Buying your own gym equipment can be a very expensive process. This is especially true of buying weights.
If you are a keen weight trainer, then you will know that different exercises and different body parts require different size weights. They also require weights of different shapes and styles.
So, you need to buy a lot of different weights. But this can be very expensive. Weights can also take up a huge amount of space in your home. And it’s frustrating when you become too used to one weight and want to move on to a heavier option. What do you do with the old weights?
This is especially true of kettlebells. Kettlebells have become incredibly popular in recent years. This is because they can be used for a wide range of exercises. This is great but you can’t use the same weight for every workout.
This is where adjustable kettlebells come in. Adjustable kettlebells allow you to add and take away weights to suit your specific workout needs.
As well as differences in weight, kettlebells are also made from different materials and can come in a surprisingly wide variety of shapes.
So, to help you find the perfect fit for your workout, we’ve put together a list of the best adjustable kettlebells. Read on for the best kettlebells available, as well as some tips to make the buying process just that bit easier.
Eager to get working out and don’t have time to browse? No problem, here’s our top pick for the best adjustable kettlebell.
OUR TOP PICK
Weight Range: 1lb-55lbs
Our top pick is this cleverly designed and affordable adjustable kettlebell from Kettle Gryp.
It is portable and easy to use. It has an innovative design but is still simple and easy to use. It will give you a great workout in your home, at the gym, or wherever you like.
This kettlebell looks incredibly different from the standard shape. Even compared to other adjustable versions. This shape is very practical as it will allow you to add a huge weight range.
You can use this kettlebell for easy workouts at just 1lb or much more intense workouts at 55lbs. This is an excellent range.
Normally, non-adjustable kettlebell weights increase in twos. So you would need a huge number of kettlebells to be able to get the same kind of variation. This is amazing value for money.
On that note, this kettlebell is very affordable. There are some kettlebells on the market that are more expensive than this with only one weight. So you are getting a great range in just the one kettlebell.
This kettlebell is also portable so is great for traveling. No more having to forfeit your workouts because you’re away from home. This means it can be taken on holiday or just easily carried to the gym.
You might be looking for a kettlebell to use at home but no one will think you strange for wanting to use your own equipment in the gym.
Carrying weights around is obviously not an easy thing to do. So being able to easily transport a kettlebell, with additional weights, is a great feature.
Pros
- Good weight range
- Well-designed
- Portable
- Affordable
EDITORS CHOICE
Weight Range: 16lbs, 20lbs, 24lbs, 28lbs, 32lbs, 36lbs
The weight range of this adjustable kettlebell is good but not great. This is a good option if you prefer to use lighter weights.
Remember, you don’t need a huge weight range if you’re not trying to build muscle and just want to tone up a bit. (Read on or scroll down to our Buyers’ Guide for some more information on how best to workout with adjustable kettlebells).
That said, the starting weight of this kettlebell is pretty heavy. So it’s really only suitable for someone with experience. And someone who is already pretty strong. This isn’t the kind of kettlebell to be used by a beginner.
The style of this kettlebell is one of its best features. Adjustable kettlebells come in a surprisingly wide range of styles. This is by far one of the most practical. The weights are added to this adjustable kettlebell by simply placing them inside.
The empty kettlebell can be used alone and then each additional weight can simply be slotted inside.
This is an easy way to vary the weight of this kettlebell. But it is also great for storage. Even other adjustable kettlebells often have additional weights that can be tricky to store. The extra weights can just be kept inside this kettlebell.
One downside of this kettlebell is that it is very expensive. It is of great quality and will give you a great workout. But it is definitely an investment.
If you’re looking for an adjustable kettlebell to save money, then this is perhaps not the best option for you.
Pros
- Compact
- Classic shape
- Easy to use
- Easy to store
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited weight range
BEST VALUE
Weight Range: 10lbs to 40lbs
This is a very neat and easy to use kettlebell. It has perhaps the most interesting construction style of all the options on this list.
The extra weights are flat and circular, similar to those on freeweight dumbbells. They are just slotted on one on top of each other.
This may be a little difficult with the lower weights, however. This kettlebell is designed in the shape of a normal, single weight kettlebell. This means that some of the weights have a bigger diameter than the others.
This is so that, when all the weights are added, the kettlebell gives the appearance of a normal kettlebell.
This means that, when using the lighter weights, the kettlebell will be quite wide and might be difficult to balance. This is also due to the fact that the ball of the kettlebell stays the same size. But this might also be the exact style that is perfect for you.
It will allow you to alter the entire kettlebell to suit your workouts. Not using something that is essentially the same but of varying weights.
The price of this kettlebell definitely isn’t the highest available (or the highest on this list). But it is on the higher end of the general price range. This is likely due to the materials used.
This kettlebell is made from drop cast iron and is very durable. It has an industrial look and is very good quality.
Pros
- Good range of weights
- Durable
- Made from good quality materials
- Innovative design
Cons
- Expensive
RUNNER UP
Weight Range: 7lbs, 10lbs, 15lbs, 18lbs, 20lbs, 23lbs, 25lbs, 30lbs
This is a really unique style of kettlebell. In fact, it’s a really unique style of workout equipment in general. This is because the weights are soft.
This will make workouts more enjoyable and generally safer. If you have ever caught your finger in between weights, or just knocked your hand against one, you will know that they are pretty painful. (That said, these weights are obviously still heavy and should be used with care).
A lot of kettlebell exercises require you to swing the kettlebell around. This can often result in you knocking the weights on your arms, legs, or the floor.
This can be annoying, uncomfortable, and potentially painful. If the weights are very heavy then they can even damage your (or the gym’s) flooring. This is obviously not ideal so having soft weights will be great for avoiding this.
