Buying Your First Kettlebells

Two bells cover most training: one you can press and one you can swing. For most men that is a sixteen and a twenty four kilo. For most women, a twelve and a sixteen.

Competition bells are all the same physical size regardless of weight, which means the technique stays identical as you get stronger. Cast iron bells grow with the load, which is cheaper but changes how each one feels.

The handle is what you will notice most. Look for a smooth, matte finish with no casting seam, and a window wide enough for two hands in a swing.

Add a third bell only when you can press the middle weight for five clean repetitions on each side.