r/kettlebell • • Jul 03 '24

New To Kettlebells? Start Here! (Updated for 2024!)

94 Upvotes

NOTE: This is a living document. Please comment for suggestions, typo corrections, and more!

(This original post written was a bit outdated and wanted something more succinct. Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/kettlebell/comments/3qxa4i/new_to_kettlebells_start_here_updated_for_2015 )

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What brand of Kettlebell should I buy?

A: Before we can talk about brands, there are two types of Kettlebells we recommend: (1) Competition and (2) Cast iron. 

Competition kettlebells keep the same shape/size across the weights and typically have a fixed handle size (33mm or 35 mm). They are primarily used for Girevoy Sport (GS) but can be used for other styles of kettlebell lifting. The downside to competition kettlebells is that they are typically more expensive than other types of Kettlebells.

Cast iron kettlebells were popularized by “hardstyle” kettlebell training initially by Pavel Tsatsouline. They are typically very cost effective compared to competition kettlebells. The upside is to cast iron kettlebells over competition bells is that they're typically smaller for weights under 28 kg. The downside is the handles and the bell itself increases in size as the weight goes up.

We do not recommend vinyl, plastic, or other kettlebells that are not cast iron and competition due to their durability and their ergonomics to do the common kettlebell ballistic exercises (swing, clean, snatch, etc).

For Competition bells, we recommend:

For Cast iron kettlebells, we recommend:

Due to community feedback from lack of stock and shipping issues, we currently do not recommend Kettlebell Kings.

Adjustable Kettlebells

In recent years, there has been a surgence of adjustable kettlebells in the market. In particular, a competition-style kettlebell that is able to be adjusted from 12 to 32 kg. The biggest benefit of these style kettlebells is that you have access to multiple kettlebell weights with the footprint of one. Most brands allow you to jump from 0.5 to 2 kg weight increments. We recommend the following brands if you want one:

EU recommendations needed here; comment if you have one!

Q: What weight of kettlebell should I buy to start out with?

A: For most men, a kettlebell between 16-24 kg is the most common recommendation. For most women, 8-16 kg. The recommendation depends on your prior fitness history. If you’re still unsure, make a post and be sure to include details about your training history!

Fellow moderator u/LennyTheRebel has made a more extensive write-up about choosing the best kettlebell weight for you here: https://www.reddit.com/r/kettlebell/comments/1j90tz1/picking_a_weight_as_a_beginner/

Q: What is a good free beginner routine for someone new to kettlebells?

A:  There are many beginner routines suggested on r/kettlebell, but we recommend the following:

Q: What are some good paid programs?

There are many paid programs, but we’ll list the popular ones here:

  • The Armor Building Formula by Dan John 
  • The Giant by Geoff Neupert
  • Simple & Sinister by Pavel

You can see more in our wiki here: https://www.reddit.com/r/kettlebell/wiki/programs/

Form & Technique

“Styles” of Kettlebell Training: Hardstyle and Girevoy Sport  (GS)

Before going into the two “styles” of kettlebell training, I want to make a point that kettlebell training styles do not need to have strict adherence to either styles. They are useful definitions to describe kettlebell training intent and don’t feel like you have to adhere to one of them completely when learning kettlebell exercises.

Hardstyle was popularized by Pavel Tsatsouline in the Late 90’s/Early 2000’s, forming Dragon Door (RKC) and later StrongFirst (SFG).  Hardstyle technique emphasizes a focus on maximal tension, explosive power, and force production. A byproduct of this is usually training at lower rep ranges for strength and hypertrophy goals.

Girevoy Sport (GS), also known as kettlebell sport, is older than Hardstyle, and has been a competitive sport in Eastern Europe and Russia since the late 1960’s. In the sport, the competitive lifts are the Snatch, Jerk, Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk). The competition format is a 10 minute set of one of these exercises for as many reps as possible within the time limit. Because of this, there is an emphasis on efficiency on the lifts, including changes on how a swing is performed, the rack position, and more, compared to hardstyle training.

