Kettlebell Buying Guide

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Unsurprisingly, kettlebell training has grown in popularity over the years. Whole workouts can easily be based around this highly versatile piece of equipment, whether training in the gym or at home. This versatility is why you'll find kettlebell elements in Hyrox, CrossFit and almost every type of class imaginable.

Kettlebells are extremely popular. Effective for building functional fitness, strength, and muscle mass, they are excellent all-around fitness tools. But what style suits your training needs, and what works best for kitting out a commercial facility?

With so many options, purchasing the right kettlebell can be overwhelming especially if you're investing in a good set. This is why we created this kettlebell buying guide to help you make an informed decision before purchasing. In today's blog, we wanted to cover these questions so you can make an informed decision.

man lifting kettlebell gym group

What Are Kettlebells Good For?
Kettlebell Types
Cast Iron Kettlebell
Rubber Kettlebell
Urethane Kettlebell
Competition Kettlebell
Choose a Kettlebell Based On These Factors
Summary
Conclusion
FAQ
Storing Kettlebells
Best Type of Kettlebell
What Kettlebell Size To Choose
Kettlebells vs Free Weights

What Are Kettlebells Good For?

The kettlebell is one of the best tools for developing functional strength, core strength, power, and endurance. It is effective because it requires the use of many different muscles, which helps improve functional ability with mobility and agility.

Whether it’s swings or Turkish get-ups, kettlebells help train the whole body, including the core, shoulders, legs, and arm muscles. They can also be a great way to increase grip strength, which is key in many different exercises.

Often, exercises fail due to a lack of grip strength, as opposed to the exercise being too difficult or the muscle group being fatigued. Kettlebells are an all-rounder as they can be swung, lifted, pushed, and held in various positions.

Design plays a large role in the experience of using this piece of equipment, so choose the right size and shape and ensure the kettlebell has suitable handles and is fit for purpose.

Kettlebell Types

Choosing the right number of kettlebells for a site can be challenging, depending on the use. If this were for a home gym, we would recommend having three different-sized weights, getting incrementally heavier— something like owning 8kg, 16kg, and 24kg kettlebells.

We would advise having at least two sets for members in commercial sites, but it could be worth having more depending on the facility type. Sites focussing on HIIT Studios or CrossFit Boxes will want more equipment available for their workout types to ensure all members have access to equipment.

When deciding which sets to choose there are four main types of kettlebells: Cast Iron, Rubber, Urethane, and Competition. Each has pros and cons for why a site would choose to stock it. In this section, we'll dive into why each one might be right for a facility.

Cast Iron Kettlebell

Cast iron kettlebells are considered the industry's most 'classic' style. They are the original style and are typically moulded from a single piece of metal. This makes them affordable and offers the best value for money. When purchasing a cast iron model, it is worth checking that it is moulded from a single piece of metal.

Cheaper versions tend to have the handle welded to the body of the bell, which significantly reduces the level of use it can withstand. Avoid the plastic-style variety, if possible, as these won’t be comfortable to use in the hands and are poor quality compared to basic cast iron models. Further, the low price point makes them popular to purchase in multiples.

The downside of cast iron is that it can be noisy and does not feature a protective layer. This can be especially noticeable in group classes where multiple people place it down simultaneously. However, this style is extremely durable and long-lasting, making it a great starting point in any gym.

Main takeaway: These kettlebells are perfect if you want to purchase a wide range of weights at an affordable price point. Perfect for sites just starting out that need kettlebells for their classes but don’t want to invest in more expensive models just yet.

Rubber Kettlebell

Chrome handles on rubber-coated kettlebells are particularly stylish and are very popular in the modern gym environment. The chrome finish makes the handles perfectly smooth, offers a comfortable grip, and is also very easy to sanitise.

However, those training with heavier weights often find the smooth chrome surface harder to grip than the rougher texture of cast iron or competition models. This may result in the user's inability to perform reps to the best of their ability due to hand slippage, which might require chalk use with heavier sizes.

Main takeaway: Rubber-coated models are a great choice if you prefer a comfortable grip with a contemporary design. These have a stylish look that would fit on any commercial site. The only downside might be slippage potential at heavier weights.

Urethane Kettlebell

For a site full of kettlebell enthusiasts looking to invest in quality, a Urethane Kettlebell might be the best option. These are some of the highest-quality kettlebells available, made of odourless urethane that won’t mark flooring or other equipment.

Urethane tends to be the standard choice for high-use gym facilities. The layer surrounding the core is strong and incredibly shock-absorbent. This is great for the kettlebell as it keeps it looking fresh instead of showing wear like many cheaper models.

