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Overview
Let’s talk about kettlebells! What comes to mind when you hear the word kettlebell? Not to be confused with ‘kettle ball’. A simple description that everyone can understand and visualize when describing the kettlebell is that it is a round ball made of cast iron and has a handle.
Did you know that kettlebells were initially created in Russia to weigh crops? These steel balls have evolved from being used in farms and found their way into gyms for various exercises.
This teapot look-alike gym equipment has become a popular staple for many enthusiasts. When training with kettlebells, be assured that you will be working your core, power, and all the nice stuff, like helping you build muscle and providing your cardiovascular system with a great workout.
According to Ben Foster, Founder and head coach at People’s Athletic Club, “If the only gym equipment you can access is the kettlebell, it is possible to get an effective full-body workout.”
So, how do you get on this kettlebell bandwagon to experience all the above benefits and much more? First and foremost, you’d need to get kettlebells, not just any kettlebells out there; you’ll want to go with the best kettlebell available in the market.
In this article, we will spotlight the best kettlebells and let you know why it should be your latest addition to your home gym. We will also help you navigate in choosing the best kettlebell in the market by providing you with the key factors to consider before buying.
Best Kettlebells
Best Kettlebell Overall:
Dmoose Kettlebell
Best Kettlebell for Beginners:
Onnit Kettlebells
Best Competition Kettlebell:
CAP Barbell Cast Iron Competition Weight
Best Budget Competition Kettlebell:
Amazon Basics Kettlebell
Best Kettlebell for Small Hands:
Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebell
Our Top Picks
#1 DMoose Kettlebell
Key specifications:
- Material: High-quality solid cast iron
- Finish: Powder-coated for enhanced grip and rust resistance
- Handle: Ergonomically designed wide handles for comfort and security
- Weight Range: 9lbs to 70lbs
- Special Features: Color-coded for easy weight identification, suitable for all fitness levels
What we love:
- Precision-engineered for strength and endurance training.
- Robust gravity cast design ensures lasting durability.
- Powder-coated finish for superior grip during workouts.
- Color-coded for quick and easy weight selection.
- Versatile enough for both beginners and seasoned fitness enthusiasts.
- Offers a wide range of weights from 9lbs to 70lbs.
- Rust-resistant, ensuring long-term cleanliness and maintenance ease.
What to consider:
- Not the cheapest option available, reflecting its premium build quality.
- The color-coding system may require familiarization for new users.
Why we choose DMoose Kettlebell:
DMoose Kettlebells boast exceptional build quality with gravity-cast construction for durability. Powder-coated grip for safety and efficiency with color-coding for quick weight identification. Ideal for novices and pro athletes for dynamic workouts.
Overview
Upgrade your strength training regime with DMoose Kettlebells, meticulously engineered for both precision and endurance. Designed to last, these kettlebells come with a gravity-cast construction, ensuring superior durability and a consistent experience across all weights. The introduction of a powder-coated finish provides an unbeatable grip during intense training sessions.
It also adds a layer of rust resistance, ensuring your equipment remains clean and maintenance-free for years. With a wide range of weights from 9lbs to 70lbs, DMoose Kettlebells are color-coded for quick identification, making them perfectly suited for home gyms and fitness enthusiasts desiring efficient and effective workouts.
While they may not be the most budget-friendly equipment option on the market, their premium quality and versatility make them a valuable investment for any fitness journey. Push yourself to new limits and achieve your goals with DMoose Kettlebells. So why wait? Upgrade your workout game today!
#2 Onnit Kettlebell
Key specifications:
- Material: High-quality solid cast iron
- Finish: Powder-coated for superior grip and rust resistance
- Handle: Ergonomic wide handles
- Weight Range: 13lbs to 90lbs
- Special Features: Color-coded for quick weight identification, suitable for all fitness levels
What we love:
- Crafted from high-quality solid cast iron for unbeatable durability
- Ergonomic wide handles ensure comfort and security during intense workouts
- Powder-coated finish enhances grip and adds a rust-resistant layer
- Color-coded weights for easy identification
- Wide weight range from 13lbs to 90lbs, accommodating all fitness levels
What to consider:
- Premium pricing may not fit all budgets
- Limited to traditional design options
Why we choose Onnit Kettlebells:
Onnit Kettlebells: Exceptional fitness tools crafted with dedication. Solid cast iron and ergonomic design provide a seamless strength training experience for all levels. A durable and versatile long-term investment in your fitness journey.