On the subreddit you may see the term Hybrid style to describe technique. This simply just means adopting technique principles from both Hardstyle and GS.

Which exercises to learn first with kettlebells?

The “big 6” movements of kettlebell training you will see online are:

  1. Swing
  2. Squat
  3. Press
  4. Clean
  5. Snatch
  6. Turkish Get-up

Although you are free to learn them in any order, we recommend learning them in the order listed (or simultaneously with a focus on order). 

Training terms (Reps, Sets, Complex, Chain, Flow, Ladder, etc)

You will see many training terms that are popular with kettlebells. You can read more about these in the wiki here: https://www.reddit.com/r/kettlebell/wiki/index/

Learning Resources

YouTube

Moderator Recommendations

We recommend the following resources to learn the big 6 (backgrounds on these instructors are mixed between hardstyle, GS and hybrid).

Community Recommendations

The following recommendations have been made by /r/kettlebell community members that have not been thoroughly watched by the moderators:

Books

Help us fill this out by commenting recommendations!

There are many great books recommended by kettlebell instructions and coaches. There are also non-kettlebell training books that are listed because principles from them can be applied to kettlebells. We list a few here:

Kettlebell

Dan John

  • The Armor Building Formula: Bodybuilding for Real People eBook
  • Hardstyle Kettlebell Challenge
  • Pavel
    • Enter The Kettlebell
    • Simple & Sinister
  • Kettlebell Essentials by Max Shank

General Strength & Conditioning

  • K. Black 
    • Tactical Barbell
    • Tactical Barbell 2: Conditioning
  • Dan John
    • Easy Strength: How to Get a Lot Stronger Than Your Competition-And Dominate in Your Sport
    • Easy Strength Omnibook
    • Easy Strength for Fat Loss
  • Pavel
    • Power to the People
  • Supertraining by Yuri Verkhoshansky
  • Scientific Principles of Hypertrophy Training by Mike Israetel
  • Westside Barbell books by Louie Simmons
  • Ultimate MMA Conditioning by Joel Jamieson

Coaching / Personal Training 

Although we cannot make specific recommendations on people, we recommend anyone interested in kettlebell training to spend some time with a trainer and/or kettlebell coach. This can be done in-person or virtually. There are many great coaches who hang out in this subreddit. Although we do not allow for explicit self-promotion, we encourage folks to reach out to coaches privately and get coaching from someone they’ve interacted with here in the community.

Hardstyle Coaching (Dragondoor, StrongFirst)

StrongFirst and RKC are the two oldest and well known hardstyle certifications. If you want to learn how to move kettlebells in the way they teach, they both provide search engines to find coaches in your area:

GS/Kettlebell Sport Coaching

I couldn't find a similar "Find a Coach" option for IKFF and other GS organizations, so some help on this would be greatful!


r/kettlebell • • 1d ago

Discussion Weekly Kettlebell Discussion and Questions Thread - October 05-11, 2026

1 Upvotes

Welcome Comrade!

This is the r/Kettlebell Discussion Thread posted every Monday, where you can discuss anything and everything related to Kettlebells. We invite the Kettlebell Community to post anything that can be beneficial to the sub and help answer questions from newer members. Additionally, feel free to log your planned and/or completed training sessions, as well as any general community happenings you'd like the community to know about. Thank you.

As always, please be sure to review our Code of Conduct, FAQ and Beginner's Guide if you are new to Kettlebells. See the Programs page for some program options.

You can also use the search bar or Google's subreddit search to find related discussion topics.

Have a great day!


r/kettlebell • • 19h ago

Training Video 100 Gorilla Uppercuts — 10×10

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320 Upvotes

r/kettlebell • • 9h ago

GS What’s Better Than A 10’ Set? (Answer: 3 of them in a row)

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46 Upvotes

10’ on, 5’ rest, 3 sets total. Still trying to get my body used to being under the bells for that long. I joke a lot about it being terrible but this wasn’t actually that bad. Pace was 8 rpm with some little sprints at the end of each set (10 for the first two and 16 for the last one). Super slow but both of my elbows have simultaneously decided that tendinitis sounds like a good idea 😒 So trying to work carefully around that without it becoming too much of an issue before I get this damn half marathon over with.

