Which Kettle?

[Baffled Spoon]

I need advice/ help deciding which kettlebell to buy.

I have trained with kettlebells before, but have had a year long gap. I used to work mostly with a 20kg bell, but also occasionally a 24kg one. I only want to get one bell for now, so which size is more versatile?

I have used Wolverson Competition kettlebells previously, but was wondering if there were any other brands you guys could recommend?

Thanks for any help

[BenM77]

Hi mate, if you are going to do TGU and clean and press then you need a bell you can handle on them exercises.

I have a 32 kg wolverson (not competition) saved alot of money buying it on their eBay shop. I can press it but I prefer d/bells for presses, I use it for cardio circuits.

Is it to go with other kit at home?

Ben

[Baffled Spoon]

Hi Ben,

The bell would be in addition to my general gym training. I can easily do TGU, cleans and presses with the 24kg bell, but when I used to do circuits for a full 45 minutes, my technique (especially swings) with the 24kg began to suffer.

Maybe if I get the 24kg, I can just build up to doing full circuits with it.

I had a look at the Wolverson ebay shop too. Fair bit cheaper than their main site, but they didn't have the 24kg bell on ebay

Does anyone have experience of using Marcy kettlebells? They look resonable in the photos...

Cheers.

[didelydoo]

Have a look here- http://www.strengthshop.co.uk/kettlebells.html

[BenM77]

Good link DD.

Another place is fitness-superstore in northampton, you can pick up to save money if you are close enough.

I used a 20kg for TGU and snatches but found I prefer k/bells for conditioning, have you tried swings with a heavier bell?

[Baffled Spoon]

I've used a 24kg KB for swings before, but found it very tiring to complete my usual circuit with that weight. My dilema is that I find snatches, presses, cleans and even TGUs relatively easy even with a 32kg KB (probably due to the fact I do more strenght training than cardio).

So the question is, do I go heavier and hope I can build up my cardio and swings to accomodate (before putting my back out), or go with 20kg and just concentrate on conditioning at that weight

Also, is it worth paying extra for a competition bell, given that I shall only be using one and not changing weights?

[BenM77]

No way I could TGU my 32kg, sounds like the 24kg will suit you best for what you want a bell for.

Try this complex when you get it.

Upright row
Sdlhp
Swing

5 rounds for time, reps 21,18,15,12,9.

Ben

[Halb]

I got a hollow KB from here;
http://www.kettlebells.co.uk/buykettlebells.html
And for training I followed Pavel's Enter the Kettlebell;
snatches and swings for time and clean and press for ladders.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Enter-Kettlebell-Strength-...
I got the DVD free with the KB and got the book off Amazon.

[Baffled Spoon]

BenM77 said:

No way I could TGU my 32kg, sounds like the 24kg will suit you best for what you want a bell for.

Try this complex when you get it.

Upright row
Sdlhp
Swing

5 rounds for time, reps 21,18,15,12,9.

Ben

Sounds like a good excercise plan

I'll definitely give it a go when I get a KB. I think I've decided on the 24kg KB. My cardio/ stamina really could do with improving, and this will help push me forward.

[Baffled Spoon]

Halb said:

I got a hollow KB from here;
http://www.kettlebells.co.uk/buykettlebells.html
And for training I followed Pavel's Enter the Kettlebell;
snatches and swings for time and clean and press for ladders.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Enter-Kettlebell-Strength-...
I got the DVD free with the KB and got the book off Amazon.

Thanks for the links

What are the fillable KBs like to swing? Is there any weight shift from inside while you work?

I had a KB trainer for a year (included free as part of my old uni gym that cost £40 for a years membership ) so I feel I know most of the excercises. Is the book really good/ worth getting?

[Baffled Spoon]

Update; I found this useful review of the various KB brands which may be of use to anyone else wanting to buy one;

http://www.funckey.co.uk/forums/topic/710-kettlebe...

As a result, I have decided to stump up extra and get a Wolverson. Now where's the swinging smilie?

[BenM77]

Baffled Spoon said:

Update; I found this useful review of the various KB brands which may be of use to anyone else wanting to buy one;

http://www.funckey.co.uk/forums/topic/710-kettlebe...

As a result, I have decided to stump up extra and get a Wolverson. Now where's the swinging smilie?

Same article i read which made me decide on wolverson, not a competition one though.

Then someone put me onto their bay shop and i saved £30 on my 32kg bell.

Ben

[Halb]

Baffled Spoon said:

What are the fillable KBs like to swing? Is there any weight shift from inside while you work?
I had a KB trainer for a year (included free as part of my old uni gym that cost £40 for a years membership ) so I feel I know most of the excercises. Is the book really good/ worth getting?

Not too sure, would have to train with a solid one to compare.
For me the book was worth getting, it was a help in learning the ballistic exercises. Lots of pics. Plus the ages old routine.

[Baffled Spoon]

Well, I'm convinced Halb. Read the Amazon reviews, and ordered a copy of the book. I'm sure I'll learn a couple of good things, and having routines listed will be useful too.

[Halb]

Baffled Spoon said:

Well, I'm convinced Halb. Read the Amazon reviews, and ordered a copy of the book. I'm sure I'll learn a couple of good things, and having routines listed will be useful too.

The routine is the ETK one. It's three times a week working on the heavy/light/medium principle.
It is basic exercises, clean and press, and the snatch (with swings helping with snatches), also some warm up stuff.
CnP is ladder (rep based) and snatches are time based. There is a challenge in the, US Marine or something which is a standard competition.