Kettlebell Resources
Buying A Kettlebell
I’ve tried a lot of different brands. I am going to list them in order of preference, with any releveant information I have learned about each one. Kettlebells are not cheap, but the right ones will outlast you, unless you throw them off of tall buildings.
Dragon Door
If I could go back to the beginning of my training, I would have started with Dragon Door Kettlebells. Some of this is kind of hard to explain if you haven’t used kettlebells before, but the balance is right, the width and thickness of the handle is perfect, and I like the coating. Dragon Door has drastically cut their prices recently. They’re still expensive, but I am currently in the process of replacing all of my kettlebells with this brand.
Lifeline
I have a 40kg Lifeline kettlebell. In size, shape, and balance, they are very similar to Dragon Door’s kettlebells. My only complaint is that I have seen some Lifeline Kettlebells that have the handles welded on, versus being cast in one piece. I’m sure it’s very unlikely, but the thought of the handle coming off in some freak accident has made me hesitant to buy another kettlebell from Lifeline.
Perform Better
Perform Better makes regular kettlebells, which I haven’t used. But I haven’t ever heard a complaint about them. Where I really love Perform Better is their competition kettlebells. Competition kettlebells are the ones used in Girevoy Sport, the traditional Russian sport of kettlebell lifting. There are differences in size and the shape of the handle, but the main thing is: all of the weights are the same size. Whether you’re using a 32kg or a 12kg kettlebell, they are the same size kettlebells. This is how they standardize things for the competitions.
They also come in snazzy colors!
Apollo
I spent my first 12 months of kettlebell training using Apollos that I found in a used Sporting Goods store. For most kettlebell exercises, they suck. Now, don’t get me wrong–I made a lot of progress in that year using my Apollos and I still have four of them, but they are crappy kettlebells. The handles are really wide and long. This really matters once you’re doing lifts where the position of the kettlebell on your forearm impacts your performance.
For swings, the core of kettlebell training, Apollos are pretty okay. But, even for swings, I’ve had some clients I’ve trained who have bigger thighs. The size of the handle on the Apollos made even swings hard for her because the handle was so wide she couldn’t get her thighs out of the way.
Other kettlebell brands that I haven’t used, but that you can research
A word of warning
It’s a bad idea to buy a kettlebell in a Shopko, Sports Authority, Barnes and Noble, or Target. Do it if you must, but they’re absolutely horrible.
Kettlebell DVDs and Books
Enter The Kettlebell! (Book & DVD) There are a lot of great things on Youtube. Most of the kettlebell instruction is not great. Learn your technique from Pavel and you’ll be fine, as long as you can get over the fact that he’s demonstrating next to a bunch of ammunition reserves. Also has great programs for beginners up through advanced levels.
Resilient: This DVD was recommended to me after I screwed up my neck during the shenanigans in this video. I’ve found the necks drills and kettlebell shoulder openers alone worth the price, but I was also badly in need of some corrections. Most people are! Resilient is about some correctional drills that will prevent injury and aid in rehab. I’ve needed both, but now that I have the drills, I am able to do something every day that will keep me tuned up. I’m not sure how I can say it better!
RKC Certification
There are various kettlebell instructor certifications out there. I chose Pavel’s RKC course because of the emphasis on power and the system of instruction. It wasn’t cheap, but I made the money back quickly teaching. Whether you are seriously interested in learning kettlebell instruction from some of the best minds in the world–or you’re just a passionate amateur like me who teaches occasionally and is looking for a challenge–registering for and passing the RKC Weekend is an absolute blast. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.
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Thanks for this resource!
Josh,
Good resource. After you and I talked via e-mail I ordered the regular 16kg Perform Better KB. I can’t compare handle size and balance to other KB since this is my first but the finish is great very smooth. It also has a rubber piece bolted to the bottom that can be removed and extra weight added.
Per your recommendation I also ordered the ENTER THE KETTLEBELL book and DVD. They really do compliment each other and should be used together. Plus, I like Pavel’s tongue in cheek Soviet Hard A– performance.
I think you need a more prominent link to your store on your home page. Tell us what it is and we need to have look.
Dan
This is such and awesome post, i have been using kettlebells for 6 months now and i have really seen the benefits, but choosing the right ones to suit what your doing is so important.
Awesome Milton. Glad to hear it!