If you’ve been building out your at-home gym for the past few years, it’s likely that you’re already stocked up on dumbbells, yoga mats and barbells. But there’s probably one free weight that your workout space is missing: a kettlebell.
With a large handle and smooth finish, kettlebells fit comfortably in your hands and act as a versatile fitness tool to help exercise your whole body. Not only are they easy to use, but they are rising in popularity due to their ability to help users improve their strength while boosting their flexibility and cardio.
However, not all kettlebells are created equal. To help you find the best options on the market and find out why they're so beneficial, we scoured various retailers for all the most-loved kettlebells available right now, as well as garnered insight from fitness experts. From the classic kettlebell design to an adjustable option, we have all the preferred picks below.
Benefits of using a kettlebell
If you prefer to do your daily workouts from the comfort of your own home and skip the pricey gym memberships, kettlebells are the ultimate solution.
“Kettlebells are a great investment for your home gym because they give you a lot of bang for your buck,” TODAY fitness contributor, certified personal trainer and yoga and Pilates instructor Stephanie Mansour previously told TODAY.com. “Not only are they a strength-training tool, but they also allow you to get in a cardiovascular workout while you’re at it. The cardio comes from the swinging motion you can perform with the weight.”
Why are kettlebells so beneficial? “What makes kettlebells such an effective piece of equipment is that the odd center of gravity that requires you to recruit stabilizing muscles to do traditional exercises,” she continued. “This turns every exercise, whether it’s an upper body, lower body or cardio exercise, into a full-body workout that fires up the core.”
Start TODAY fitness expert Danielle Gray also stated that “kettlebells are a versatile, beginner-friendly modality that can make your core workouts more effective and varied, plus they’re fun!” She advises individuals to “meet yourself where you’re at. Even adding just one or two of these exercises into your routine can make a big difference in your strength and stability. Something is always better than nothing!”
Best kettlebells for an at-home gym
With over 86% of Amazon shoppers rating it five stars, this kettlebell is a great option for anyone looking for the usual model. Encased with vinyl and designed with a flat bottom, it was created with the intention of noise reduction and floor protection during workouts. Plus, it’s super affordable.
This budget-friendly kettlebell previously won a Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Award for best budget at-home gym essential. Available from 10 to 40 pounds, each weight is a different color to make it easy to recognize one from another.
“This is a classic basic kettlebell,” TODAY health reporter Sarah Jacoby previously told us. “I like that it has the vinyl coating to protect my apartment when I inevitably drop it or just put it down too quickly.”
While this has all the usual aspects of a typical kettlebell, there is one element that sets it apart from the rest: a unique base that works to stabilize the kettlebell both during and after use. Plus, this rubber foundation adds extra protection to your floors when placing the weight down after working out.
If you have a bunch of weights in your home already, it might be more cost-effective to simply buy this tool. Designed to turn any dumbbell into a kettlebell, it can hold up to 55 pounds and is compatible with any standard-sized equipment.
Created with a soft material to prevent injuries or damage to your home gym, this kettlebell is a safer choice for those who aren’t as familiar with using kettlebells. The large handle is also ergonomically designed for a better grip, making users feel more secure during their workouts.
“I’ve had these ones for about five years!” raves senior social media editor Kate McCarthy. “They’re super basic, no nonsense and reasonably priced. They’re not “aesthetic” or anything, but super durable and great for a beginner or someone who is just learning about kettlebells.”
Looking for a conventional kettlebell set? This 2023 Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Award-winning option is for you. Featuring five-, 10- and 15-pound kettlebells, users can perform a variety of exercises with their preferred weight.
“I tested the kettlebell set for the awards and still have them/love them,” says commerce editor Vivien Moon. “They’re easy to store and I love that they come with a stand.”
While not your typical-looking kettlebell, this option helps users feel a bit safer than when using the usual cast-iron design. The reason? It features reinforced plastic handles and adjustable soft weights that range from 10 to 30 pounds.
Consider this weight an upgrade from your usual kettlebell design. Created in a circular style to evenly distribute weight, the Bala Power Ring is easy to use during more than 75 workout moves — squats and presses included. After trying the brand’s Bala Bangles and absolutely loving them, we can’t wait to give this one-of-a-kind equipment a try, too.
“I also have the Bala ring, which isn’t a kettlebell necessarily, but I like to use it in that style as well,” notes Moon.
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How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources to provide a list of reputable products (in this case, kettlebells). We also comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on kettlebells. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Stephanie Mansour is a TODAY fitness contributor, a certified personal trainer and a yoga and Pilates instructor.
- Danielle Gray is a Start TODAY fitness expert, kettlebell-certified celebrity trainer, stretching and flexibility coach and founder of Train Like a Gymnast.
- Sarah Jacoby is a health reporter at TODAY.com.
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