaces in commercial gyms and homes, but more often, the vinyl is there to smooth over the defects of a cheaply cast bell including some with uneven handles that cause hand pain and tearing.

I tested several vinyl-covered bells commonly sold in big-box stores, and found none worth buying. At the conclusion of the third week of testing, I asked the players which bells were their favorites. However, if a person is interested in exploring the full range of what kettlebell exercises have to offer including the kettlebell snatch, which in lab testing has yielded a remarkable rate of burning I was the only tester who did high-repetition snatching a one-handed exercise with the five test bells, and the Metrixx Elite easily rated highest when testing with both one-handed and two-handed exercises.

Our test group then continued testing each of the five bells for four more weeks. We did a basic routine together first, then I did a more advanced one. I selected this protocol to show the strength and conditioning benefit of a simple kettlebell routine and evaluate the quality of the kettlebell handle in terms of how it taxes the hands. The kettlebell snatch puts more pressure on your hands and grip than any other move does, and snatching reveals which product has the best handle.

A poorly produced handle can rip calluses off the hands during snatching, and this test is where the bells differentiated themselves. I have heavily callused hands from years of kettlebell work, and the two cheaper bells worked those calluses into swollen, bright-red welts by the time I got through reps.

The Metrixx Elite kettlebell has a slightly different handle dimension and more distance from the ball part of the bell to the handle to create a larger opening for more comfortable two-handed positions. The handle gap is just over a half-inch wider than the four other bells tested which all used the same basic dimensions as the Dragon Door bell, the industry standard in cast-iron bells.

Whenever you are referring to adults in kettlebell exercise, it relates to men and women above 18 years of age. They can be new to weightlifting exercise, or they might have some experience before the kettlebell training.

Adults fall into three categories depending on their weight training experience and fitness level. The three types of adults are:. The recommended kettlebell sizes for adult falls between lbs kg for men, while the recommended size for women falls between lbs kg.

Their goal for doing kettlebell exercise is to strengthen their bones and keep it firm. They are not building their muscle. The joint health of seniors determines the kettlebell size recommended for them. However, the specified kettlebell size for an average senior male is lbs kg. The kettlebell size of lbs kg is suitable for an average senior female. The quality of your kettlebell contributes to the success of your kettlebell exercise. Therefore, selecting the best kettlebell quality is necessary.

This is a crucial question because buying the right kettlebell with the best quality will make the exercise easy. To determine the quality of the kettlebell, ensure that you consider the following parameters:. Check the kettlebell to ensure that the handle, horn, and corner are smooth because kettlebell smoothness influences gripping, making the exercise comfortable. The kettlebell window is the space between the bell and the horn, which allows the user to handle the kettlebell conveniently.

Make sure that the kettlebell window is wide enough for you to hold the kettlebell. You need to consider the kettlebell's handle diameter because the diameter also aids you in your exercise. You may want a kettlebell with a thinner handle diameter. In comparison, your friend may wish to get a kettlebell with a thicker handle diameter.

There are different types of kettlebells, each with its specification and uniqueness. Here is a list of kettlebells and their specification:There are different types of kettlebells, each with its specification and uniqueness. Here is a list of kettlebells and their specification:. This type of kettlebell consists of a piece of cast iron. They are coated with powder to improve the texture and gripping of the metal.

Powder coat kettlebells are more durable because of the powder painting on their surface. This type of kettlebell is built of steel, and they are of the same size, irrespective of the weight.

This type of kettlebell has a full window, which can accommodate two hands during exercises. This is the most versatile type of kettlebell because you can vary the kettlebell's weight by adjusting the weighted plate. This type of kettlebell is coated with a composite polymer-ceramic, which gives you a personalized kettlebell. This type of kettlebell has a handle diameter of 33 millimeters. So that people with smaller hands can make a firm grip.

There is nothing wrong with having one kettlebell because you can still do a lot of exercise with the one to have. However, you should master the art of a single kettlebell exercise before you move to swings and snatches.

Having at least two kettlebells is good because it allows you to scale up your exercise and gives you flexibility in your training. The common trend among men is that many of them think that they are physically powerful. Thus, they can lift a heavy kettlebell weight. However, if you are not familiar with weight training and have not used equipment like dumbbells, your first exposure to kettlebell may shock you because it requires attention to detail and works many muscles.

The kettlebell size for men is within the range of lbs kg. This range accommodates all categories of men, including the inactive types. Women believe that they need a lighter kettlebell for their exercise, but this is not valid.

The kettlebell you need is the type that can quickly increase your number of repetitions. The kettlebell size for women in all categories is within the range of lbs kg. A pood is a unit for measuring the weight of kettlebells in Russia. This term is mostly used by traditional kettlebell trainers.

One pood is equivalent to In your journey for a balanced and coordinated body, ensure that you select the best kettlebell size after considering the factors analyzed above. Always ensure that you possess the best kettlebell quality and know that your kettlebell exercises will start generating results in no time. These factors are: The type of kettlebell exercises you want to undergo: Ballistic vs.