Overview
Onnit Kettlebells have been engineered to meet the exacting standards of both amateur and professional athletes. The attention to detail in their design and construction ensures a consistent and effective workout experience across the entire weight range.
With a focus on durability, the gravity-cast construction guarantees that these kettlebells can withstand the rigors of intense daily use without compromising on performance. The powder-coated finish not only provides a superior grip but also adds an extra layer of protection against rust, making them a reliable and maintenance-free option for your best home gym equipment setup.
Additionally, the color-coded weights simplify the process of weight selection, ensuring that you can focus exclusively on your workout. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced athlete, Onnit Kettlebells can help take your strength and conditioning to the next level. Let Onnit be your partner in achieving your fitness goals today and for many years to come.
#3 CAP Barbell Cast Iron Competition Kettlebell Weight
Key specifications:
- Material: Solid cast iron
- Finish:Industrial powder-coated
- Handle: Wide for comfortable grip
- Weight Range: 9lbs to 88lbs
- Special Features: Flat bottom for stability, weight marked in lbs and kg
What we love:
- Versatile for targeting specific muscles or full-body workouts
- Flat bottom design facilitates a wide range of exercises including renegade rows and handstands
- Constructed from high-quality, solid cast iron for durability
- Industrial powder-coated finish for enduring protection
- Wide, comfortable handle for a secure grip
- Weight clearly marked in both pounds and kilograms
- Available in a wide range of weights to suit all fitness levels
What to consider:
- The color coding may wear over time with heavy use
- These kettlebells are a significant investment; ensure they match your fitness goals
Why we choose CAP Kettlebell Cast Iron Competition Weight:
CAP Competition Kettlebells are known for their exceptional design, durability, and versatility, catering to beginners and enthusiasts alike. With solid cast iron construction, a flat bottom, and a comfortable handle, they are a top choice for enhancing strength training routines.
Overview
CAP Competition Kettlebells exemplify quality and versatility. Crafted from solid cast iron without any welds or seams, they offer durability and safety that few others can match. The industrial powder-coated finish not only protects the kettlebells from wear and tear but also provides a superior grip during the most intense workouts.
Their thoughtful design includes a flat bottom that increases stability for exercises like pistol squats and handstands, making them a versatile addition to any fitness program. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced athlete, these kettlebells are sure to take your strength training to the next level.
Available in a wide range of weights and featuring clear markings in both pounds and kilograms, they are perfect for anyone looking to improve their overall fitness and achieve their goals.
#4 Amazon Basics Kettlebell
Key specifications:
- Material: Solid cast iron with a black enamel finish
- Handle: Textured wide handle for a secure grip
- Weight: 35 pounds
- Dimensions: 8.4″L x 5.3″W x 9.4″H
- Special Feature: Portable, with a sleek and durable design
- Color: Black
- Brand: Amazon Basics
What we love:
- Durable cast iron with a black finish
- Textured handle for grip
- Versatile for workouts
- Sleek black design
- Portable and compact
What to consider:
- Fixed Weight: No adjustable weights
- Limited Options
Why we choose Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell:
This kettlebell represents the ideal blend of functionality, durability, and cost-effectiveness, crucial for anyone looking to enhance their home gym without breaking the bank. Its solid construction and ergonomic design ensure safe and effective workouts, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned fitness enthusiasts.
Overview
Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell is a testament to the simple yet highly effective workout equipment that caters to a broad spectrum of fitness routines. Its solid cast iron construction guarantees longevity, while the black enamel finish offers corrosion protection, keeping the kettlebell in pristine condition even through rigorous daily use.
The well-designed, textured handle ensures a firm grip, reducing the risk of slippage and enhancing workout safety. It seamlessly complements a variety of exercises, from swings and squats to lifts and lunges, making it a versatile tool for achieving comprehensive strength training goals.
Furthermore, its compact and portable design makes it a perfect addition to any home gym setup, allowing for convenient storage and easy transport.
