10 Best Kettlebell Weights for When You’re Tired of Bodyweight Exercises

If you don't have space for a larger piece of gym equipment like an exercise bike or treadmill, chances are, your home workout routine is getting a little stale. I mean, there are only so many bodyweight workouts you can do ... right?

Kettlebells are versatile pieces of equipment that can be used for strength training, balance, and even cardio. We chatted with exercise specialist Kymberly Nolden to learn all about working out with them. “Kettlebells can be a fun addition to any weight lifting program,” she says. “You can do anything from kettlebell-specific moves like swings, cleans, and complexes to simply using them in place of a traditional dumbbell.”

For cardio, Nolden recommends the kettlebell swing. “It’s a whole new challenge for your body to adjust to, rather than simply doing strength exercises, and then hopping on a treadmill to do cardio separately,” she says.

The Best Kettlebell Weights

• Best Overall: Everyday Essentials All-Purpose Solid Cast Iron Kettlebell
• Best Budget: Yes4All Vinyl-Coated Kettlebell
• Best Splurge: Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell
• The Viral Pick: Kettle Gryp Adjustable Portable Weight Grip
• Most Versatile: Merrithew 5-Pound Soft Kettlebell Weight (2-Pack)
• Best for Beginners: Body Glove Kettlebell (5 Pounds)
• Best Kettlebell Set: BalanceFrom Wide Grip 3-Piece Kettlebell Set
• Best Water-Filled Option: Bosu HB25 Water-Filled Kettlebell
• Best Adjustable Option: NewMe Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell Handle
• Best Sandbag: Jemets Adjustable Kettlebell Sandbag

What to Consider

Overall, Nolden says that kettlebells are a safe and effective way to switch up your at-home workout, since they target many different fitness goals. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind before you make your purchase:

➥ Fitness Level and Weightlifting Experience

Beginners with little-to-no weightlifting experience should start at the lower end of the weight spectrum (anywhere from 5 to 18 pounds for women and around 30 pounds for men), and build up as they get stronger and more used to lifting. Your ideal start weight is the weight at which you can do five reps comfortably. Once you can easily do 20 reps, you can move up to more advanced — i.e. heavier — weights.

According to Kettlebell Kings, a good range of kettlebell weight levels for men is around 18 to 53 pounds. For women, it's typically within 13 to 35 pounds.

➥ Types of Exercise

Kettlebell workouts typically fall under two categories — ballistic (or explosive) and grind. Ballistic exercises involve lots of jumps and throws (like the Nolden-recommended kettlebell swings), which means a lighter weight might be better at offering you more control. Grind exercises are more stationary strength-building exercises like deadlifts and presses. These workouts fare better with heavier — aka more stable — kettlebells.

➥ Handles

The majority of kettlebells fall under two categories of handle design — competition and cast iron. Competition kettlebells are more advanced, and have square handles that fit only one hand. This means your grip doesn't slide around during use, but it can also limit the kind of exercises you do, as many kettlebell workouts use two hands. Cast iron kettlebells have a wider handle that can fit two hands, and are ideal for most people's needs.

➥ Design Extras

The main design details to look out for are handle thickness or width. If you can't wrap your fingers around the handle, you'll put extra strain on your forearms later on during a workout — and the bell's base. The best kettlebell has a natural flat-base bottom to keep it from sliding around the floor, but it also doesn't come with feet or stoppers that dig uncomfortably into your arms. A non-slip finish on the handles is also practical if you have a sweaty grip. Everything else — like overall grip feel and smoothness of the coating — is a matter of preference.

Need some inspo? Worry not: There are accessories like workout guides, and even kettlebell exercise cards to help get you started on the right track. Get your swing on now and shop the best kettlebells — from soft picks to adjustable options to traditional bells.