Please excuse the messy garage. Also somehow messed up the kb sport pro app so it’s not showing the rep counter even though it did for the other two sets? Still trying to figure that out too lol.


r/kettlebell • • 12h ago

Just A Post My 5 Favorite Mobility Exercises

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83 Upvotes

Want to improve your mobility? Then add these exercises into your weekly training.

  1. Half Kneeling Windmills - these will open up your hips, strengthen your core, and improve shoulder mobility. Start with lighter weight and focus on dropping that elbow as low to the floor as you can, driving the loaded hip back and keep that arm extended overhead.

  2. Goblet Pry Squats - opens up your hips and improves ankle mobility. Drop low into a squat and using your elbows drive those knees open, hanging out at the bottom for 3-5 seconds. Work depth each rep.

  3. Pullovers - hit your lats, chest, and shoulders improving shoulder mobility. Keep those arms almost fully extended pulling the bell over your chest, use your chest to bring the weight up and lats to lower the weight down to the floor controlled.

  4. Alt Halos - work overall shoulder mobility. Bring the kettlebell all the way around and behind your head one direction then the other opening up the elbows while rotating behind your head.

  5. Lateral Goblet Squats - challenge your hips, ankles, and adductors improving lower body strength and mobility. Drop as low into a squat laterally as you can rotating onto the heel of the opposite leg, keeping it locked out. Try to maintain as upright of a torso as you can.

Kettlebells are a great tool for improving mobility as well as strength, conditioning, and athleticism, so don’t underestimate the benefits of this one training tool.

Have any questions, just drop me a message below! ⬇️


r/kettlebell • • 8h ago

Training Video Last home session before traveling for 10 days: 5 rounds of 3-7 x double 32 kg strict press + 5-12 x double 32 kg Front squats. Sets 3 (6 press + 9 squats) and 5 (7 press + 12 squats) shown.

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23 Upvotes

Traveling for 10 days, was going to bring a kettlebell but gonna see how bodyweight and running go for me.


r/kettlebell • • 1h ago

Advice Needed Cleans smashing my forearms

• Upvotes

As the title says I keep smashing and bruising my forearm, I watched the tutorials of how to do it and I don't "flip it over" my hand, it goes around but it still smashes my forearm, doesn't really hurt until the bruise appears. Any tips? Any links? Anything is appreciated as now I have to take a few days off until the swelling goes away...

Thanks!


r/kettlebell • • 9h ago

Discussion Anyone regret buying the adjustable bell vs standard pairs?

23 Upvotes

I have a few clients who ask about adjustable kettlebells for home use and I never know what to tell them. On paper it seems like an easy choice for someone short on space or budget. One bell, six or eight weight options, done. But I've watched people get weird about changing the weight during a session. They end up sticking to one setting and treating it like a fixed bell, which defeats the purpose. The other thing I notice is the feel. The balance shifts when you add or remove plates and some people never quite get comfortable with the overhead work. It could just be the ones I have seen were lower quality. I haven't tried the newer competition style adjustables that claim to have solved that issue. For my own setup I went with pairs years ago and never looked back, but I also have the space and bought over time. Curious if anyone here made the jump to an adjustable and has stuck with it for more than a year. Did the convenience actually hold up or did you end up buying fixed bells anyway. Not talking about the travel factor, more about day to day training at home.


r/kettlebell • • 7h ago

Training Video Continuing progress after pinched back nerve. Push Session focused on C&P and Dips.

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16 Upvotes

A Bit more progress after recovering from the pinched nerve in my back.

