Kettlebell or dumbell??

daisyelaine
daisyelaine Posts: 480 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm debating getting a kettlebell or 2 ( preferably 1-- they're expensive!) and am looking for input. Can I just use a regular dumbell instead? Also, would anything less than 15 lbs be worth it? I found a kit with a 5, 10 and 15 for $40, but have heard that I should start with a 15, which is $30 by itself, so I'm still saving money that way if I don't use the others. I don't know!! Oh, and I'm already using 8lb dumbells for my bootcamp class...

Replies

  • MandeeSue
    MandeeSue Posts: 153
    bump, would love to know which would be best to get as well !!
  • BaconMD
    BaconMD Posts: 1,165 Member
    I got my first kettlebell (well, technically for my wife for her birthday) and it was a 15lb contoured one. I'd highly, highly suggest it. The contour is comfy and the bell won't smash into your wrist, and it comes with a Bob Harper 30-minute workout that had me sore for about 3 days afterwards. And I've been exercising for almost a year now, so it shouldn't have hurt me that much, hahah. But anyhow, the brand is GoFit. I bought it from Amazon.

    I guess you could use a dumbell for some kettlebell exercises, but the handle design is different, and I prefer it.
  • My1985Freckles
    My1985Freckles Posts: 1,039 Member
    bump
  • _JPH_
    _JPH_ Posts: 25
    I got my first kettlebell (well, technically for my wife for her birthday) and it was a 15lb contoured one. I'd highly, highly suggest it. The contour is comfy and the bell won't smash into your wrist, and it comes with a Bob Harper 30-minute workout that had me sore for about 3 days afterwards. And I've been exercising for almost a year now, so it shouldn't have hurt me that much, hahah. But anyhow, the brand is GoFit. I bought it from Amazon.

    I guess you could use a dumbell for some kettlebell exercises, but the handle design is different, and I prefer it.

    I love my Bob Harper Kettlebell! I have the two DVD's and it works you out good! Highly recommend!
  • mjslazak
    mjslazak Posts: 179 Member
    You can do several kb moves with a dumbell, for certain (swings come immediately to mind), but I think it's worth it to get one or two kettles for an alternate workout now and then, especially if you don't have access at a gym. But the cost is definitely up there, as they're all iron!

    I have 8# and 15# at home, and truthfully, they're now too light for me (I'm swinging 35# at the gym). If you don't have access to them at your gym (if you belong to one that is), then I'd say go for the 15#.
  • suavequeen
    suavequeen Posts: 273 Member
    I read and I agree that kettlebells are best for explosive movements that use momentum to multiply force and dumbbells are best for slower movements that require control. I love my kettlebell workouts and suggest investing in at least 2 small ones, (cast iron) even if its one at a time but the benefits are so worth it. I still use dumbbells in my workouts when I do certain spots weight training. KB's give me a powerful all over body workout with so much cardio bursts..
  • Elizadolots
    Elizadolots Posts: 178
    If you are doing kettlebell exercises, use a kettlebell! As far as I understand it is in the range of movement, not something you can achieve with a dumbell in the same way. I bought a fabulous dvd, love working out on it.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kettlebell-Training-Tone-And-Firm-Your-Body-2-Disc-Set-/260962289730?pt=UK_CDsDVDs_DVDs_DVDs_GL&hash=item3cc2908842

    I am using a 6kg at the moment and will build it up. The heavier one caused some back pain. Hope this helps!
  • mjslazak
    mjslazak Posts: 179 Member
    ...and incidentally, I found some nice rubber-coated kettles at Target of all places. But definitely look around online and for sales in sports stores, too. Given that they're more popular now, the prices are getting better.
  • BaconMD
    BaconMD Posts: 1,165 Member
    I love my Bob Harper Kettlebell! I have the two DVD's and it works you out good! Highly recommend!
    Bob is a beast.. It was the first time I did a Bob Harper workout, and it was pretty much what I dreaded/expected. Hahah. So the other two kettlebell DVDs by Bob are different from the 30 minutes one that comes with the kettlebell? I think I will buy them both in due time, as well as a heavier contoured kettlebell.
  • mrsgoss
    mrsgoss Posts: 57 Member
    I love love love my kettlebell, I actually have been taking a kettlebell class for the past 5 weeks...Huge differance already...go for the kettlebell, I started with the 15 pound
  • daisyelaine
    daisyelaine Posts: 480 Member
    Awesome-- thanks for all the input!! I'm thinking I'll get the 15lb, and take it from there. I do all my workouts at home, with the exception of a class I go to twice a week in our local arena. Next job will be to find a workout to go with it-- I know there's a Shred that uses them, but I'm an hour away from the nearest location that sells it. ( and yes, I can order things online.. but I like instant gratification!!!)
    I'm so excited!
  • ktfitzgerald
    ktfitzgerald Posts: 369 Member
    Kettlebells are AWESOME!!! And I would definitely get the contoured ones if you can find them. The wrist comfort is well worth it!
  • ShaneWinston58
    ShaneWinston58 Posts: 156 Member
    I have both Kettlebells and dumbbells. I just received my Kettlebells about a week ago from www.FitnessFactory.com (1-800-383-9300), and they were a very reasonable price. Even with the $15 shipping charge I made out better money wise. I love them, too, as they are very nice looking with no chips and have an attached handle which I thought was better for safety purposes. Some have a handle that you can attach.

    Obviously, I am just learning how to use my Kettlebells, but I prefer them over my dumbbells, because they seem easier to hold onto. Plus, balancing them during exercises seems easier. I was using 10lb. dumbbell weights before I started using my Kettlebells, but I have started with a five pound weight now. I bought one 5lb. weight and two 10lb. weights. When I picked up the 10lb. weight, I thought "Oh no" this is too heavy to start with. However, I haven't been using my dumbbells as often as I should. The 5lb. weight was perfect for all of the exercises I plan on using it for for starters.

    I went to Amazon and purchased a great book for using Kettlebells. It is, "Kettlebell RX: The Complete Guide for Athletes and Coaches" by Jeff Martone for $23.07. It is a GREAT book!!! It has color pictures all of the way through the book of an individual working out with Kettlebells and directions on how they are doing the exercises. He is using a heavy Kettlebell weight, but you can start at your own weight.

    Good luck with you search for answers. I'm sure you will get many different responses.:flowerforyou:
  • ShaneWinston58
    ShaneWinston58 Posts: 156 Member
    You may not want to buy the book that I have written about, because I took a better look at it, and it has A LOT of stretching exercises in it...not as much weight lifting as I had originally thought. Sorry.:noway:
  • sdrawkcabynot
    sdrawkcabynot Posts: 462 Member
    <
    this guy is team kettlebell!

    Luckily my gym has a lot of different sizes... but I am a total fan!
  • sdrawkcabynot
    sdrawkcabynot Posts: 462 Member
    Awesome-- thanks for all the input!! I'm thinking I'll get the 15lb, and take it from there. I do all my workouts at home, with the exception of a class I go to twice a week in our local arena. Next job will be to find a workout to go with it-- I know there's a Shred that uses them, but I'm an hour away from the nearest location that sells it. ( and yes, I can order things online.. but I like instant gratification!!!)
    I'm so excited!

    Do you have a used dvd/book store near by? They always have workout videos of all sorts in the bargain bins here. Just an idea :D
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