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Looking to level up your home workouts? It’s time to bring in the humble kettlebell Yoga Series
Ah, the kettlebell — arguably the most underrated, yet most efficient, tool for home training sessions. From swings, squats and snatches to high pulls, clean and rows, this cannonball-shaped weight can be used for countless moves, helping to build strong muscles from head to toe. Gains aside, kettlebell workouts are just as effective for heart-rate spiking HIIT sessions and does wonders for your balance, mobility and core strength.
Nab yourself the adjustable kind to keep your lifting zone clutter-free and save some of that hard-earned cash. These space-saving training tools provide up to eight different weights in one compact package, allowing you to progressively hone your muscles, without clogging up your living room.
We've tested all the best adjustable kettlebells to help find those worthy of your home gym. Here’s a round-up of the best on test.
Our champ provides six different weights ranging from 3.5 to 18kg, offering plenty of scope for both bodybuilding workouts and gassy full-body blasts. The plates are stacked within a plastic shell, and you can switch up the resistance with a quick twist of the dial, making it an ideal companion for drop sets or supersets that require different weights. The plates that aren’t being used remain in the dock, so your workout space stays neat and tidy.
We rated the Bowflex for all manner of static and dynamic moves including RDLs, loaded carries, windmills and the Turkish get-up (goblet squats were a bit awkward, though). The ergonomic handle was comfy as hell and the weight was easy to manoeuvre, despite its bulky size.
Despite all its techy features, the JaxJox was a cinch to set up and use. The buttons were really responsive and changing the load couldn’t have been simpler. Any drawbacks? The weight wasn’t displayed on the kettlebell, so we didn’t know exactly what we were lifting, and it was a tad too cumbersome for exercises like snatches, shoulder press and halos.
Given its relatively wallet-friendly price tag, you get a lot for your money with this compact model. It offers seven weight settings, rising from 3.6kg up to 18kg (adjusted by manually sliding plates in and out of the shell), so it’s suitable for lifters of varying abilities. The plates felt secure throughout all movements and there was minimal wobbling or rattling as we worked up a sweat. There’s no holding dock for the plates you’re not using, so you may have to lug them around between sets, but that’s hardly a dealbreaker.
Thanks to the compact, rounded shape and broad, easy to grip handle, this kettlebell was a breeze to wield and didn’t get in the way of our lifts. It doesn’t allow for super-speedy transitions between exercises, but that may or may not bother you.
Yet another cast iron KB, this one taps out at 18kg and offers six increments from 3.6kg — not heavy enough to hit any PBs but it’ll do the job nicely for isolation moves and sweaty circuits. Our expert rated the compact, rounded design that resembles a classic kettlebell shape, saying it was comfortable to use with a good grippy handle. It has a thick rubber base, so you needn’t worry about scratches or dents on your flooring, and there’s a security lock, which was appreciated when pressing 18kg overhead.
If you want to know exactly what you’re lifting, look to one of our other best adjustable kettlebells — the weight plates aren’t labelled so it’s difficult to keep track with this one. It's a reliable, cost-effective option, nonetheless.
If you're used to traditional shaped kettlebells like the ones you find at your local gym, switching to the adjustable variety at home can take some getting used to. With this competition-style adjustable kettlebell from Strength Shop, you don't have to. Rising by 1kg increments, you can configure it to any weight between 12kg and 32kg, while retaining that classic kettlebell look and feel.
If you’re after a no-frills, straightforward model, look no further. This nifty piece of kit packs seven kettlebells into one system, allowing you to go as light as 3.4kg for cardio days or shift 18kg for at-home WODs. The plates need to be changed manually, but they can be added in any order — great if you're in a hurry or wanting to vary the weight distribution. It has a locking mechanism for security and, unlike many designs, the weight of each plate is clearly displayed in kg and lbs on both sides.
This ISOGYM offering impressed, delivering a solid performance. The pull mechanism was a little stiff to begin with but switching weights was smooth and straightforward once they got the hang of it. It wasn’t the comfiest for overhead lifts and there was some rattling during dynamic movements, but this wasn’t too distracting.