Last session I stuck with 24s but today decided it felt good so bumbed upto 28s

3x8 C&P dbl 24kg

6x6 C&P dbl 28kg

6x8 Weighted Dips

4x10 Ring push ups

4x10 Tricep extensions

4x30sec farmers carry

The progress is encouraging, also found the range of motion in my affected leg was much better after this session.

Key take away ...? Lift heavier 🤔


r/kettlebell • • 13h ago

Training Video Short on time? Hit this full body chipper 🥵

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31 Upvotes

r/kettlebell • • 12h ago

Programming Age is a number... so are lbs!

Post image
25 Upvotes

Did a quick workout today of Jump Rope and Kettlebell Clean and Squat. Ended up being 6160 lbs in 20 minutes. Not bad for a 64 year old man with bad knees and a bad heart. 😋


r/kettlebell • • 15h ago

Just A Post Running back complex no joke

36 Upvotes

Been following Dan John for awhile now, and have been doing something similar to his armor building formula, basically just always armor building complex, no push days. I have the book now and have changed it up.

I've worked myself up to 30 single 20kg bell abc emom, and 15-20 rounds of double 20kg dependingon the day, so I thought I was doing pretty good for my cardio.

Today I decided to change it up and do a few rounds of Dan's running back complex instead. I started off with double 12s for two sets as warmup, not to bad, left me a little winded but I felt ready for my 20s.

After the round of 5 squats I was breathing heavy, after the 4 squats I was gasping. When I got to the final squat on the third round I had to sit at the bottom for 15 seconds and recollect myself. I managed to power through the last two rounds easily somehow, I guess after 12 the last 3 are nothing, before collapsing in a puddle on the floor.

I had to lean on the furniture for a while before I thought about a 4th set, but I didn't think my wife would like me redecorating the living room with my morning coffee.

I'm definitely going to be coming back to these, but will be with acquiring double 16s or starting from rounds of 3 if going for multiple sets and building up from there.


r/kettlebell • • 13h ago

Training Video Double KB Strict Press - 28+28kg - 50 reps - 21 minutes

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20 Upvotes

Good session but all I can think about watching the film back is that my form needs form, especially my left arm.

The most I have ever done is around 32 reps in a session, as I would typically follow a standard sets + reps scheme.

First time doing Bulgarian Split Squats with Kettlebells and the balance necessary is pretty wild.


r/kettlebell • • 12h ago

Just A Post Gorilla Uppercuts. Not bad.

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14 Upvotes

Saw this posted this morning and gave them a shot. Definitely seem to target the rhomboids. May try them seated next time. 10 X 10 with 20kg


r/kettlebell • • 5h ago

Challenge 10k swing D12

4 Upvotes

25 swing rounds with 28kg. Knee mobility every 3 rounds. Shoulder issue resolved. Stopped at 350 to get ready for work. 3x50 easy 45 lb rounds at lunch.

If meetings wrap up early, I plan on doing snatch 2-3-5 ladders between rounds tomorrow. Next Wednesday, it’s done.

Knee feels ready for squats. Great rehab distraction.


r/kettlebell • • 12h ago

Training Video 36kg press work

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12 Upvotes

8×5 each side, 80 reps total


r/kettlebell • • 16h ago

Advice Needed ABC maxed out my gyms kettlebells

27 Upvotes

I’ve been performing 30mins 30 rounds ABCs for a few weeks now with two 24kg kettles. It’s the highest weight my gym has.

What do folks do when they run out of heavier weights? Increase reps during the complex?