These kettlebells are perfect for strength training and cardio-based workouts. Their sleek dark grey design evokes quality and will fit effortlessly into any gym environment. However, the handles might rust more easily and not be as easy to hold at heavier weights.

Main takeaway: The urethane-coated model is the best choice if you want durability. Favoured for busy facilities, urethane kettlebells are built to last, so sites won't have to worry about needing to replace them for a long time. The odourless material won't mark gym flooring and will wear well over time.

Competition Kettlebell

Competition kettlebells are unique in that they are all a standard size and shape regardless of the weight. The reason for this is so that athletes in competition don’t gain any advantage over their competitors.

This size consistency is achieved by hollowing out the centre of the lightest kettlebells. This allows the distance between the base and the handle to remain consistent, meaning competitors don’t have to adjust technique when increasing weight.

Away from competition lifters, this model is a great choice for members who have already developed a good technique. The wide base is also perfect for performing floor-based exercises. However, it is not the best model for double-handed exercises because the handle shape is narrow compared to non-competition bells.

Competition styles, made from steel, are often called "pro" quality. Being the same size makes these kettlebells a great choice for learning movements as technique doesn’t need to change based on a bigger kettlebell, only thing that increases is the weight.

Main takeaway: Choose the competition range if you want to help members train in highly technical movements, such as snatch. These kettlebells are great for members already at an advanced lifting stage but might not suit everyone. When purchasing a set of competition kettlebells, consider stocking up on another type of kettlebell to give members more options.

Choose a Kettlebell Based On These Factors

Deciding on a kettlebell can lead to more questions regarding the most important factors. We recommend looking into the following areas before making a decision about which kettlebell is right for a facility:

Kettlebell Considerations
Feature	Reason
Handle Size	The handle should be comfortable and give enough grip regardless of the weight. It shouldn’t be too thick or narrow, as this might make the kettlebell difficult to use.
Coating/Finish	Urethane or Powder Coating is the gold standard and the best option for long-lasting equipment. Both help to prevent rust and protect equipment.
Casting	Look for models featuring single casting, which is when the kettlebell is made from one solid piece of metal. This makes the kettlebell far less likely to break, which is why we advise avoiding plastic kettlebells.
Quality	Price isn’t everything, but a higher-quality kettlebell will likely cost a little bit more. Urethane kettlebells, specifically, are higher priced as the material is more expensive but the benefit of investing in kettlebells made of urethane is that they will last longer and not wear so quickly.
Design	Choose models that aren’t completely round. Kettlebells should have a flat base and sides, as this will make storing them far easier and make using them more comfortable when held against the side of the body or arm. No one wants equipment to dig into them when lifting.

Summary

Based on today’s discussion, we recommend choosing one of the following options for your facility. Here’s a neat little summary of everything we discussed today:

Cast Iron: Offers an affordable price point and will suit most facilities.
Rubber: Stylish and has a comfortable grip
Urethane: High quality and great for commercial gym facilities
Competition: Best for technical training

Conclusion

Deciding which kettlebells to choose should be a bit clearer following the content in this blog. We’ve also added a helpful FAQ below to try and answer some of the most common questions we receive about kettlebells. If you’re still left with lingering questions get in touch with our team today on 0131 526 3770 or email at [email protected].

FAQ

Storing Kettlebells

It’s best to store kettlebells in a secure storage unit to keep equipment secure rather than leaving them on the floor. Most designs are fairly standard, using tiered flat-shelf designs that stop the kettlebells from rolling off the front of the side. We have a great option with our Origin 2 Tier Kettlebell Rack, a compact solution providing enough storage space for up to 10 kettlebells.

The Best Kettlebell Type

There is no one best type of kettlebell, but we think the rubber, competition, or cast iron options are great. Cast iron might be best if you're looking to keep costs lower, whereas rubber would offer a more stylish finish on-site. It comes down to preference, use case, and what is needed from the kettlebells.

What Kettlebell Size To Choose

Most will recommend that women choose between 6kg and 12kg, depending on strength levels, and that men choose between 12 kg and 16 kg, but these are only rough estimates. Choosing the right kettlebell comes down to strength and experience using them; start with a lighter weight to figure out where strength currently sits before progressing on to heavier weights. The right size will also depend on the exercise, as doing a Turkish Get-Up will be more difficult than doing a deadlift.

Kettlebells vs Dumbbells

While many of the same movements can be performed, there are some distinct advantages to using a kettlebell over free weights. While both can be used for full-body workouts, kettlebells can engage many different muscle groups in one go with swings, cleans, and snatches. They're also great for increasing grip strength, leading to greater forearm and grip strength. Lastly, kettlebells are better for functional fitness, mimicking real-life movements like lifting, carrying, and swinging.