Kettlebell Buyer's Guide
Kettlebells have been used in weight training by Russian athletes for ages but they’ve only recently caught on in the United States. If someone set a kettlebell in front of you, you’d probably assume there wasn’t much to one since it’s basically a handle attached to a weighted ball. However, you may be surprised to find out there’s a lot involved with this simple-looking workout tool. The great thing about kettlebells is they can be used in functional training which means more movement involved and more calories burned.
Kettlebell Types
Traditional Kettlebells
Though the look may vary slightly from one manufacturer to the next, a kettlebells basic form is a metal ball with a handle on it. A traditional model is one solid piece which has been cast from steel, iron, or other solid metal free of seams or burrs.
Adjustable Kettlebells
Adjustable kettlebells look similar to traditional kettlebells with the difference being they usually come as a handle with a pin which slides down the middle of a set of weight plates; a stand holds the extra weight plates when not in use. These types of kettlebell aren’t as sturdy as a traditional model, but they’re incredibly convenient to use and can help you save a lot of space.
Weight Considerations
Kettlebells range from a lightweight 2 pounds up to around 200 pounds for strongmen and tough guys. Your ideal weight range will depend on your fitness level as well as the exercises you’ll be performing. Kettlebells can be hazardous if not utilized properly, so weights 30 pounds or greater should only be used for movements where a lot of twisting or swinging isn’t required like an overhear press or chest press. On the other hand, moves like the windmill and kettlebell swing are better suited to weights under 30 pounds.
Workout Considerations
Kettlebells have been designed primarily for functional and sport specific exercises such as kettlebell swings, windmills, and kettlebell loading. Because of their unique shape, kettlebells may not work for 100 percent of traditional exercises associated with dumbbells, but they’ll function for many popular moves such as chest presses and arm curls.
The kettlebell handle should be wide enough where you can comfortably wrap your thumbs and at least three fingers of each hand around it. If the space is too tight inside the handle, it will rub against your hands causing discomfort or injury.
Selecting a Quality Kettlebell
There are a large variety of kettlebells out there and not all are created equally. Most kettlebells you find will be fairly expensive but it’s definitely worth paying extra for a safe, functional workout tool which will last you a lifetime.
Solid vs. Multicast
Most kettlebells are made of high quality steel or iron since these materials are resistant to premature wear. Lower quality models may have sharp seams or burrs which can cut you as well as being multicast instead of being one solid piece of metal. If a multicast kettlebell suddenly falls apart in the middle of an exercise, expect potential injury and/or property damage.
Vinyl Coating Issues
Cheaper models are typically coated in vinyl which is meant to cover imperfections. A vinyl coating will eventually tear off of the kettlebell and even when firmly on the bell, it poses a potential hazard by flying out of your hands if slippery. Finally, the vinyl material can give off a synthetic smell some people may find unpleasant.
Extra Features
Warranty
All Kettlebells come with some kind of manufacturer’s warranty, the length of which usually depends on the quality of the kettlebell itself. Lower quality bells typically feature a limited one year warranty while higher quality options may have a full lifetime warranty.
DVDs and Pamphlets
Many kettlebells come with either a DVD or pamphlet instructing you on many of the most popular workout movements. Pamphlets are okay in this regard but the DVDs are much easier to follow as they basically function as an exercise video.
Additional Equipment
Since these are fairly simple exercise tools there’s not a lot of extra equipment involved relating to the actual function of the bell. However, some companies choose to sweeten the deal by throwing in extras like exercise bands, mats, or even gloves to go along with your new kettlebell.