Which kettlebells are truly the best, and which ones are crap? Is there an objective way to evaluate this?
Presently in the Unites States, there is a growth in the use of kettlebells, for fitness and sports. These tools are being sold at box stores, sporting goods stores, and many resources online.
Kettlebells were first invented in the United States, and the Russians subsequently picked them up, no pun intended, and made them popular. Just kidding! Kettlebells actually have their origin in ancient Greece, and Rome, but have been made popular by the Russians, whose knowledge of strength development surpasses anything ever produced in the West.
I have become interested in quality, and have studied a variety of kettlebell options, in order to better understand quality. I will not be tearing anyone down, but would rather focus on the positive aspects of products, while discussing less than optimal issues, without naming names.
I first purchased kettlebells from several box stores, and many online options. I subsequently stripped all of the kettlebells with paint stripper, and sought to understand the underlying bare metal object.
The results of my study have convinced me that there is a great deal of bullshit, regarding kettlebell quality. When stripped down to bare metal, kettlebells such as those offered by Rogue, are flawless. However, there are other options that are very good as well. The black enamel finished Cap bells are of very good quality, as observed when taken down to bare metal. How they differ from better bells is a slight casting seam, and some minor imperfections. When sanded, and refinished, however, they are beautiful bells, despite the bullshit and lies routinely stated against them, by folks who sell other products.
Where the difference in kettlebells really becomes apparent is when the finish is removed from one of those inexpensive gray hammertone finished bells, commonly found at box stores. The ones that I have stripped were very ugly indeed. Once these bells are taken down to bare metal, it is quickly apparent that they were created in shitty molds, and were loaded with pits, imperfections, and unground casting seams. They were also coated with a material that resembles bondo, to level things out, and cover imperfections. However, after using a steel metal file, and some sand paper, they can easily be smoothed out. I did notice that every one that I stripped, had been cast in one piece, and that is good. When correcting imperfections, and pits, etc. a steel epoxy putty was very useful, and not much was needed. With a little elbow grease, a few minimal products, even these bells can be refinished to resemble the best bells around. Therefore, the main issue with most bells is finish. this is the main difference between high, and low quality. I personally do not want, and will not use any kettlebells that have the handles welded on. For me, they need to be cast in one piece.
Even the absolutely ugliest kettlebells can be refinished to a level that makes them smooth, highly attractive, and comfortable to use kettlebells. However, in considering the time and costs associated with this, one would have to obtain a crappy bell at a very good price, in order to justify not purchasing a high quality bell. For lack of a better way of saying it, if one purchases a crappy bell, and works to refinish it, and make it comfortable, and attractive, it will cost just as much as simply purchasing a good quality bell.
The other issue that I have with kettlebells is the debate as to whether or not to buy competition bells. Well, that all depends on what one wants to do, but for most uses, the traditional style cast iron will perform just fine. If someone wants to become involved in kettlebell sport, then of course the competition variety is necessary. If purchasing these however, consumers should be careful to insure that the steel is cast in one piece, and that the handles are not welded on, and the latter is very commonplace.
In addition, when purchasing kettlebells, it is best to go with a bell that is a traditional Russian design. I recently purchased a newly designed bell, where the handle was longer, and more squared off at the top. Although sold by a reputable company, the bell was horrible when doing snatches, as the long handle although good for pressing, was terrible as it permitted the bell to rotate too rapidly at the end of the lift, and subsequently hit the forearm. There really is no need to reinvent the wheel, and make it oval, square, or octagonal. Nope, the Russians had it right a long time ago.
So, in conclusion, if one can get a crappy cast in one piece kettlebell, for a very good price, they can be made into a very useful, and beautiful tool. Otherwise, the best option is to go with a good quality kettlebell, from a reputable company. I have had very good luck with the bells that I obtained from Rogue. Great price, and great service, and exceptional quality.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Monday, August 11, 2014
Kettlebell Or Barbells; Which is Better?
Which is better for building muscle, and strength; kettlebells, or barbells/Dumbbells? This is a question that seems to keep coming up in gyms across the country, and throughout the world. Why in the hell do people always limit themselves by this type of thinking?
The answer of course, is they are completely different devices, with vastly different purpose. You think not? Well, look at the bodies of people who use both, and see if there is a difference. Of course, barbells will allow one to lift a great deal more weight, but even weightlifters do not have the muscular appearance of a bodybuilder. What is better, cross country skis, or down hill skis? It depends on what a person intends to do. If you like skis, though, why not get both? Along the same lines, if a person works out primarily with kettlebells, they may want to consider some barbell work as well. Vice versa.
On several occasions I have seen people at the gym, trying curl kettlebells like a dumbbell. Although this can be done, and feels slightly awkward, this is not the most effective use of these wonderful little handle clad cannonballs. Rather, these devices are meant to activate many muscle groups, in each activity. Look at the kettlebell swing for example, and list the muscles involved. It will soon become apparent that this is not an isolated exercise, like most other forms of weight training provide.
