Kettlebell - Recommend me a size

Khannie

I'm around 65KG at the moment (heavy for me). Was thinking of a either a 16KG, 20KG or 24KG kettlebell (it's a gift, for me). But actually I've never used one.

All advice welcome.

TommyKnocker

Hi Khannie

I think 16kg would be a good weight to start with until you get used to the technique of different lifts, but I expect you will soon out grow it.

Also for swings and squat type exercises 16kg will be pretty light.

I bought myself a set of 12's and 16's for Christmas and will be getting 24's and 28's in the not too distant future.


Best Regards,

M

Khannie

What weight are you BB if you don't mind me asking? If you think I'd grow out of the 16 quickly then I'd edge more towards the 20 or 24. I think I'd rather do heavy less frequently than lighter more frequently.

TommyKnocker

Hi Khannie

I am around 75kg.

The thing with the KB's I found was that the lightish weight is good for getting the technique down.

I started off with a pair of 16's. But I ended up with sore forearms from smacking the KB's off them due to my poor technique with cleans and snatches. That's why I bought the 12's.

But now both seem kind of light so I aim to move up in weight soon.

There is a place which runs training sessions and workshops in both RAW and a gym in Bridgefoot St, if you wanted you could look into maybe doing 1 or 2 sessins to get the technique down. Then you could probably go straight to the heavier weight with no problems. If you do the workshop (3.5 hours) the cost (€75) includes a 16kg KB to take away and a paper back manual with different routines. Check out http://www.buykettlebelldublin.com/ for more information

I will be going to the workshop in April myself. I had booked the March one, but it had been arranged for Mothers day by mistake and was cancelled

Also I think RAW have KB's available in the Gym and AFAIK they do a pay as you go option, so you could go in for a night and play around with them to see which weight you prefere. A kind of "try before you by" idea

Best Regards,

M

Khannie

Nice one, thanks. Wouldn't mind bashing my forearms tbh. They take quite a beating from holding pads as it is. Heading into raw sounds like just the ticket. I might try swinging around some dumbells too, just to get a feel for the weight involved.

Barry.Oglesby

Get two 16s. Now you have all the 16kg single arm variations plus 32kg presses, walks, front squats etc.

DamienH

I'd say get a 16 (or even two) aswell it's perfect for learning the basics. You can do swings, tgu's and snatches when you've got a bit of practice.

rubadub

Khannie wrote: »

What weight are you BB if you don't mind me asking?

I would have thought a more relevant question is how much can you dumbbell overhead press, or similar. There was a 24kg one on offer a while ago on http://www.buykettlebelldublin.com/node/371 there is another in that link on offer. I was tempted but thought it would be too much for me, I do dumbbell presses with ~23kg. I would have gone for 20kgs myself, but I have never used one and I see Barry is saying 16kgs but I am wondering if this is with high rep dynamic workouts in mind, might be better for you fighting guys.

Some place should offer a trade in deal as your strength increases. If you went for the training session with the "free" 16kg I expect they would let you pay a bit extra and get a 20kg if you felt you needed it at the end of the demo, or do B-Builders RAW idea.

Khannie

Barry.Oglesby wrote: »

Get two 16s. Now you have all the 16kg single arm variations plus 32kg presses, walks, front squats etc.

Hmmmm. This could be a runner alright.

rubadub wrote: »

I would have thought a more relevant question is how much can you dumbbell overhead press, or similar.

That's a very good question. I'll check it out tonight.

Can anyone tell me: Are those coated ones better or worse than uncoated ones? I would have thought bare metal would be better, especially when you're peeing sweat.

Oryx

Def a 16kg at least. Should be ok for clean & press, snatches etc. Probably a bit light for deadlifts and swings though, you should use a 20kg or 24 for those. I think having two weights or a pair you can combine is ideal.

As a for instance, the weight I started with was a 20kg, as I was only doing deads and swings, and I also use 12kgs now for anything above the head, but need a 16kg for that asap as Im outgrowing the 12s. And Im a gurl.

Dave Joyce

Hey Khannie, I know its a pain in the ass but I'd get a 12kgs for warming up and trying out new exercises to develop technique. If you find this handy enough then definately for swings, snatches and jerks etc, go for the 16kgs but knowing you, that will proberly be a bit light for any leg exercises (like any good Nak Muay:):))

cmyk

16kg's was suggested for me also, by one of the tutors on the ntc who also runs kettlebells ireland.

