Don’t Buy A Kettlebell Until You Read This!

Size DOES matter!

Selecting the right sized kettlebell is important in getting the most out of your kettlebell training.

A bell that is too light or too heavy is not only a waste of money, but will compromise the safety, productivity and enjoyment of your workouts.

Unlike traditional resistance equipment like barbells and dumbbells, you don’t need an extensive set of bells arranged in small weight increments.  A set of two or three kettlebells can provide you with years of challenging and productive workouts.

Progress can be sustained with the same kettlebell by varying exercises, leverage, intensity, sequencing and work-to-rest ratios to make your training more difficult.

Historically, Russian Kettlebells were measured in “poods.”  One pood equals 16 kilograms or about 35 lbs.  In my opinion it is unnecessary to work with weight increments any smaller than .5 poods.

How To Select The Right Bell For You

At the risk of sounding sexist, men typically over-estimate the amount of weight they can lift properly and women tend to under estimate their strength.  Either extreme, too light or too heavy, can pose problems.

Too Heavy

Keep in mind that Kettlebell training is dynamic.  In the course of a workout you will lift, swing, jerk and even throw that big chunk of cast iron in a variety of patterns, directions and positions.

If you are in over your head with an exceedingly heavy kettlebell, you run the risk of accidents, faulty body mechanics, injuries and property damage.

Too Light

When you begin your training, avoid the temptation to grab a “piddley” little kettlebell that is way below your current potential and fitness level.  Some people do so thinking that is an effective way to learn the basics quickly and safely.  That may not be the case.

Training with a kettlebell that is too light posses a different set of problems:

• A light bell will reduce your results in strength development, fat loss, cardio vascular conditioning, and even injury prevention.
• A light bell will not “load” the appropriate muscles needed to support the structure of the body, generate optimal force and may not fully activate the important stabilizer muscles (that may not yet be firing properly when you begin your functional training program).
• It is possible to train “wrong” with a light Kettlebell and not realize it.  Kettlebell training is much more than “lifting weights.”  A KB is a “feedback” mechanism” that teaches you how to stabilize, align and move your body properly.

When the size of the bell is appropriately challenging, you MUST perform the exercises correctly or mistakes become glaringly obvious.

General Guidelines

To dumb it down as much as possible, the most generic advice I can give you is:

If you are an “average guy” you’ll want to start with a 16 kg Kettlebell.  A good “set” of kettlebells for an average male would be a 16, 20 + 24 kg.

If you are “average gal” you’ll want to consider an 8 kg bell for starters.  A good “set” for an average female would be an 8, 12, 16 kg.

Bench Test

In his essential book, “Enter The Kettlebell,” the guru of Russian Kettlebell training, Pavel Tatsouline, provides a rough guideline for men based on the bench press.  If you bench press less than 200 lbs. start with a 16 kg.  If you can press over 200 lbs. start with a 20 kg.  If you are unusually strong (strongman or power lifter) you can probably get away starting with a 24 kg.

Press Test

If you’ve already learned the “clean and press,” another good standard for your primary kb is a weight you can press strictly 3-5 times.

A word of caution –  When people first begin training with KB’s, the device can feel awkward and heavy.  They often perform their introductory session with a lighter bell than the one’s I’ve recommend.   No big deal right?

It could be if after the exhilaration of your first KB workout, you run out and buy the same bell you began your training with.

What will happen is that same bell becomes too light for you almost over night.  Your initial strength levels will soar as your muscles begin to fire more efficiently and your body mechanics improve.  You’ve just wasted your hard-earned cash on a dust-collecting doorstop.

If you’re going to err… do so on a heavier bell.  If it DOES turn out to be too heavy for your current level of strength and conditioning, you can add a lighter bell to your arsenal and work your way up to the heavier one when you’re ready.  Instead of a waste of cash, it’s a logical investment to your future training.

Also, there are a number of legitimate “cheats, tricks and assists” that can be applied when lifting a bell that is a bit on the heavy side.  These techniques will allow you to train with that bell until you develop the additional strength needed for more strict repetitions.

The Optimal Solution

In a perfect world, it would be nice to have access to a variety of kettlebells that you can “play with” and hone in on the right bell for your current level of fitness and conditioning.

Take some time, focus on technique and “dial in” the optimal size of your “primary kettlebell” over the course of your first couple weeks of training.