Overall, the Amazon Basics Cast Iron Kettlebell provides an excellent balance between quality, functionality, and affordability, making it a top choice for those looking to step up their fitness game at home. So why wait? Add this kettlebell to your workout routine and experience the benefits firsthand!
#5 Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebell
Key specifications:
- Material: High-quality virgin cast iron, powder-coated
- Handle: Wide, thick, non-slip for a secure grip
- Weight: 35 pounds (16 Kilograms)
- Dimensions: 8.03″L x 5.35″W x 9.25″H
- Features: Portable design, non-slip handle, flat bottom for stability
- Color: Light Blue
- Brand: Yes4All
What we love:
- Premium-Quality: Virgin cast iron, flat base.
- Durable Coating: Rust-resistant, enhances grip.
- Safe Design: Non-slip handle for a secure grip.
- Versatile: Ideal for various exercises.
- Fitness Efficiency: Boosts strength and endurance.
What to consider:
- Weight: Match it to your fitness level & goals.
- Space: Check your workout area fits the kettlebell for safe use.
Why we choose Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebell:
Yes4All’s Cast Iron Kettlebell shines with top-notch craftsmanship and user-friendly design. Crafted from solid cast iron for durability and stability, it features a rust-resistant powder coating for improved grip and safety. Versatile and efficient, this kettlebell enhances any workout routine with exercises targeting multiple muscle groups.
Overview
Yes4All’s commitment to quality and performance is evident in every aspect of their Cast Iron Kettlebell. Constructed from high-grade virgin cast iron without welds, seams, or weak spots, it’s built to withstand rigorous use while maintaining its integrity.
The thoughtful design extends to its ergonomics, featuring a generously wide and thick handle to ensure comfort and security during intense training sessions. It’s not merely a piece of workout equipment.
It’s a staple for any fitness enthusiast looking to enhance their strength training regimen. Whether you’re just beginning your fitness journey or pushing towards new goals, the Yes4All Cast Iron Kettlebell adapts to your needs, offering a range of weights to challenge and grow with you.
Benefits of Kettlebells
For any skeptics out there or if you’re still feeling slightly on the fence about getting a kettlebell set, we will first look at the benefits you can experience when you decide to include them in your gym sessions. They are:
Low-intense Cardio
While we all love and appreciate a good cardio workout, it’s a plus if the training is low-impact. When working out with a kettlebell set, your feet don’t need to be lifted from the ground or require any movement. You can have a low-impact cardio session from one spot with just a single kettlebell.
Full Body Strength and Conditioning
Because of their versatile nature, kettlebell sets are all on their own without any other gym equipment, making it possible to have practical full-body conditioning sessions. Workouts incorporating kettlebell sets will make you engage all your body muscles, conditioning it from head to toe.
Improve Coordination, Body Awareness and Mobility
Imagine working out with a steel ball that you’ll have to swing in different directions to ensure you’re getting in an efficient workout, yes? It requires proper coordination and mobility technique so that you don’t end up harming yourself.
You don’t need to be skilled before using a kettlebell set; you’ll need to start with straightforward workouts that don’t need movements that are too advanced or complicated for a beginner.
Compared to more linear barbell workouts, kettlebell workouts require more dynamic movements. Over time, with consistent kettlebell exercises that are more complex, you’ll be able to develop kinesthetic.
Versatile Training
Workout sessions don’t have to be monotonous and boring; kettlebell sets make it possible to have a variety of workouts. In addition to their versatility, kettlebells are portable so you can change your workouts occasionally. You can also change the workout locations.
Improves Body Balance
When exercising with a kettlebell, you must hold your position firmly on the ground while moving it from arm to arm or in other directions. You can only successfully perform these movements and stay stable by strengthening your muscles and maintaining proper balance.
Maintaining body balance contributes to strong stabilizer muscles, increased core strength, and outstanding body balance.
Grip Strength
Having adequate grip strength is essential not only for gym activities but also in everyday life. Surprisingly, you might find some individuals in the fitness world who feel having the right grip strength is not so important. But, we are here to demystify this myth and confirm that the proper grip is vital for any exercises that require you to work with weight.