Question for people who have the experience with kb's, 16kg sounds fine for clean & press etc, but how does that transfer to the turkish getup, better going lighter to start?

Also I was told mick is probably the best around for quality and price, so if you're buying a couple of 16kg's khannie, I may be looking at the same so happy to see if he'd do us a deal on 4. PM me if you want.

Oryx

I prefer coated ones, because the handle needs to move in your hand during moves like cleans. I have one bare and pretty rough one that rips my hands. Use chalk if you sweat?

bubblyone

I'm kind of sorry I bought the kettlebell I did from buykettlebelldublin....I got a competition one in 12kg and while the weight is grand, it's huge looking and too unwieldy. It's been used as a door stop for months now. Wonder if they'd swap me for a normal one?

Definitely second opinions to get a class and decide from there. It will give you a good idea of what you can do and what you need....and I sincerely believe that correct form is crucial and very difficult to get from pictures or a video. It's like yoga-you think you're doing it right until somebody points out all the faults. When you do it right it feels totally different! I went to a great guy in Cork-Robbie Williams (seriously!)-in Fitnessworx gym and it was so worth it.

Deise Musashi

I'm using 20 or 24 for swings if I'm feeling strong.

Still using 16 for snatch.

I bought my sister a 12 for her Birthday and her husband (who trains with me) decided to go mad with it doing 50rep sets alternating with plank holds. He woke at four in the morning thinking he had kidney stones with the pain!

They are deceptive with the weight involved, probably best to try a few and give them a proper go.

TommyKnocker

bubblyone wrote: »

I'm kind of sorry I bought the kettlebell I did from buykettlebelldublin....I got a competition one in 12kg and while the weight is grand, it's huge looking and too unwieldy. It's been used as a door stop for months now. Wonder if they'd swap me for a normal one?

I have to admit I that actually prefer the competition style KB's to the other vareity.

Also the KB's from both Buy KettleBell Dublin and Irish lifting have smooth handles, so no ripping of the palms when doing exercies where the handle swivels in your hand. The only thing I would have against the KB's with the painted handles is whether the paint would rub off with sweaty hands leaving you with green palms

M

Khannie

Well....I flutered around with a 22KG dumbell last night and found it ok for overhead presses and swings and the like so I'm edging towards a 20 at the moment. Gonna pop into RAW to check them out.

justdoit

Just had a quick read of replies, but can't reiterate enough how important is it to get technique right and focus less on the size of the bells.

I have recently got a pair of 16kg's and one 24kg. I use the 24kg for swings and the 16kg's for overhead stuff, get-ups etc.

On its own a 16kg may seem light, but if you can get a pair you will be able to progress to using both at once, and you will continue to get value from them for a long time.

BTW, I'm 71kg and FWIW I got mine from http://www.wolverson-fitness.co.uk/

TommyKnocker

justdoit wrote: »

I got mine from http://www.wolverson-fitness.co.uk/

Just to say that these are the same KB's sold by Buy Kettlebell Dublin

Even have wolverton Fitness stamped on the side of them. I really like these KB's

Also while your at it check out the Clubbells. I bought a set of 14kg and 12kg and these are also fum to work with, just to mix things up a little.

Check out the videos below and there are more workout ideas on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxY1RnUWaak

M

jeff lebowski

I got mine from here: http://www.kettlebells.co.uk/

I bought the 16kg hollow fillable 1 after seeing it recommended in a magazine. You can put lead or steel shot into it (there's a 'plug' on the bottom you can open with an allen key) so as you get stronger you can add more weight. It's a bit bigger than the cast iron ones but I find it very good and it's nice to have the option to increase the weight. Think it goes up to 48kg (16kg for the KB then 32kg of stuff inside it)

Apparently the moving lead shot inside creates different forces etc. as you move it so it can hit your muscles in different ways.

Khannie

justdoit wrote: »

I have recently got a pair of 16kg's and one 24kg. I use the 24kg for swings and the 16kg's for overhead stuff, get-ups etc.

Thanks for that. Ideally I'd like 2 x 16 and a 24 but it's a gift for me (that I have to pick out) so budget is limited.

the drifter

Awh i want some now!

shootermacg

I've never tried kettles before but I do some kettle related exercises with dumbells (25kg) for the shoulders, start between the legs and end up in a press (think their called hang cleans).