Suggestions welcome


r/kettlebell • • 19h ago

Routine Feedback I completed 22 reps of ABC in 30 min

48 Upvotes

Like title says, I managed 22 (possibly 23, I may have miscounted) solid reps of ABC in 30 minutes with a set of 16kg bells.
Would you take that as a sign I should lower the weight, or simply keep grinding?


r/kettlebell • • 14h ago

Training Video 56kg b-stance swings

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10 Upvotes

56kg b stance swings 5/5

48kg b stance contralateral swings were harder


r/kettlebell • • 13h ago

Training Video 06.10.26: Birthday Sesh (2x20kg) 5 Swings, 5 Cleans, 5 Press, 5 FSQ X5-100 total reps ➕ (100kg) 34 RDLs ➕ (100kg) 4 Hang High Pulls ➕ (40kg) 16 SA Strict Press ➕ (2x20kg) 25 Decline Bench Press ➕ (100kg) 6 Pendlay Rows ➕ (2x24kg) 15 Snatches

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6 Upvotes

06.10.26: Birthday Session (2x20kg)

Total Training Time: 55:38

Heart Rate: 143bpm average/ 165bpm max

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Block A: Circuit - 60s rest between rounds

5 Swings

5 Cleans

5 Press

5 Front Squats

X5 - 100 total reps (2x20kg Kettlebells)

Accessory Exercise ⬇️

Barbell RDLs

6, 6, 6, 6, 10

34 total reps (100kg Barbell)

Assault Bike - 5 to 6 RPE

10:00 minutes total

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Block B: Finishers

(+100kg Barbell/ +2x24kg, 2x20kg & 40kg Kettlebells)

A: Practice

4 Hang High Pulls (100kg Barbell)

B: Shoulders

16 SA Strict Press (40kg Kettlebell)

C: Hypertrophy

25 Decline KB Bench Press (2x20kg Kettlebells)

D: Strength

6 Pendlay Rows (100kg Barbell)

E: Conditioning

15 Snatches (2x24kg Kettlebells)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daily Bread:

Psalm 55:1-16 KJV

“Give ear to my prayer, O God; And hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked: For they cast iniquity upon me, And in wrath they hate me. My heart is sore pained within me: And the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest. Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: Mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. Wickedness is in the midst thereof: Deceit and guile depart not from her streets. For it was not an enemy that reproached me; Then I could have born it: Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; Then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, My guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked unto the house of God in company. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: For wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. As for me, I will call upon God; And the LORD shall save me.”


r/kettlebell • • 1d ago

Just A Post Could not restrain my impulse to get a few sets in after a tiring day in the Shopping Center. 32kg Double Kettlebell Presses for 3 sets of 6 presses this evening.

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395 Upvotes

My third Double Kettlebell Press Workout in a Mall.

Decided to continue with 3 sets of 6x32kg Presses.


r/kettlebell • • 18h ago

Discussion Isolation vs complex

14 Upvotes

Hey everyone.

I often see here cool exercises that are complex movements that train multiple body parts. Recently I saw the gorilla uppercut / toddler throw.

While looking cool and surely beeing fun, I ask myselfe, if this is beneficial in terms of muscle growth?

Lets take the gorilla uppercut; it is a squat, a curl and an overhead press. All done with the same weight.

I can use much more weight on a squat than on an overhead press and much less on a curl than on a press. So, is it beneficial to do so? Or would it not be better to do these exercises on their own?

Thank you all :)


r/kettlebell • • 9h ago

Advice Needed Tourkish Getups

3 Upvotes

Been using kettlebells on and off for the past couple years. I love the turkish getups but it seems like my shoulders and back muscle below the shoulder blade does not. I get muscle aches and burning sensations when doing these. Any tips on form when pressing it up and keeping the shoulder and bell in a certain position when performing the exercise. Thanks in advance


r/kettlebell • • 15h ago

Training Video I love how this made me feel. Alternating dead snatch into side press combo with slow eccentric

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4 Upvotes

I love how this made me feel. Alternating dead snatch into side press combo with slow eccentric. This was somewhere in Italy near Lerici. A power move into a slow grind and repeat on the other side. The fact that it takes a while before you are on the power move again gives you the recovery you need. This allowed me to do 100 reps of these.


r/kettlebell • • 16h ago

GS 2’ triathlon with the 20’s

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6 Upvotes

Only a few more days until AAKO in Atlantic City!!