The Best Kettlebells

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.