The Best Kettlebells

Adding a kettlebell to your home gym is also a smart choice because it can give you results without it taking up much space in your home at all.

Buying Guide for Kettlebells

Why should you buy a kettlebell?

Kettlebells are known to improve overall strength, core power, and cardiovascular endurance, which means they’re a great tool for losing fat while sculpting muscle tone.

Kettlebells can be used in various exercises, making them an excellent addition to your home gym. Of course, they can be used for full-body movements to increase power and endurance, but they can also be used in a more isolated approach, like for upper body, core exercises, and lower body movements.

Their versatility and convenience are hard to match, especially in relation to the amount of space it takes up in a home gym setting. Kettlebells are much more compact than barbell racks or power towers but can still give you a good workout.

What should you consider when purchasing a kettlebell?

• Weight: Kettlebells typically range in weight from 5 pounds all the way up to the triple digits. Their weight increases in either 5- or 10-pound increments, depending on the brand. Lighter weights are best used for isolated movements, while heavier weights can be used for full-body exercises.
• Coating: Kettlebells are made from cast iron, making them solid and almost indestructible. While some brands let the rugged cast iron shine, others cover their kettlebells with protective coatings like vinyl or neoprene. Coatings can help make gripping the kettlebell much more manageable. They’re also helpful in protecting the floors and reducing noise.

How often should you use a kettlebell in your training program?

A kettlebell can be used every time you work out if you want, but you don’t have to do the same exercise with it each day. Since the kettlebell is a versatile piece of equipment, you can use it for full-body power movements one day, then for isolated strength training the next day, etc.; there are many options. Grab your weightlifting shoes and make some gains!

Our Picks for the Best Kettlebells

Pros: This solid cast iron kettlebell with a wide and smooth handle helps your grip stay comfortable even for a high volume of reps. It has a vinyl coating to reduce noise and protect your surfaces. Its flat bottom provides more stability for exercises like pushups, handstands, and renegade rows.

Cons: If you have multiple weights, it’s not easy to distinguish between them quickly.

Bottom Line: These kettlebells come in increments of 5 pounds, making it possible for almost anyone to find a weight that will help them achieve their goals safely.

 

Pros: These kettlebells are made of solid cast iron for a no-frills and high-performance workout. The powder coating prevents corrosion and also helps provide a better grip even when you’re sweaty during your kettlebell flows. Each weight has color-coded rings for easy identification in addition to the engraved labels. The bottom of these kettlebells is flat, which makes storing them easy and allows for more exercise varieties. The handles are wide and slightly textured for a comfortable grip, even with high repetitions.

Cons: The powder coating is not as high-quality as other options, so these may show wear faster.

Bottom Line: These competition-style kettlebells are an affordable option with quality features. The solid cast iron build is without seams, making them a more durable choice. Powder coating prevents corrosion; however, this finish is not as high-quality as some other options on the market, so you should still be mindful of how well you care for your equipment.

 

Pros: With an easy and quick turn of a dial, you can adjust your kettlebell weight from 8 pounds to 40. Instead of buying six different kettlebells, this one can be adjusted to the weight you need for whatever movements are in your workout. How convenient!

Cons: The design is bulky and inhibits maneuverability for some kettlebell exercises. This may limit the variety of exercises you’re able to do and can also cause a safety issue. The handle is not shaped with a bowed-out design, making it uncomfortable for both hands to grip at once.

Bottom Line: This is a great option for single-handed (or unilateral) strength training. Since the adjustable kettlebell can save space, it’s a nice addition to a small home gym.

 

Pros: If you’re looking for a variety of weight increments so you can do several different exercises, this set is a great choice. Each kettlebell is made of solid cast iron, then covered in color-coded vinyl to protect it. The flat bottoms also have a special platform to make them safe to store on a variety of surfaces with extra stability. This set includes weights ranging from 5-30 pounds.

Cons: The quality of the base is not high-end, and for some users, it came off or affected their workouts in a negative way.

Bottom Line: This kettlebell set is great for someone who requires multiple weights to meet their goals. The cast iron and vinyl coating are quality features for a kettlebell.

 

Pros: Each kettlebell is made of solid cast iron and coated with vinyl to protect the weight from rugged use. You can choose a weight from 10-60 pounds, and each weight has a different color for easy recognition. The handle is textured for a better grip, and the weight has a flat bottom for greater stability during workouts.

Cons: The handle, even with heavier weights, can be narrow for some users, especially when using two hands. The handles can also become slick, especially if you are sweaty.

Bottom Line: These kettlebells feature quality components like solid cast iron and durable vinyl coating that can help the kettlebells perform at their best, even for the long term. The color-coded weight increments make them easy to identify when you have more than one in your home gym. While the handle is textured, it can still become slick when you’re sweaty, so be careful.

Final Thoughts

Increase overall strength, cardio endurance, and muscle tone with these versatile kettlebells. This single piece of equipment is not only affordable but compact to easily fit in a home gym.