The 6 Best Beginner Kettlebells Of 2023 + How To Use Them At Home

The first benefit of the Onni kettlebell is the quality construction. Each kettlebell is made from solid cast iron that not only lends long-term durability but consistency throughout the base and handle. The handle features a textured powder coat that makes it easy to grip even if your hands get a little slick while you’re working out (pro tip: chalk!).

While not sold in sets, each kettlebell is color-coded according to weight. That makes it easy to grab the right weight even if you’re super-setting or moving quickly through circuits.

Just over 400 reviewers give these kettlebells top marks for quality and value.

The Kettle Gryp isn’t a kettlebell at all. Essentially, it’s a clamp—and it’s pretty clever. “A kettlebell clamp option will turn a dumbbell into a kettlebell,” explains Paul Fischer, CPT, owner of Framework Personal Training. “This is a very good option that assists in multiple uses of equipment with space considerations.”

This clamp features a simple design: open the handles, line up the dumbbell on the foam insert, close the handles, snap the latch, and you’re ready for a kettlebell workout (or pretty close to it). While the grip is similar to a kettlebell, the weight distribution is not. That means not every kettlebell exercise will work with the Gryp, and that’s especially true the heavier you go. Still, if your home gym already has dumbbells and you’re interested in basic kettlebell exercises, this might be worth a closer look.

Another plus–there are over 8,300 Amazon reviews for the Kettlebell Gryp, with an overall rating of 4.5 stars.

These cast-iron kettlebells are a solid entry-level choice with weights that increase in five-pound increments from the lightest to the heaviest. The painted surface protects against corrosion, and the wide angle is designed to accommodate small to large hands.

On Amazon, 85% of more than 2,700 ratings are five stars. Reviewers say they’re a great buy for the money. However, a small percentage of people found the finish rough in spots, so that’s worth knowing upfront. Weight-lifting gloves can solve the roughness issue.

The big benefit of adjustable kettlebells is, well, adjustability. Turn the dial, and this kettlebell adjusts from 8 to 40 pounds. That opens the door to a lot of different exercises with a single piece of equipment, which is a big plus in a home gym. “Adjustable kettlebells are the best option, as they take up a small amount of space while giving the benefit of multiple weight options for your workouts,” says Bulay. “However, sometimes they aren’t as durable as other options.”

More than 6,000 reviewers seem pretty pleased with these adjustable kettlebells, though some customers did take issue with the plastic construction and straight handle, which may limit some exercises. Another word to the wise—the footprint isn’t excessively oversized, but people do comment on its taller height and oval shape.

An unavoidable consideration for fitness equipment that will live inside your home is how to minimize potential damage to the floors. That’s where these cast iron kettlebells with a metallic vinyl coating come in.

“For the home, I prefer quality vinyl or rubber-coated kettlebells to protect flooring and prevent rusting in some environments,” says Jamie Costello, MSC, vice president of fitness and sales at Pritikin Longevity Center. The vinyl coating leaves the handle clear for the best grip. Plus, different weights come in different colors, so you’ll always reach for the right one.

Reviews are admittedly limited, but customers are pleased across the board.

As the name implies, Kettlebell Kings specializes in kettlebells. Their classic cast-iron kettlebells have a powder coating designed to protect the iron and improve grip. They also have a wide range of weights—up to 203 pounds—and all but the heaviest four are color-coded and stamped.

Another consideration is the recessed logo. Since it’s not unusual for kettlebells to come into contact with various body parts during certain exercises, a recessed logo means nothing is digging painfully into your wrist or forearm during a set.

While these are an expensive choice, they do have a lifetime warranty. Plus, customers are exceedingly happy, giving these kettlebells an overall 4.8 rating.