Saved by the bell

7 min read

We’ve rounded up five of our favourite kettlebells to row, twist, swing and squat your way to full-body, functional fitness at home

If you’re looking to get fit and build full-body strength at home, the versatile, space-saving kettlebell should be high on your list. It’s a relatively cheap piece of kit that’s good for everything from smashing leg day and building upper-body strength, to heartpumping HIIT sessions and even recovery and mobility work.

Swing to win

When it comes to home workouts, kettlebells bring big benefits. They are versatile, space-efficient and great for building full-body fitness. They are ideal for swings, cleans and snatches, too – where they’re more comfortable to use than dumbbells and safer than barbells.

Because you’ll often use them unilaterally, in ways that involve holding them at odd angles to your body, they are also excellent for teaching your body to ‘resist’ force, building the anti-rotational strength that is key to long-term health. Finally, because they’re suited to very high reps, kettlebells are excellent for torching through calories and ultimately burning body fat.

If that sounds like something you want to invest in, then there are a few things you’ll want to consider when you’re looking for the best kettlebells to buy…

What to look for

The handle is critical: it should be wide enough to comfortably grip with two hands, with a smooth, comfortable texture that won’t irritate your hands after dozens of reps. Ideally, you’ll also want a kettlebell that sits comfortably against your forearm during swings or snatches – big and round is the key, but also look for a flat bottom so it stands easily.

Kettlebells can be made of cast iron, steel or even plastic. Cast iron kettlebells are the most durable and provide the best grip. Steel kettlebells are often coated in vinyl or rubber, which can help protect floors and reduce noise. Plastic kettlebells tend to be cheaper, but can also be the least durable. There are also softer water or sand-filled options, like the Reax Fluikettle.

Competition-style kettlebells are popular. They’re all the same size, regardless of the weight. That makes it easier to maintain consistency as you progress up the weights. They also tend to have smaller handles to avoid sliding, and they’re a joy to swing.

When it comes to choosing weights, it’s important to consider your fitness level and goals. If you’re a beginner, start with a lighter weight of around 8-12kg. If you’re more advanced, you may want to go heavier – up to 32kg (mainly for lower-body movements) or more. As an all-round option, 16kg is probably the best bet. You might find it a bit light when you get used to swings and squats, but it’ll also let you do a load of pressing variations and high-rep snatches.

Wolverson Competition

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