Kettlebell Buying Guide
We often get asked about our kettlebells from customers confused by the abundance of choice. Which style is best, what size is right for me, why do prices vary so much, does material matter and so on.
We want you to get the right equipment for you, so below we'll talk you through the different types of kettlebells available on the market, some things to look for (and avoid) when buying kettlebells, and hopefully help you find the right kettlebell (s) for you.
What are Kettlebells?
In its simplest form, a kettlebell is a heavy ball with a handle attached to it. There are many shapes and sizes available, with kettlebells made from a variety of materials including steel, cast iron or cement, and covered in paint, powdercoat, vinyl, neoprene and a host of other products.
Unlike traditional dumbbells, a kettlebell's centre of mass (the ball) is extended beyond the hand, similar to Indian clubs or Ishi_sashi, which facilitates ballistic and swinging movements. Common kettlebell exercises involve swings, lifts, and presses, and unlike traditional weightlifting movements, kettlebell training can be performed using both or only one side of the body.
Kettlebells are effective because they tax and develop so many aspects of fitness and strength training at the same time. Studies confirm that while kettlebells can develop your overall fitness, they are highly effective at improving specific elements of endurance, strength and power as well. Whatever your fitness goals, it’s likely that kettlebells can help you achieve them efficiently and effectively.
What Kettlebells are available?
The Kettlebell market can be tricky to navigate, with many different types of kettlebells available.
If you’re planning on using kettlebells for simple movements like deadlifts or squats, then for the most part any kettlebell will do the job.
But if you’re looking to perform a broad range of kettlebell exercises, not all kettlebells are suitable. It’s important to pick a kettlebell that is going to keep you safe while you train, and help you progress as you build your knowledge around kettlebell training.
Kettlebells we think you should avoid
Not all kettlebells are equal, so let’s start with some of the kettlebells we recommend you avoid.
Vinyl Coated Kettlebells
Although vinyl coated kettlebells can be more affordable than most other kettlebells, their handles are often weaker and flimsy uneven and / or with sharp edges - making them more difficult to grip and balance when swinging.
Adjustable Kettlebells
While adjustable kettlebells can be more cost effective than buying a full suite of kettlebells, they are awkward to use and often unbalanced - giving them a slightly different weight distribution, not ideal for all exercises that require smooth and ballistic movements.
Odd Shaped Kettlebells
Who doesn’t want a gorilla face on a kettlebell?
Even though these kettlebells do look cool it is quite difficult to clean and press kettlebells that have unusual shapes - who wants gorilla shaped bruises on their forearms. They also suffer from an uneven weight distribution, creating issues for exercises that require smooth and ballistic movements.
Kettlebells to consider.
If you want to take your kettlebell training a little more seriously, then you need to choose a kettlebell that is balanced correctly, and that will not damage your wrists, forearms, or cut up your hands.
We recommend two types of kettlebells: Classic style Cast Iron Kettlebells, and Competition or Pro Grade Steel Kettlebells.
Classic Cast Iron Kettlebells are cast in one solid piece of metal, meaning they will increase in size as their weight increases (ie heavier kettlebells require more material to make up their weight). Not only the ball increases in size - the handle width and diameter also increases in size as weight increases.
The style of handle on classic kettlebells angles outwards, making it easier to grip when using two hands for exercises such as goblet squats, high pulls and two-handed swings.
Being made from cast iron, calibration is more difficult to control, and weight fluctuations are more likely. 360 Strength Classic Cast Iron Kettlebells are manufactured to within 3% of the designated weight.
Due to the simpler nature of manufacture and more readily available materials, Classic Cast Iron Kettlebells tend to be cheaper (compared to Competition Steel Kettlebells) and more popular in home gyms.
Competition kettlebells are usually made from steel, and made to a standardised size; that is, regardless of the weight, they are all the same physical size. To achieve this, competition kettlebells are manufactured with a hollow centre, that is later filled to achieve the desired weight, then balanced and sealed before being coated.
Competition kettlebells also tend to have wider, consistently sized handles that run up and down rather than angled.
Ensuring that that kettlebell size is standardised is paramount, as it ensures that the shape and ergonomics of the kettlebells don't become a performance factor - that is, only the weight changes between sizes. This allows you to increase the weights you are working with, without having to adjust your form due to the size of the kettlebell being different (as is the case with classic kettlebells).
Due to the added complexity in manufacture, and the additional materials cost, competition steel kettlebells tend to be more expensive than classic kettlebells, and are more often found in commercial gyms.
For those who want to get a little more technical, let’s move onto some of the more detailed specs and see how the 360 Strength Classic and Competition Kettlebells match up against each other.
Classic Cast Iron Kettlebells |
Competition Steel Kettlebells |
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What weight should I use?
When it comes to picking the correct kettlebell weight, there’s a few things to factor in.
If you only plan on using kettlebells for simple exercises like deadlifts or squats, then picking something a little heavier should be ok. If you’re looking at using kettlebells for a broad range of exercises then getting kettlebells in the moderate weight range might be a better idea as you can use them for swings, cleans etc, then incorporate slower tempo reps or pause reps for deadlifts.
The main thing is that you pick a weight that challenges you to grow but is also going to be light enough to improve your form over time without the risk of injury.
Recommended Kettlebell Weights for Females
The most common three weight sizes we recommend for females looking to start training with kettlebells are:
- 8kg – perfect starting weight, great for learning the basic movements
- 12kg – used for the two-handed swing to begin with and then later many other exercises
- 16kg – perfect progression for the two-handed swing when more advanced to complement the 12kg
If you feel that 8kg is too heavy for a starting weight, you can drop this to a 6kg or 4kg to suit, then adapt the other recommended sizes to suit. Alternatively, if the 8kg is too light, increase to 10kg or 12kg, and adapt the other sizes to suit.
Recommended Kettlebell Weights for Males
The most common three weight sizes we recommend for males looking to start training with kettlebells are:
- 12kg – perfect for beginners with no weight lifting experience
- 16kg – starting weight and great for swings and most single-handed exercises
- 24kg – great progression for the two-handed swing and later other single-handed exercises
At a later date more experienced kettlebell practitioners may work on overhead presses with the 28kg +, and / or may need to bridge the gap between the 16kg and 24kg with a 20kg for single handed exercises.
If you feel that 12kg is too heavy for a starting weight, you can drop this to a 10kg or 8kg to suit, then adapt the other recommended sizes to suit. Alternatively, if the 12kg is too light, increase to 14kg or 16kg, and adapt the other sizes to suit.
We offer a number of kettlebell packages in various configurations to suit most buyers, or if you can't find the package you want, give us a call on 03 9462 3943 or email us at info@littleblokefitness.com.au for a custom quote and a chat.
Final Thoughts
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 advanced kettlebell exercises then you are going to need to choose a good quality kettlebell that will be durable enough to withstand the toughest workouts and keep you safe along the way.
The more confident you get with using kettlebells, the more you’ll be able to challenge yourself with the weight you’ll be able to use, so be patient in the build up phase this is where all the fun is.
Now that you’re up to scratch with everything you need to know about Kettlebells, only one question remains.
Are you team Cast Iron Kettlebells or team Competition Steel Kettlebells?