Then 65kg is pretty light, so you don't want the weight throwing you around.
If you can't control a weight you need to go down a bit, I made that mistake and my wrist is still a bit screwed ^ ^.

Any1 recommend a good site for looking at the kettle workouts? I'm in a cut phaze from next month and I'm thinking this may be perfect to get the heart going.

cmyk

shootermacg wrote: »

Any1 recommend a good site for looking at the kettle workouts? I'm in a cut phaze from next month and I'm thinking this may be perfect to get the heart going.

Take a look at some of steve maxwell's stuff, he does a lot of kettlebell, club and rope work, should be a few videos on youtube

shootermacg

cmyk wrote: »

Take a look at some of steve maxwell's stuff, he does a lot of kettlebell, club and rope work, should be a few videos on youtube

Cool cheers mate!

Dave Joyce

Hey Khannie, check out www.aiklf.org if you're looking for KB's. J used to train with Frankie McConville and has developed a lot of sport specific KB work for Muaythai, great guy to train with if you ever get a chance.

Khannie

Cheers Dave. I'll give it a squizz.

justdoit

Khannie wrote: »

Thanks for that. Ideally I'd like 2 x 16 and a 24 but it's a gift for me (that I have to pick out) so budget is limited.

If I was to get only one, I'd still recommend 1 x 16kg. I had a class last night, and started with a 24kg, but went back and did most of the session with a 16kg- after twenty minutes of swings, clean, presses and get-ups, 16kg starts to feel bloody heavy for a guy of my (our) size. The 16kg will feel light for swings initially, but I've gone back to basics to really nail my form and make sure the basics are right...

DamienH

I agree with the above, 16 is the way to go to get technique down. When I got the sixteen I could mp a 27.5 dumbell, there was still loads to do with the 16 though. Sure you can always buy the 24 yourself once you get used to cleans and swings. I still use a 16 for bottom-up presses ( presses where the body of the kettlebell is above the handle ) and I can press the 32kb for reps.

discombobulate

Just in relation to RAW they have loads of different kettle bells available. Its only the classes that are pay as you go though and not use of the gym itself. The class times can be found here

I'd give them a ring before turning up though just to make sure though

Barry.Oglesby

Why don't you hang about until our seminar and have a feel through some of the ones we have and we'll be able to show you some stuff with them? Some you can pick up and use badly with heavier weight, but good form on some of the movements is more taxing than bad, swings bening the obvious one.

Gone Fishin

I've been using Kettlebells for about 2 years now and I find them brilliant. I use a 16kg, 20kg, 24kg and 32 kg bell. The 32kg I use just for swings and if I'm going to do a heavy snatch set using a 24kg bell, I'll warm up with a 32kg first. I use the 16kg bell for VO2 max (7 snatches in 15 seconds, then 15 seconds rest) x 60. You sweat like a dog doing it. Great for the shoulders, lats, abs and arms. If you have never used them before, go to classes - Kettlebells Ireland or somone similar. There are certified instructors out there. I have seen a lot of injuries caused by people "thinking" they know what they are doing but their form is miles off and end up doing damage. You need someone to correct your form the first couple of times.

Khannie

Barry.Oglesby wrote: »

Why don't you hang about until our seminar and have a feel through some of the ones we have and we'll be able to show you some stuff with them? Some you can pick up and use badly with heavier weight, but good form on some of the movements is more taxing than bad, swings bening the obvious one.

Cheers. Appreciate the offer and I'll take you up on it. I'll knock into you on Saturday with the money for the seminar anyway so I'll talk to you then if you're there.

cmyk

Barry.Oglesby wrote: »

Why don't you hang about until our seminar and have a feel through some of the ones we have and we'll be able to show you some stuff with them? Some you can pick up and use badly with heavier weight, but good form on some of the movements is more taxing than bad, swings bening the obvious one.

When is the seminar Barry?

Barry.Oglesby

Next Saturday April 3rd.

Details from me barry@informedperformance.com

cardio,shoot me

i may try get to that barry, altho ive said that about all your things :P have yet to make it to one!

cmyk

Barry.Oglesby wrote: »

Next Saturday April 3rd.

Details from me barry@informedperformance.com

Damn, won't be able to make that!