There are many weights of kettlebells out there in the world. But there is one size of kettlebell that is the most versatile. The "best". The one kettlebell to rule all others:
When it comes to kettlebells, there is no doubt that the 35 lb weight reigns supreme. It is the perfect size for a variety of kettlebell exercises, and it provides the perfect amount of resistance for most people. In this blog post, we will discuss why the 35 lb kettlebell is the king of all kettlebells!
The 35 lb kettlebell has been around for quite a while! It was first developed in Russia in the 1700s as a tool for strength and conditioning. Russian farmers used round weights to measure their grain at the market. Over time, these round weights were made with handles on top to make them easier to carry around. After a while, some Russian soldiers saw the weights and inspiration struck! These soldiers started incorporating kettlebell exercises to improve their physical performance and strength on the front lines. And now, centuries later, the 35 lb kettlebell is still considered the best weight for most people.
A kettlebell is a weight that is shaped like a ball with a handle. Think about it as a cannonball with a handle looped out of the top. It is used for strength training and cardio exercises. Kettlebells come in different weights, and the most popular size is the 35 lb kettlebell.
There are many reasons why kettlebell exercises have become so popular in recent years. Below are some of the main benefits of kettlebell workouts:
1. Kettlebells are a great way to get a full-body workout in a short amount of time.
2. Kettlebells are versatile – they can be used for strength training, cardio exercises, and even Pilates or yoga moves.
3. Kettlebells are portable – they can be taken with you wherever you go, so you can always get your kettlebell training in no matter where you are.
4. Kettlebells are affordable – they cost less than most other types of weight equipment, and they take up less space too.
5. Kettlebells are fun! Kettlebell training adds an element of challenge and excitement to your workouts that other pieces of equipment cannot provide.
You'll see kettlebells sold in pounds, in kilograms, and even in "poods." Why all these different measurements- for the same thing?
The answer comes from the history of kettlebells that we mentioned above. Kettlebells were initially used to weigh grain. And in Russia before the metric system, grain was weighed in "poods." When the metric system came in, one pood was standardized to 16 kilograms- which weighs about 35 pounds. Those Russian soldiers most commonly lifted kettlebells that weighed 1 pood, 1.5 poods, and 2 poods- i.e. 35 pounds, 53 pounds, and 70 pounds.
Kettlebells were introduced to Americans in the 1990's by Russian immigrants and these Russians lifted in the weights they were familiar with- poods and kilograms.
Today, most kettlebells in the US are still sold in kilograms- although some manufacturers make their kettlebells in pounds.
And in any case, a 35 lb kettlebell is the same as a 16 kg kettlebell which is the same as a 1 pood kettlebell!
And now for the "best" kettlebell...
If you had to pick only one kettlebell for the rest of your life, your best pick is a 35 lb kettlebell. Put simply, the 35 lb kettlebell is the most versatile kettlebell size.
If you had to pick only one kettlebell to use for the rest of your life, the 35 lb kettlebell should be your go-to!
Kettlebell training offers a range of compelling benefits that contribute to overall fitness and strength.
The main advantage of kettlebells is the combination of cardiovascular and strength training in a single workout. For instance, kettlebell swings engage the posterior chain, improving explosive power and cardiovascular endurance simultaneously.
Moreover, kettlebell exercises often involve functional movements, enhancing coordination and stability that can be applied to daily activities.
For example, Turkish get-ups not only build core strength but also improve mobility, making it easier to get up from the ground with weight in hand. Additionally, kettlebell training promotes muscle balance as both the primary and stabilizing muscles are activated, reducing the risk of muscle imbalances and related injuries.
Kettlebell training is beneficial for both beginner and experienced athletes. The explosive movements of kettlebell exercises, like the kettlebell swing and the kettlebell goblet squat, improve speed, power, and explosiveness – essential qualities for any athlete aiming to level up their game on the field.
The adaptability of kettlebell workouts also allows them to be tailored to various fitness levels, whether someone aims to build muscle, lose weight, or improve flexibility.
The combination of functional movements and resistance provided by the kettlebell makes it an ideal choice for those looking to add variety to their exercise routine, engage in full body workouts, and become a better overall athlete.
The most effective kettlebell exercises that give you the most “bang for your buck” for building overall strength and power are:
Pick one of the movements above, set a timer for 20 minutes, and every minute perform 5 reps of the movement. In only 20 minutes you just knocked out 100 reps! You should aim for about 40 seconds of rest in between sets (so 20 seconds of work). Quick, simple, and effective. What more could you ask for?
Want more kettlebell workout ideas? Check out these 3 Kettlebell workouts you can do anywhere!
When you're getting into kettlebell training, you only need one kettlebell to start with. Cool, right? You can rock plenty of basic exercises like squats, presses, and rows with just that.
As you get better and stronger, you can level up to using two kettlebells. Doing swings or cleans with a kettlebell in each hand is a whole new challenge! Of course, you can totally stick with one kettlebell at the beginning, but having a whole set that gives you a few options in terms of weight is handy.
The key is to take it step by step, nail your form, and gradually kick up the intensity for a smooth kettlebell journey.
Spice up your kettlebell workouts with our new Hell's Bells Kettlebells!
As discussed about, a 35 lb kettlebell is a great weight. For a man, a 35 lb kettlebell is usually a good weight for many types of exercises like the kettlebell snatch, the kettlebell swing, and also turkish get-ups. For a woman, the 35 lb kettlebell is a "heavy" kettlebell and is great for swings, deadlifts, suitcase carries, and farmer's walks.
At Fringe Sport, we generally recommend that men start their training with a 25 or 26 lb kettlebell if they are just beginners, or a 35 lb kettlebell if they have a little lifting experience. For women, we suggest starting with a 15-20 lb kettlebell if they are just starting out or a 25/26 lb kettlebell if they have some lifting experience.
As mentioned above, great "starter" kettlebells for men would be in the range of 25-35 lb kettlebells. Once men train and gain some strength and familiarity with kettlebell training, they typically advance in kettlebell weight to 44 lb, 53 lb, or even 70 lb kettlebells!
A 24kg kettlebell weighs about 53 lb. This is pretty heavy for a kettlebell! If you are a man and you are swinging a 53 lb / 24kg kettlebell around- you are a pretty strong dude! And that goes doubly so if you are a lady!
Most kettlebells are made of cast iron. There are a few that have a forged finish, but casting is the most common method of making kettlebells. The reason for this is that the most economical way to make a kettlebell is from iron- and the best way to make iron into the shape you need it is to heat it up and pour it into a mold. This is the "cast iron" process that is used to make most kettlebells.
Many kettlebells have a powder coat finish- but this is not the only finish that kettlebell manufacturers use on their kettlebells. Other common kettlebell finishes are e-coat, enamel, and sprayed paint. At Fringe Sport, we use powder coat finishes on our kettlebells- we believe powder coat is a great, durable finish for a kettlebell and this finish has stood the test of time.
Wrapping up
If you've read this far, we guess you WANT a 35lb kettlebell. Find ours here. It's an amazing kettlebell at an amazing price and of course, it's backed with our best-in-the-world customer service and we-only-sell-what-we-lift-on guarantee.
Of try a whole set of kettlebells! The choice is yours.
Or if you want to read more, check out the MYGG- the minimum viable Garage Gym- which includes a kettlebell!
Lift heavy, lift happy!
Peter Keller
Author