Wes Santos, PT and owner of Instate Fitness, is a huge advocate of kettlebell training. ‘Movement patterns such as swinging, pushing, pulling, throwing and hinging mean you get loads of bang for your buck with kettlebells,’ he says. ‘Whatever your goal, you can design a highly effective workout with a single kettlebell and minimal space.’
You can reap the rewards pretty quickly, too. One US study found that just eight weeks of kettlebell training improved participants' aerobic capacity, dynamic balance and core strength by a whopping 70%.
Both traditional kettlebells and adjustable kettlebells have their strengths. Ultimately, it depends on your goals, where you’re working out, the types of moves you plan on using them for, and your budget.
Unless you have an entire set of kettlebells lying around at home, you'd have to shell out every single time you wanted to challenge yourself with a heavier weight. No such issue with adjustable kettlebells, though — just press a button, twist a dial or whack on some extra plates for more resistance as you progress.
If you opt for a fixed-weight kettlebell, you’re going to be limited in the moves you can perform. 'Adjustable kettlebells allow you to be much more specific with the weights you use for different exercises,' says Santos. Need a lighter weight for your Turkish get-up? No dramas. Want to go heavy on your deadlifts, squats and swings? Done. It's all possible with an adjustable ‘bell.
Yes, adjustable kettlebells are pricier upfront than their fixed-weight counterparts, but they may well be more cost-effective in the long run. The larger initial investment means you get a variety of different weights in one neat little package, with no need to splurge on a new model when you’re ready to lift heavier.
Really, who has space for a bulky rack of kettlebells taking up an entire wall in their home gym set-up? Adjustable kettlebells require minimal storage space while still giving you plenty of weight options. Just like adjustable dumbbells — what’s not to love?
Santos shares his favourite full-body kettlebell moves for getting a sweat on at home.
Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and bend your knees to pick up the kettlebell. Keep your spine inline and your core and lats engaged. Drive through your hips without overextending and swing the weight up to shoulder height. Return to the start position and repeat.
Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointed outwards, holding the kettlebell vertically with your hands underneath the weight. Lower yourself into a squat, without rounding your back and keeping your core and glutes tensed throughout. Drive back up through your knees and repeat.
Hold two kettlebells by their handles so the weight is resting on the back of your shoulders. Bend your knees slightly, drive through your legs and straighten them, extending your arms as you raise the kettlebells over your head.
If you’re not au fait, a kettlebell flow combines three different exercises to create one seamless movement. 'They allow you to hit more muscles, build strength, coordination and mobility in a short space of time,' explains Santos.
He recommends connecting a kettlebell swing with a goblet squat and thruster for a full-body blast.
To find the best adjustable kettlebells on the market, we sourced ten weights from leading brands and put them through some spicy sessions. We tried out a variety of moves, from KB swings and goblet squats to bicep curls and Turkish get-ups, before awarding each model a score for its design, ease of use and overall performance.
Top marks were awarded to the kettlebells that allowed us to change the weight quickly, smoothly and securely, with minimal shaking or rattling when in use. The best were also sturdy, easy to wield and had a compact design that didn’t obstruct any movement patterns.
Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones. Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges.
She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.
Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Luke Chamberlain is the ecommerce editor for Men’s Health UK where he compiles expert-led buying guides and in-depth product reviews across gym wear, fitness tech, supplements, and grooming. Responsible for testing everything from the latest gym headphones to the best manscaping tools, Luke also enlists the help of leading health and wellness experts to help readers make informed choices when shopping online – whether it's to debunk the latest viral hair growth trend or to get the lowdown on a new type of recovery tech. He also covers major sales events for Men’s Health, such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, scouting and verifying hundreds of discounts in order to recommend only the most genuine deals on offer. A magazine journalism graduate from the University of Sheffield in 2018, Luke has also worked as assistant editor for Outdoor Swimmer magazine and as an ecommerce writer for The Recommended. When he’s not testing the latest health and fitness products, he’s busy plotting routes for his next trail run or gravel ride out of London. Follow Luke on Instagram at @lukeochamb
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