Grind exercises. Your weightlifting experiences. However, if you have mastered all the two handed exercises and want to take your kettlebell training to the next level and even enter some competitions then the competition kettlebells are for you. If you choose to go for the cast iron kettlebells then there is still a few more things that you need to know before you buy. The first thing is the handle. A kettlebell with a handle that is too thick is going to quickly tire out your forearms and finishing repetitions of an exercise can be very tough.

Next, can you fit both hands through the kettlebell handle? Some kettlebells, like the the competition ones, are only wide enough for one hand. So if the kettlebell has a round rubber or plastic foot on it, I would certainly avoid that type of kettlebell. The fourth thing is to make sure that there are no sharp edges on the kettlebell handle.

Look out for kettlebells that have sharp bits of paint and also check where the handle meets the body that there are no small nicks that can cut into your hands. If you have got an existing kettlebell with sharp edges, then you can sometimes sand them down with sandpaper. The next thing is the body of the kettlebell. So you want a slightly oval kettlebell body and a handle that smoothly moulds into the body of the kettlebell.

There should be a nice smooth bit of continuity with the kettlebell from the body into the handle. Unfortunately coated kettlebells can get very slippy as your hands sweat plus they have really annoying seams where they have been coated that damage the hands. Also plastic handles never seem to be very round and tend to have an oval handle which causes problems as it rotates through the hand. However, due to the huge rise in popularity there are now many weight sizes in-between the ones listed above.

The great news is that if you make the right purchase you will only need to buy a few of the best kettlebells and they will last you for a lifetime. With these 3 kettlebell weights there is nothing more a lady should ever need for her kettlebell training. If you feel that 8kg is too heavy for a starting weight then you need to understand the type of exercises you will be performing.

At a later date more experienced kettlebell practitioners may work on overhead presses with the 32kg plus may need to bridge the gap between the 16kg and 24kg with a 20kg for single handed exercises. Want more? What kettlebell weights to use for the different kettlebell exercises.

Here are one brand that I have consistently used over the past few years without any problems , they are very reasonably priced and available on Amazon.

For those based in the UK , head on over to Wolverson Fitness and check out their black series of kettlebells. If you are new to kettlebell training and only want to perform a few simple exercises then almost any kettlebell will do. However, if you want to get the most out of kettlebell training and perform slightly more advanced kettlebell exercises then you are going to need to choose a good quality kettlebell. Cast Iron kettlebells are the most diverse and excellent for beginners and almost anyone not interested in going in to competition.

If you are more advanced and want to focus on purely single handed exercises then the competition kettlebell may be for you. Buying the right kettlebell is an important decision if you are serious about your kettlebell training. Get the best kettlebells now and they will last you a lifetime and enhance your exercise experience. This commission will not affect the original price or the price you pay. I bought one kettlebell and you verified I do, in fact, have the proper one.

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? Out of shape, inactive men should try an 8 kg - 18 lb kettlebell. Unlike men, women tend to start out with a kettlebell that is too light for them, sometimes way too light! Women I have news for you; you are a lot stronger than you think you are!

Lifting kettlebells will not make you big and bulky and rob you of your feminine curves. On the contrary, with proper training and dedication it will give you the body you've always wanted.

So don't be scared of "heavy" kettlebells; once you learn how to unlock the power of your hips and core you will be swinging kettlebell weights you never thought possible. For ballistic movements like kettlebell swings, cleans and snatches an average, active women should start with a kettlebell between 8 kg - 18 lb and 12 kg - 26 lb. An athletic woman should start with a kettlebell between 12 kg - 26 lb and 16 kg - 35 lb.

Out of shape, inactive women should try a bell between 6 kg - 13 lb and 8 kg - 18 lb. As with men, for controlled, grinding movements like Turkish Get-ups and windmills you should choose a kettlebell that you can easily press overhead about times.

An average, active women should start with a kettlebell between 6 kg - 13 lb and 8 kg - 18 lb. An athletic woman should start with a kettlebell between 8 kg - 18 lb and 12 kg - 26 lb and out of shape, inactive women should try a bell between 4 kg - 9 lb and 6 kg - 13 lb. Various styles of kettlebells are marketed these days. We manufacture both "classic" cast iron kettlebells and steel competition "sport" kettlebells. For an explanation of the difference between our kettlebell types please click here.

When shopping for a quality kettlebell some of the attributes to look for are :. Competition or "Pro Grade" kettlebells are made to fixed specifications. They are made of steel, rather than cast iron, and are used in international kettlebell competitions and are fast becoming the favorite kettlebell of many "fitness' lifters as well.

To find out more about the differences between cast iron and competition kettlebells click here. Well we could certainly could, like so many of our competitors, and make lots of money doing it too, however there is a very good reason that we do not.