When I first learned how to use a kettlebell, it seemed more like a cardio workout, than weight training. I remember a lady arriving to take the class, and in the end being very disappointed. She mentioned to the instructor, that she thought she was taking a weight lifting class. The instructor sarcastically replied that they were weights, and looked at the lady like she was a complete numb skull. She never came back. Maybe the instructor should have told her that not only were kettlebells weights, but that they predate barbells, and dumbbells, by a few thousand years. Maybe he should have told her that they originated in ancient Greece, and were used to develop strength, power, and speed. That they were used to test a person's strength, and that they are one of the oldest devices known, that humans have used to get stronger. Although, an impressive culture in it's own right, Russia is not the place where kettlebells first appeared. We must remember that the Russians were closely aligned with the Byzantine Empire, and even use the cyrillic alphabet, to this day. The instructor could not convey any of this information, however, as they had no clue, and were more interested in texting on their cell phone, than conducting the class.
Yes, kettlebells are weights, and when used properly, will benefit the body in ways that are too many to list. I have found them to be an absolutely remarkable accessory to work with barbells, and dumbbells. This is my experience at least. This experience began with a 45 minute kettlebell workout, the day after an exceptionally difficult workout, with heavy barbells. I went into the kettlebell workout, sore as heck from the barbells, and came away loosened up, stretched, and with blood in the muscle. After cooling down, I felt as if I had half way recovered from the earlier barbell workout.
These things have become an integral tool in my fitness program, and weight training will never be the same. I do not feel that I would want to do to one without the other. Funny thing is that since using kettlebells as a supplement to barbells, I have made significant increases in size and strength. When you have been working out with weights for over thirty years, you tend to see things like this.
So, my own answer to the question above is that neither is better or worse, but simply related to what a person wishes to achieve. For me, these two devices work together, and are mutually beneficial. The first time I ever saw a kettlebell, I knew instictively that it was a weight, for physical development, but really had no understanding of how it should be used. I ended up buying one, and literally used it as a paper weight, for about four years. I wish that I would have better understood the benefits, years ago.
The answer of course, is they are completely different devices, with vastly different purpose. You think not? Well, look at the bodies of people who use both, and see if there is a difference. Of course, barbells will allow one to lift a great deal more weight, but even weightlifters do not have the muscular appearance of a bodybuilder. What is better, cross country skis, or down hill skis? It depends on what a person intends to do. If you like skis, though, why not get both? Along the same lines, if a person works out primarily with kettlebells, they may want to consider some barbell work as well. Vice versa.
On several occasions I have seen people at the gym, trying curl kettlebells like a dumbbell. Although this can be done, and feels slightly awkward, this is not the most effective use of these wonderful little handle clad cannonballs. Rather, these devices are meant to activate many muscle groups, in each activity. Look at the kettlebell swing for example, and list the muscles involved. It will soon become apparent that this is not an isolated exercise, like most other forms of weight training provide.
When I first learned how to use a kettlebell, it seemed more like a cardio workout, than weight training. I remember a lady arriving to take the class, and in the end being very disappointed. She mentioned to the instructor, that she thought she was taking a weight lifting class. The instructor sarcastically replied that they were weights, and looked at the lady like she was a complete numb skull. She never came back. Maybe the instructor should have told her that not only were kettlebells weights, but that they predate barbells, and dumbbells, by a few thousand years. Maybe he should have told her that they originated in ancient Greece, and were used to develop strength, power, and speed. That they were used to test a person's strength, and that they are one of the oldest devices known, that humans have used to get stronger. Although, an impressive culture in it's own right, Russia is not the place where kettlebells first appeared. We must remember that the Russians were closely aligned with the Byzantine Empire, and even use the cyrillic alphabet, to this day. The instructor could not convey any of this information, however, as they had no clue, and were more interested in texting on their cell phone, than conducting the class.
Yes, kettlebells are weights, and when used properly, will benefit the body in ways that are too many to list. I have found them to be an absolutely remarkable accessory to work with barbells, and dumbbells. This is my experience at least. This experience began with a 45 minute kettlebell workout, the day after an exceptionally difficult workout, with heavy barbells. I went into the kettlebell workout, sore as heck from the barbells, and came away loosened up, stretched, and with blood in the muscle. After cooling down, I felt as if I had half way recovered from the earlier barbell workout.
These things have become an integral tool in my fitness program, and weight training will never be the same. I do not feel that I would want to do to one without the other. Funny thing is that since using kettlebells as a supplement to barbells, I have made significant increases in size and strength. When you have been working out with weights for over thirty years, you tend to see things like this.
So, my own answer to the question above is that neither is better or worse, but simply related to what a person wishes to achieve. For me, these two devices work together, and are mutually beneficial. The first time I ever saw a kettlebell, I knew instictively that it was a weight, for physical development, but really had no understanding of how it should be used. I ended up buying one, and literally used it as a paper weight, for about four years. I wish that I would have better understood the benefits, years ago.
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