When working out with kettlebells, your arms will indeed feel the burn and the impact of the movements; consistent workouts with this equipment contribute to powerful grip strength.
Stronger Posterior Chain
A workout like the kettlebell swing targets your backside, the posterior chain. Such a workout will strengthen your backside, help you build stronger glutes and upper body strength, and develop muscles in your core.
A good and strong posterior chain directly contributes to a better and improved posture and enhanced athletic prowess.
Improved Muscle and Body Balance
It is normal and sometimes happens that your right side is stronger than your left side; the right approach to achieving the correct balance on both sides is adopting workouts that target specific areas.
The kettlebell swing workout is one example of a workout requiring you to remain balanced and stable as you swing the kettlebell. The force of such a workout and engaging the correct muscle contributes to improved strength and body balance.
Better Joint Health
Despite putting less strain and stress on your joints, kettlebell exercises contribute to their improved health. Your joints also become stronger as most of the workouts you perform with kettlebells require you to maintain proper balance and control.
Consistent kettlebell exercises help your joints build resilience and elasticity, contributing to fewer injuries, a factor also tied to the low-impact nature of the exercises.
Above are just a few of the benefits you can experience from exercising with a kettlebell set; as you can see, most of them will not only impact the fitness aspect of your life but also contribute to an overall improved lifestyle outside the gym.
Types of Kettlebells
Kettlebells available in the market differ in size, weight, shape, and material. At this point of the article, we shall look at the two most common kettlebells, which are classified according to the material used to make them. And that is:
Cast Iron
These types of kettlebells are made from iron. Cast iron kettlebells are ideal for beginners as one can use both hands when exercising. The size of these kettlebells increases according to the increase in weight.
Steel (Competition Kettlebell)
It is much smaller than the two types and is designed for use by a single hand, unlike the cast iron ones. Competition kettlebells don’t change in size or shape; even when the weight increases, they stay the same.
Because of the small handle, they provide you with a better grip as your hand will not slide around.
Besides the two types listed above, you can also get a chrome handle or adjustable kettlebells.
Kettlebell Weights: How to Choose the Correct Weight
When it comes to kettlebell weights, choosing the right weight is essential as you must match your fitness goals to the weight. The options range from lighter weights, which are best for beginners, to heavier weights for seasoned and pro-weight lifters. Some of the most common weights are:
- 17 pounds (8kg)
- 26 pounds (12kg)
- 35 pounds (16kg)
- 45 pounds (20kg)
- 53 pounds (24kg)
- 70 pounds (32kg)
As a beginner, ideally start with 16 kg kettlebells for males and 8kg for women. If you consider yourself an intermediate with weight lifting, you can go for the 20kg kettlebells (men) and 12 kg (women). Advanced and experienced weight lifters can work out with heavier kettlebells like the 24kg (men) or 16 kg kettlebells for women.
Apart from your experience level, there are other factors to consider as they might contribute to the kettlebell weights. Such as:
- Age
- Type of exercise
- Purpose and reason for getting the kettlebells
- Quality of kettlebell
Factors to Consider When Looking at Kettlebells For Sale
Now that we’ve covered the benefits and highlighted how you can pick the correct weight of kettlebells, we shall look at some factors to ensure you only end up with the best kettlebell in the market. These factors are:
- Comfortable Handle – Avoid thick handles that you can’t grip and wrap your hands around or too narrow, making it hard to hold the kettlebell with both hands, especially if you’re a beginner
- Flat Base – Kettlebell set should have a flat base to ensure they remain stable and steady when placed on a flat surface
- Clean Finish – This factor touches and focuses on how the kettlebell is aesthetic; though not going for pretty or cute, you want a kettlebell set that has sharp edges or nicks that might injure you
Conclusion
If you are looking for gym equipment to help you build strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance, look no further; get some kettlebells. Add to their versatility aspect, which makes it possible to do different workouts daily, injecting some fun into your sessions.
Kettlebells are easy to use; you don’t need to incorporate complicated workouts to achieve desired results. What could be more appealing than fun, easy-to-use gym equipment, simple, low-impact exercises, and many great benefits?
With the factors checklist, you can get the best kettlebell set available, start your workouts, and enjoy all the above.
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