Guide to selecting the best kettlebell for your training

Article by Duncan Boltt

Guide to selecting the best kettlebell for your trainingThere are many variations of kettlebells but they all fit in the following types of kettlebells:Types of kettlebells* Competition kettlebells* Adjustable kettlebells* Cast iron kettlebells* Rubber coated kettlebellsKettlebells have become very popular and because of this there is a massive variety of different users each with their individual preferences on types of kettlebells.In this article I will detail each type of kettlebell and go through its advantages and disadvantages. This will give you a good overall picture of what kettlebells are available and so you can choose which kettlebells suits your training needs.The Rubber coated kettlebellThese are widely used, and because of the rubber coating they don’t scratch and rust. However the grip and feel of the kettlebell is changed and they tend to stick as you swing them.The sizes vary depending on the weight. They also can be colour coded but these quickly loose their finish which can look poor.The Cast Iron KettlebellCast iron Kettlebells are the most widely used kettlebels, they are a big chunk of iron. The simplicity of them makes them no non-sense kettlebells which appeals to a lot of people.The sizes vary depending on the weight of kettlebell making it easy to select between each weight.The finishing on cast Iron kettlebells varies from supplier and I recommend getting a well painted kettlebell. This is because kettlebells attract moisture and so rust easily if they aren’t painted.If your looking for quality cast iron kettlebells check out ptgear.The Adjustable kettlebellAdjustable Kettlebells allow the user to adjust the weight of the kettlebell to suit the training session. They are obviously more expensive than other forms of kettlebells because of the extra manufacturing that goes into constructing them. They also are not a solid piece of iron, which I believe takes something away from the feel of kettlebell training. Kettlebells are by tradition a big piece of Iron there is something very satisfying about the simplicity of this.The Competition Kettlebell Competition kettlebells are all the same size and shape. If you are interested in competing with kettlebells then these will be the right set for you. They are all colour coded to show each weight.Different preferences in shape and gripOn Top of the different types of kettlebell available, they also vary in size and shape which will effect the balance and strength gains.Variations in size and shape:* Wide handle OR wider handleThis is down to user preference, wider handles will challenge your grip more, but thinner handles allow you to use a hook grip.* Smooth Handle OR Rough HandleSmooth handles are generally better, they will be less abrasive on your hands and allow the handle to rotate better in training.* Rubber Bottom OR no protection rubber flat bottomRubber bottoms make kettlebells less stable, and they can dig into your shoulder when you are performing kettlebell clean and presses. I don’t worry about this as it really doesn’t matter if the base of the kettlebell gets damaged.I hope this has helped give you an overall view of the different types of kettlebells available.Ptgear has an excelent range of Kettlebells. They are painted cast iron kettlebells with a smooth medium sized grip.

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