Endlessly versatile and brutally efficient, the kettlebell deserves a spot in every man’s fitness arsenal. We’ve found the best buys for any budget
MH WINNER
Kettlebells first earned an underground following in the late 90s, among fitness coaches who’d heard they were the training weapons of choice for the Russian special forces. Today, you can find them in most gym chains. And yet, despite their ubiquity, they’re still viewed by many as specialist tools. Not so: you can sub in a KB for pretty much all of your go-to dumbbell moves. Plus, they’re even more effective in explosive training – think cleans, snatches, swings – teaching your muscles to work in harmony to control momentum. Oh, and they’re king for fat loss, too.
You can reap these rewards pretty quickly: one US study found that kettlebell training improved participants’ aerobic capacity, dynamic balance and core strength by as much as 70% in just eight weeks*.
But not all are created equal. Different weights suit different movements, which is why each of these bells is adjustable, allowing you to select from a range of options while keeping your lifting zone clutter-free. Our experts in the MH Lab put 10 models to the test to pick out our top five contenders, from budget buys to the fully speccedout. Let’s get into the swing of things, shall we?
01 HEAVY WEIGHT
98/100
Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell, £179.99, onbuy.com
Performance
Design
Ease of use
SWING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING: Our champ provides six weight options from 3.5kg to 18kg, catering to bodybuilding sets and full-body blasts alike. You can switch the resistance with a twist of the dial, making easy work of supersets and circuits that require a variety of weights. Unused plates remain in the dock, keeping your workout space tidy. EXPERT VERDICT: Our testers rated the Bowflex for a broad mix of movements, including RDLs, loaded carries, windmills and the Turkish get-up. The ergonomic handle was comfy and the bell easy to manoeuvre, despite its bulky size.
02 TECH SUPPORT
87/100
JaxJox Adjustable KettlebellConnect 2.0, £170, decathlon.co.uk
Performance
Design
Ease of use
FUTURISTIC FITNESS: One for the data geeks. This clever model lets you select weights from 5.5kg to 19kg at the touch of a button. You can track reps and sets, and follow workouts (useful for newbies) via the JaxJox app. Just remember to charge it before each session. EXPERT VERDICT: Despite its techy features, the JaxJox was a cinch to set up and changing the load couldn’t have been simpler. However, some testers found it a tad cumbersome for moves such as snatches, shoulder presses and halos.
03 FUSS-FREE
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