Kettlebells are all the rage at the moment and people from all walks of life and training systems are adapting them into their training protocols. And for good reason too.
Kettlebell training is one of the best ways to increase your power and functional strength. All without having to spend tons of money on equipment and make room for huge pieces of kit like power racks and olympic barbells and benches, etc.
All you need is one kettlebell and you can perform tons of different exercises and training routines. Just one kettlebell is all you need! Obviously, it’s better if you have a full set so that you have light bells as well as heavy ones, but you can also buy a mid-weight kettlebell that you can grow into and then use for more endurance based workouts.
Kettlebells are one of the best ways to build strength in the posterior chain. The posterior chain is incredibly important in all sports but especially so in BJJ and MMA. As much as technique is paramount, you do need to have the structural strength to force yourself up off of the mat and to take opponents down. The kettlebell is one of the most effective and efficient ways to build said strength.
Best Kettlebells Reviewed
Whenever anything becomes popular, many lacklustre companies prop up to jump on the bandwagon with their inferior products. We’ve done the hard work for you and sifted through the deluge to find the best five kettlebells on the market.
Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebell
One of the best things about these kettlebells from Yes4All is that they’re coated in vinyl. The uncoated, cast iron look is a great aesthetic when you’re going for a hardcore, old-school look to your gear. But if you’re concerned about noise or your flooring, they might not be the best choice. Cast Iron bells can be loud when they clang together and can damage flooring and walls if you like to throw your gear about a bit.
The vinyl coating also gives the bell another layer of protection to keep the bell intact and durable for as long as possible.
The Yes4All Vinyl kettlebell is a great piece of kit for anyone wanting to get started with kettlebell training but doesn’t want to make a big financial investment to do so.
Yes4All Solid Cast Iron Kettlebell
This kettlebell is built to last. If you like your training to gear to be as tough and sturdy and durable as it can possibly be, then this is the one for you. It’s made of solid cast iron with no welds or weak spots; you don’t have to worry about the bottom of the bell flying off at the top of the movement.
Despite being painted in a black paint finish, the paint is matte rather than glossy to allow you to grip the kettlebell as firmly as possible. Glossy finishes can sometimes be dangerous as your hands can slip, especially when you inevitably become sweaty during the workout.
Rep Fitness Individual Kettlebells and Kettlebell Sets
- Build Strength, Power, and Endurance: Rep Fitness kettlebells are hands down one of the most versatile pieces of equipment. They’re perfect for build strength, endurance, and flexibility, while...
- Grip With Comfort: Rep Fitness kettlebells feature a lightly textured black powder-coated handle. The unique coating is designed to provide enough grip for the most grueling workouts without damaging...
- Built to Last: Rep Fitness kettlebells are single cast for maximum durability. No welded handles here! Each weight is color coded with a ring at the base of each handle, and the bottoms of each bell...
- Designed in Denver, CO: Rep Fitness is a full-service equipment company based in Denver, Colorado. We carry a complete line of strength and conditioning equipment including benches, barbells, racks,...
Rep Fitness provide the biggest range of kettlebells weights/sizes than any other product on our list. You can choose from kettlebells as light as 2.2 pounds, all the way up to a mammoth 106 pound kettlebell. Stamina and endurance workouts as well as heavy strength workouts can be had here.
If you’d like to buy kettlebells as a set rather than individually then you can do so also. Rep Fitness offer sets with a wide variety of different weights so you have both something to work up to as well as different tools for different kinds of workouts. They even do a set that gives you identically weighted pairs so you can use two equally weighted bells at the same time.
A great product for both new trainers and experienced trainers alike.
Cap Barbell Enamel Coated Cast Iron Kettlebell
- VERSATILE – Kettlebells offer the ability to target specific muscle group exercises or a full body workout.
- CONSTRUCTION – Made of solid high-quality cast iron with no weld, no seam casting and coated in an industrial powder coated finish for enduring protection.
- FEATURES – Generous wide opening handle ensures a comfortable, secure grip with one hand or two. The flat bottom allows for easy, safe storage and the ability to be used in specific flat bottom...
- FUNCTIONAL – Perfect for swings, deadlifts, squats, get-ups, snatches and other athletic or cross training workouts.
- CHOICES – This kettlebell group from CAP is available in sizes from 5 lb to 50 lb in 5 lb increments and from 60 lb to 80 lb in 10 lb increments.
Cap Barbell have produced a solid range of kettlebells in a nice variety of weights to choose from. If you’re only purchasing one, it’s a good idea to get a medium weighted kettlebell. It might be too heavy in the beginning to do endurance or time based workouts with it but you will get stronger and be able to work up to it. Better to go slightly too heavy to start with and have the option of both endurance and strength workouts then going too light and outgrowing it too quickly.
All kettlebells from Cap Barbell are coated in a smooth and sleek enamel coating to prevent both structural and superficial damage from occurring. The handle is also reinforced with steel so that it stays strong and secure with long term use.
Cap Barbell Cast Iron Kettlebell
- VERSATILE – Kettlebells offer the ability to target specific muscle group exercises or a full body workout.
- CONSTRUCTION – Made of solid high-quality cast iron with no weld, no seam casting and coated in an industrial enamel paint for enduring protection.
- FEATURES – Generous wide opening handle ensures a comfortable, secure grip with one hand or two. The flat bottom allows for easy, safe storage and the ability to be used in specific flat bottom...
- FUNCTIONAL – Perfect for swings, deadlifts, squats, get-ups, snatches and other athletic or cross training workouts.
- CHOICES – This kettlebell group from CAP is available in sizes from 5 lb. to 50 lb. in 5 lb. increments and from 60 lb. to 80 lb. in 10 lb. increments.
A lot of people prefer the look and feel of pure iron when using or buying weight equipment. The feel of raw iron in your hand is one that can’t easily be replicated and it gives this kettlebell a feel of authenticity.
The bell has been painted black to protect it from rust and the elements but you still can see the iron beneath it. This paint means you can use it outside without worrying about it rusting, eroding or otherwise falling apart.
The textured, wide handle grip gives you unparalleled grip and support and more than ample room for two hands for all the two-handed movements that are commonplace with kettlebell training.
Overall
Kettlebells aren’t just a fad or a phrase. They’re here to stay. No other piece of training equipment can work your posterior chain as safely and effectively as a kettlebell can. If you’re not training with them, you’re missing out.
Strength, power, muscular endurance, stamina, cardiovascular health. Kettlebells can improve all of these in the same workout.