Choosing the right kettlebell for your needs can be overwhelming. Here’s a kettlebell buyer’s guide with what to consider when buying your first kettlebells, followed by some of the best kettlebells depending on your needs.
Why you need kettlebells
First things first, why do you want to buy kettlebells in the first place?
One of the main reasons why kettlebells make a great addition to your gym equipment is that it has a thicker handle (compared to barbells and dumbbells), which helps you develop more forearm strength and a better grip.
Another good reason is that it will improve your power endurance, not just your strength, which makes it excellent for fat loss and conditioning.
Finally, if you are looking for equipment for your home gym, kettlebells are ideal, because they take up very little floor space. They also allow you to train anywhere, so you can even take them outside if you fancy a training session in nature.
The weight
The first question you might be asking yourself is which weight you need to buy. If you are just starting, you only need one kettlebell. For men, a good starting point is the 16kg kettlebell, and for women, 8kg is a good weight to start with.
You can then build up gradually as you progress. You will know when you need a heavier kettlebell when the level of effort you have to put on the workouts has significantly decreased.
However, if you are committed to using them regularly, you can start with 16kg, 18kg and 20kg kettlebells (men) or 8kg, 10kg and 12kg kettlebells (women).
In some instances, you can even save money by getting a set.
For instance, a lightweight set of kettlebells is a great value option for anyone just getting started with kettlebell workouts. Similarly, a heavy-weight pack can help you save some money if you are an experienced weight lifter looking for a challenge.
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Havy kettlebell pack 1 x 24,28 & 32KG bull kettlebell Add some extra dynamics to your home workouts and save money at the same time. The package includes 1 x 24, 28 and 32kg bull kettlebells. |
Material
These cast-iron kettlebells are a great option. They are far superior to cheap weights made of plastic or other materials. For a kettlebell to be a high-quality piece, it needs to have a finish that feels smooth but has enough texture to help your grip.
The best kettlebells pack the same weight into a smaller size than you’ll find with cheaper options. Quality cast-iron models have a smaller body than similarly priced plastic models, but with a large enough handle to let you perform two-handed kettlebell swings comfortably.
The price
Price and material often go hand in hand. Be careful with cheap kettlebells. Some of the cheapest ones will be made of plastic or might be covered in vinyl with a rubber bottom. If the handle doesn’t look right or it’s too small, they are not worth it. If they have very narrow handles, they’ll be nearly impossible to hold on to during exercises such as kettlebell swings and will be uncomfortable when you are doing snatches.
If you want consistency, good progression and form then get kettlebells that are cast-iron bells or even competition bells if you are serious about your workout.
Most weights of these premium competition bells are available, especially if you’re looking for one over 8kg. They’re costly, but these are top-class kettlebells, with consistent size of bell and handle across the set – useful if you take your practice seriously and are splashing out on more than one.
Competition kettlebells
If you want to go the whole hog, pick up a set of competition-class bells. These coloured cast-iron bells are top-notch. They are colour-coded to make it easy to grab the right one during a workout. Each weight is of the same dimensions removing the need to alter the way in which you perform your exercise when increasing or decreasing the weight.
The handle is smooth and allows for easy grip (33mm), with an excellent gloss finish these KB will make any gym or box look professional.
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Competition Kettlebells
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Comfortable handle
Besides the material, it is also important to see how the kettlebell has been built. In particular, you need to pay close attention to the handle.
That is because the exercises that you will be doing, such as kettlebell swings, cleans and snatches are repetitive. Therefore, you need a smooth and comfortable handle (but still textured enough to offer a good grip!). If the handle is too rough or has a seam going down the middle, it will soon become too uncomfortable.
The surface you hold must be even, especially underneath the handle. If you have a kettlebell with a noticeable seam that makes it uncomfortable to use, make sure you sand it down so it’s smooth.
Another important consideration is the handle size. It is important for the kettlebells to have a handle that is comfortable to hold in one hand or two. You need to check that its diameter gives you a comfortable hold. The kettlebell should sit comfortably in your hand and your wrist should be straight. A good kettlebell will have handle diameters of between 30-31mm. Competition kettlebells have a uniform handle diameter of 33mm regardless of the weight.
Conclusion
It may seem like there are innumerable things to consider when buying a kettlebell, but really it simply takes time to get used to like any kind of workout equipment. Stay safe when using new kinds of weights and remember to try and walk before you run. If you are new to kettlebells then don't extend yourself with a huge unwieldy kettlebell, start out with something smaller that can get you used to the movements.
Kettlebells are fantastic pieces of equipment but the first things you are going to need to know are the movements and routines you will be doing when using them. Look up what is recommended online, but ideally, you will want someone to show you how to use them so as to ensure that your form is correct. If you can not afford a personal trainer then watch clips and ask for advice at your gym.
At UKSF we provide a range of products to meet the needs of all potential users, from gym rat to newbie, we have you covered. Check out our range of weights, kettlebells and dumbells here.