The Best Workout Kettlebells

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Top Pick

Building a home gym? Getting started with kettlebells workouts or looking to upgrade your equipment? You’ll find many options available, but what makes for the best kettlebells?

To enjoy your kettlebell workouts, there are important elements to consider. We’ll explain what makes a good kettlebell and review the best ones available.

The Best Kettlebells - Our Top Picks

We’ve put together a list of the best kettlebells for you to review.

1. Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebells

This 10-pound kettlebell might be perfect for beginners or anyone looking to perfect their form.

As you gain experience, weights are available up to 50 pounds.

The wide handle is suitable for two-handed workouts. The standard thickness of the handle will allow for a firm grip and should fit most hands.

The PVC-coated body will protect your floor and reduce the noise when placed—or dropped—on the floor.

  • Wide handle.
  • The handle thickness: 1.14 inches.
  • Wide range of weight available.
  • Premium powdered-coated cast iron handle.
  • Cost-efficient.
  • 1-year warranty.
  • Metallic pieces seem to stick out, making it rough on hands.

2. Rep Kettlebells

This 13-pound kettlebell has been designed to last. Made of a single cast iron piece, it shows a high-end matte black powder coat.

This kettlebell should fit any fitness lover, specifically those who appreciate heavy duty and durable equipment. Professionals will even be able to acquire a 106-pound kettlebell.

The color-coded bands make them easy to differentiate one another in weight.

  • High-end coating ensuring a smooth grip.
  • Made of a single iron cast.
  • Color-coded handles.
  • Durable.
  • Wide enough for two-handed workouts.
  • Thinner handle than other kettlebells.
  • Customer service based in the United States.
  • The handle can be a bit narrow for larger hands.
  • Rusts easily.

3. Kettlebell Weights Vinyl Coated Iron by Day 1 Fitness

This kettlebell is made from solid cast iron. Covered with a vinyl layer, it’s great for those with sensible neighbors; no worrying about the noise from dropping the kettlebells.

It’s been sanded to ensure a smooth and comfortable grip. This 30-pound kettlebell should be ideal for leg workouts, including swings.

The space between the body and the handle is slightly smaller than the norm. To ensure a comfortable workout, check if your fist can fit in the space.

  • High-quality material.
  • Non-chip finish.
  • Handle thickness: 1.4 inches.
  • Space between the handle and the body: 1.8 inches.
  • Customer service located in the United States.
  • The heaviest weight available is 50 pounds.

4. AmazonBasics Vinyl Kettlebell

Weighing 60 pounds, this kettlebell is suitable for kettlebell swings, lunges, squats or deadlifts. This weight should satisfy experienced ‘kettlebellers’ able to handle heavy weights.

Heavy kettlebells tend to be noisy when dropped after a set. The vinyl coating will help reduce the sound. Preventing corrosion, the vinyl also makes it more durable.

The handle is wide and textured; perfect for two-handed use. This makes the grip comfortable and safe while handling such a heavy weight.

  • Made of cast iron.
  • The vinyl cover will protect your floor.
  • Wide handle.
  • Textured but smooth grip.
  • Weights available from 10 to 60 pounds.
  • The handle can be rougher than first expected.

A Buying guide to Kettlebells

Nine Things to Consider When Buying Kettlebells

The right kettlebell can make or break your workout. Here are some key elements to consider.

1. Weight

Typically, lighter weights are great for beginners or anyone recovering from an injury. You can always ensure that your form is good before adding more weight.

To pick the right weight, it’s important to consider which exercise you’ll be performing with the kettlebell. You might be able to do a swing or squat with a 50-pound kettlebell. It might, however, be more challenging doing curls or upper body workouts with this weight.

For beginners, an 18 or 32-pound kettlebell should be a good start. If you’ve been training for some time, you might want to push to 44 or 52 pounds.

Typically, investing in three different weights might be a good idea. One to warm up, one to proceed with your regular exercises and the last weight for larger muscle groups.

2. Handle

Ensure that you have enough space between the handle and the kettlebell (ideally 2.2 inches). Too small and you’ll hurt your hands, too large and the kettlebell will dig into your arm.

A good handle should allow for a firm grip. Your fingers should be able to fully wrap around the handle. Look for a handle about 1.4 inches thick.

Competition kettlebells are meant for single hand workouts. If you’re looking to grab the kettlebell with two hands, choose a wider handle.

The handle should be smooth and comfortable enough so that you don’t need to wear gloves. Hundreds of repetitions can build calluses.

3. Shape

To the inexperienced eye, all kettlebells have the same shape. On closer inspection, however, you’ll notice that some come in a ball shape. These types of kettlebells are best to be avoided. They’d dig into your forearm as you’re doing an overhead press or a kettlebell snatch.

4. Types

Let’s now explore the different types of kettlebells you’ll find while shopping around.

5. Cast Iron Kettlebells

These are the preferred kettlebells for any non-professionals.

They’re made of a single piece of metal—cast iron or steel—and should last you for a long time. You can easily identify them as they’re the only ones that are black all over.

Rubber, powder coating and e-coating handles are more durable and therefore preferable.

6. Cast Iron Kettlebells With Vinyl Coating

The kettlebell’s body and part of the handle are often found covered with a vinyl coating.

The coating prevents corrosion and reduces noise as you’re dropping them. They tend to, however, cover-up lower quality metal. Metallic pieces can stick out making your workout more painful than it needs to be.

7. Competition Kettlebells

Competition kettlebells’ handles are narrower and are meant to be used with only one hand. They’re characterized by their single size. A 60-pound kettlebell won’t be any bigger than a 20-pound one.

These are the higher-end spectrum of kettlebells and so also are also more costly.

8. Plastic Kettlebells

This type of kettlebell is best to be avoided. They might appear stylish for beginners but are often filled with sand rather than metal.

The handles tend to be very slippery and not fully rounded.

9. Kettlebells Bases

Kettlebells with round bases are convenient to avoid marks and scratches on your floor. It’s best to avoid this type of kettlebell though, as they’d dig into your arms during workouts.

The Most Popular Kettlebell Exercises

Here are some popular workouts to consider and are great for amateurs and pros:

The halo warm up:

The two-handed swing:

Goblet squat:

The Turkish get-up:

Clean and press:

The snatch:

Kettlebell row:

Reverse lunge:

Plank row:

Whole-body exercise (squat, clean press, and swing):

Conclusion

Kettlebells are great workout tools. They’re easy to manipulate and can be used on all muscle groups. From 5 to 106 pounds, they suit all levels, from beginners to professionals. To avoid injury, it’s important to select the adapted weight to your level.

We love the Yes4All Kettlebells. They’re affordable and made of a sturdy cast iron material. The PVC coating will avoid noise complaints from neighbors. The wide handle allows for use with one or both hands. The textured handle should provide a firm but smooth grip. Chalk and gloves will remain in the closet!