The style of this kettlebell is also interesting. The weights are shaped in the same way as adjustable dumbbell weights. (Essentially like really big donuts).
So they can be easily added and removed. The soft material will make them even easier to use as they don’t need to be screwed or twisted on.
The weight range of this kettlebell is very good. This means that it can be used for a wide range of exercises. It also means that it is perfect for fitness beginners and those with lots of experience.
This kettlebell isn’t the most affordable option on this list. But it definitely isn’t the most expensive either. This means that you’re really getting good value for money.
Pros
- Good weight range
- Innovative style
- Soft weights
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons
- Weights may move around due to the soft material
RUNNER UP
Weight Range: 8lbs to 40lbs
The weight range of this kettlebell is excellent. It means that it can be used for a wide range of workouts. And by people of all different levels of strength, fitness, and experience.
It is an incredibly innovative design as the weight can be adjusted just by turning a dial. This means that you can switch your exercises up quickly.
The weights slot inside the kettlebell and then are released and altered when you turn the dial. This is such a useful design as it will allow you to do a full-body workout super easily.
You can just keep going with the flow. Instead of searching around trying to find your other weights.
This product is also great for storage as the weights can all be kept inside the kettlebell itself. This single kettlebell can replace up to 6 kettlebells of differing weights.
So it's a great option if you’re looking for an adjustable kettlebell for its space-saving abilities.
If you’re looking for an adjustable kettlebell so that you can save some money, then this might not be the best option. This adjustable kettlebell is pretty expensive.
It is a great quality piece of equipment and will do everything you need it to. But it is definitely one of the more expensive options available.
Pros
- Innovative design
- Good weight range
- Easy to use
- Easy to store
Cons
- Expensive
Best Adjustable Kettlebell Buying Guide
Buying any kind of workout equipment can be a difficult process. It can be overwhelming when you see just how many different options are available. It can also be difficult to understand exactly what you need for the best workout.
You also don’t want to buy something that will be too difficult or too easy for you to use.
If you do, your workouts will either have no impact or you might end up hurting yourself. So, to make the process easier, read through our guide to buying adjustable kettlebells.
Adjustable vs Single Kettlebells
Now that you have discovered adjustable kettlebells, we bet you’re never going to consider buying a single weight kettlebell again.
Single weight kettlebells can be useful if you only use kettlebells for one kind of workout. But why would you want to do that? A kettlebell is an amazing piece of equipment and can be used for a huge range of exercises. They can be used by people with years of experience or someone who is just getting started.
Different workouts, even those that only require a kettlebell, require different weights. If you’re weight training to try to build muscle, you will also eventually need to increase the weights you use. This will make the lighter weights you already bought redundant. You will either have to sell, get rid of, or just store away your old weights.
With adjustable kettlebells, you can just keep on building the weights and your muscles. You won’t be forced to invest in an expensive kettlebell, only to not need it after a year or even just a few months. Buying home gym equipment is already expensive enough.
Single weight kettlebells also take up a lot of storage space. As you will likely need more than one, you’re going to need space to keep them. Not only when you’re not working out but also when you only need one or two kettlebells. The rest are going to need to be kept somewhere.
With an adjustable kettlebell, you can essentially store multiple kettlebells in one space. This means that you can just place it in your wardrobe or under your bed. Just because you’re working out at home, doesn’t mean you need a dedicated home gym. Working out wherever you can is still a great workout.
Material
It might be surprising but kettlebells come in a range of materials. This can impact their performance and make them easier or harder to use.
The majority of kettlebells are made from cast iron. They can also be made from cast steel. But, there is a lot of variation on this. Especially for adjustable kettlebells.
Kettlebells are very dense pieces of equipment, which is one of the reasons they are often so expensive.
The material of an adjustable kettlebell may not be your biggest concern. But if you want something that won’t be too difficult to use and is safer, then you can find yourself a soft kettlebell. You can also find kettlebells made from cast iron and plastic or just filled plastic. These generally won’t be as dense.
The kind of kettlebell material you need depends on the workouts you generally do. It also depends on your experience. A less dense kettlebell may be a better option for a beginner.
Shape
Kettlebells do have a general shape but there are variations on it. This variation can allow for different workouts. This is because different exercises can require different moves and space. For example, squatting will be better with a slightly different shaped weight to arm raises.
The shape is especially important for arm raises as you need to be careful to avoid your head. Due to their shape, kettlebells have a tendency to swing about. This is why some kettlebells are made from soft materials.
So, when choosing an adjustable kettlebell, make sure to note the overall shape. They may look similar but they do have some important differences.
Size
When it comes to kettlebells, weight isn’t the only thing that will impact your workout. It’s easy to assume that the bigger the kettlebell, the heavier it is. But this isn’t necessarily true. Some kettlebells are smaller than others. This means that they are denser.
So, when it comes to choosing, make sure you look at the different dimensions as well as the different weights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are kettlebells so good?
Kettlebells are great workout tools as they are incredibly versatile. You can use them for whole-body workouts. Or you can train and tone specific body parts. You can also use them to add a bit of extra weight to your cardio workouts.
This is one of the reasons why adjustable kettlebells are so useful. You likely won’t want (or be able) to use the same kettlebell weight for all of your workouts.
But do you want to spend hundreds of dollars on a huge range of kettlebells? These will also take up loads of space. So being able to switch between different weights is super useful and efficient.
Do kettlebells build muscle?
Absolutely! Kettlebells are a kind of weight. And working out properly with any weight will help you build muscle.
Kettlebells are great as they can be used for much more diverse and interesting workouts than dumbbells.
But they are also great in combination with dumbbells and other workout equipment. So they’re a win-win!
He is currently the owner of his own MMA dojo "in paradise" where he teaches combat training and meditation. He is also the author of a book soon to be published on the merits of martial arts training on the body and mind.
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