Best Kettlebell Reviews 2018

Avoid buying cheap kettle bells as they tend to be light weight and slippery to hold. You don’t want to lose your grip in the middle of a swing and have your kettle bell go flying through the air!

Kettle bells range from about $20 all the way up to $250. Basically, the heavier you go up the weight-chain, the more expensive the kettle bell is. You might find a cheap kettle bell for under $20, but it’ll probably be super-lightweight for a kettle bell, i.e. under 15 pounds, so your strength gains would be limited. As kettle bells are generally incorporated into your fitness routine once you go beyond the basics of weight training, a good starting weight tends to be between 15-20 pounds. For example, you might spend $20-$30 on a 15-pound kettle bell. If your busting out the guns and need a heavier weight to work with, you might spend around $150 for a 70-pound kettle bell, but it varies depending on the brand and retailer.

A good kettle bell should look like a cannon ball with a handle bar on it. It’s a portable lean-mean strength-building machine that when used properly, really helps you take your workout to the next level and increases your explosive strength.

Here are some of the more important features to look for when purchasing a kettle bell:

• Weight
• Seamless construction
• No-slip handle
• Flat-bottomed for stability
• Weather-proofing to eliminate corrosion
• Bonus instructional video
• Wide or regular handle grip
• Optional adjustable kettle bell models

If you plan to buy a few kettle bells in varying weight classes (which is recommended), you should look out for color markings to identify the weight of each kettle bell at a glance.

The construction material should provide a firm, tactile grip so the bell doesn’t slip from your hands. Because kettle bells are often grasped by the base as well as the handle, a good kettle bell usually has a textured, matte finish on the base for a secure grip. The overall design should allow for a two-handed grip, but be narrow enough to pass between the legs comfortably.

Most people prefer a set of kettle bells in varying weight ranges, so that the weight selection is appropriate for each exercise. Some kettle bell moves incorporate large muscle groups like the swing, and some isolate smaller muscle groups like skull crushers for the tricep muscles. Many brands use color-coding in the design to help identify the weight of the kettle bell you are using easily. If you like the classic look, then just go for a set of black or gun-metal gray kettle bells, and take an extra second or two to check the weight each time you switch-up an exercise.

For those looking for more modest weight and want to save a few coins by purchasing a kettle bell with adjustable weights, there are brands that offer that option too.

There are a myriad of kettle bell exercises, and many require excellent form to execute safely and effectively. Some kettle bells are sold with instructional DVD’s, which can be a nice bonus. At the very least take some time to Youtube proper kettle bell techniques, or hire a personal trainer to show you the ropes.

Seamless construction is ideal to avoid chafing when you switch hand positions. A rough texture on the base will make the kettle bell safe to handle when gripping it from the bottom, and is highly recommended.

Here’s a tip: If you want to add some pizzazz to your push-ups with a chest and shoulder-enhancing version that is MUCH harder than traditional push-ups, get a matching set of heavy flat-bottomed kettle-bells (20+ pounds). Hold the handles with a firm-locked grip, dipping below ground-level for each push-up to boost your pec and upper-body strength. It will triple your strength level and hit your abs quite nicely!

Now let’s get into a few of our top kettle bell choices…