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Mercey Livingston CNET Contributor
Mercey Livingston is a health and wellness writer and certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She's written about fitness and wellness for Well+Good, Women's Health, Business Insider, and Prevention.com among others. When not writing, she enjoys reading and trying out workout classes all over New York City.
Best kettlebell overall
Ziva Premium Virgin Rubber Solid Cast Steel Kettlebell
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Best kettlebells for beginners
Best Choice Products Three-Piece Kettlebell Weight Set
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Best kettlebells for experienced lifters
Apex Adjustable Heavy-Duty Kettlebell
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Best vinyl coated kettlebell
Powert Vinyl-Coated Cast-Iron Kettlebell Weight
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Best high-end kettlebell
JaxJox KettlebellConnect Adjustable Smart Kettlebell (Update: Out of stock)
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The dumbbell can be an important part of your home gym fitness equipment, but the kettlebell can be just as useful for your weight training, strength training and cardio workouts. The kettlebell has a bell-like form with a secure grip handle on top. It can come in different weights ranging from heavier weights to lighter weights. The best kettlebells range in size as well.
Although a single kettlebell can be an incredibly useful piece of exercise equipment, just one kettlebell can be a versatile workout equipment for the home gym and is often used in fitness and conditioning programs like CrossFit.
"The kettlebell is probably the most underrated piece of equipment in the gym," Lauren Kanski, a certified personal trainer and founding coach at the fitness app Ladder, previously told CNET. "The way the bell is shaped allows you to train power, endurance and strength all in one little piece of iron."
Kettlebells can add variety and challenge to your workout routine, whether you're looking to build strength in your core muscles and glutes, get in some cardio or a combination of both. Kettlebells are not the same as your average set of dumbbells, so before you buy one, consider what weight you need for your kettlebell exercise and check out the list below for our picks on the best kettlebell options for 2024.
What is the best kettlebell overall?
The best kettlebell is the Ziva Premium Virgin Rubber Solid Cast Steel Kettlebell. Its weight ranges and style make it versatile for the advanced and for beginners.
The Ziva premium kettlebell comes in a wide variety of weight increments (from 5 to 50 pounds) making it a great quality kettlebell for beginners or more advanced exercisers. Working out at home and worried about damaging your floors? This kettlebell has a rubber coating so you don't have to worry about slamming it down too hard between sets during your kettlebell workout.
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This kettlebell set is great for beginners since it comes with three lighter kettlebell choices (weighing 5, 10 and 15 pounds). If you're new to working out, you probably aren't sure exactly how much weight you can handle yet, so you need size options. With this kettlebell set, you'll have multiple weights to experiment with when you exercise. Plus you get a weight rack to store them on.
This adjustable cast iron kettlebell is a great pick for advanced exercisers or those who already lift weights and want to be able to progress with their kettlebell weight quickly. The kettlebell handle on its own is 15 pounds and it comes with different weight options that let you adjust it up to 50 pounds. It doesn't look like your classic, round kettlebell and this cast-iron kettlebell is not coated in vinyl or rubber, but it will satisfy the needs of someone looking for an advanced kettlebell with no frills when doing a kettlebell squat, kettlebell lifting, kettlebell deadlift or other kettlebell training moves.
Most standard kettlebell styles are cast iron kettlebell models, so if you don't love the idea of iron kettlebells or that metal feel on your hands and want more grip, try a coated kettlebell for your kettlebell workout. This kettlebell from Powert has a coated handle and the base is covered in vinyl, making it less susceptible to rust or corrosion in addition to a different grip feel.
If you're OK with dropping considerable cash on a kettlebell, consider the JaxJox Smart Kettlebell. The weight can be adjusted from 12 to 42 pounds for a heavier kettlebell in seconds; you place it on the digital console and enter the weight you want and it automatically adjusts for you. There's also a compatible app that can give you tips and workout advice and it can keep track of your workouts and reps.
Kettlebell workouts include a lot of different movements besides just lifting them. Just because you can lift 15 to 20 pounds doesn't necessarily mean you'll be able to easily swing that around in your workout space. In general, when you're weight training, you'll use a lighter weight for lifting the bell above your head and a heavier weight for other exercise moves. Here are some things to consider when purchasing kettlebells:
Beginners
If you've never worked with kettlebells before, you'll want to ease your way into it until you've learned the technique to the movements. Below are the recommended kettlebell weights if you're new to this piece of equipment.
- 8 to 10 kilograms (about 17 to 22 pounds) for workouts that involve any overhead movements.
- 10 to 14 kilograms (22 to 30 pounds) if you want to learn how to do a kettlebell swing.
Intermediate and advanced
If you've dabbled in kettlebell training before and feel comfortable with them, then you're considered more advanced. Below are the kettlebell weights to consider if you are intermediate or advanced.
- 12 to 24 kilograms (26 to 52 pounds) for any workout that involves lifting it overhead.
- 24 to 32 kilograms (52 to 70 pounds) for kettlebell swings.
Other things to consider include the material the kettlebell is made of. Kettlebells can be made of cast iron or steel. Some come with a rubber or vinyl coating.
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This list was curated based on the different types of kettlebells that are on the market, their materials and if they're appropriate for beginners or more advanced users.
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Are rubber-coated kettlebells better?
Rubber-coated kettlebells can be preventative from causing chips and scuffing on the kettlebell. They also make less noise when you drop them. This is ideal if you live in a space like an apartment where you have to be mindful of noise control.
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What are the disadvantages to kettlebells?
Kettlebells require proper technique before moving up to heavier weights. Having improper technique can lead to injury. If you're interested in learning how to use kettlebells, its encouraged to have a trainer with kettlebell experience to coach and guide you.
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Is it better to have two kettlebells?
Having two kettlebells is helpful for making exercises more challenging and can help you build more strength. Having one kettlebell is helpful when you're a beginner and can challenge each side of the body at a time.
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