I've had many emails lately from people asking me about this topic .
So, in case you weren’t familiar , there is a game called Kettlebell Sport (GS - check here where the “G” stands for “Girya,” or Kettlebell) which sprung out of Russia and made its way to the US in the mid-2000s.
Up until that time, the only types of kettlebells you could get were the cast iron “Strength & conditioning” type.
This is probably the standard shape kettlebell you’ve likely used or come across.
Here’s what the Competition Bells look like :
And here's what they look like compared to each other:
(Image courtesy: Zack Henderson)
Now, honestly, I’ve only used Comp Bells a couple of occasions .
And I like them.
But I’ve always used the cast iron kind and favor them .
Here’s why:Thicker Handles → Stronger Grip
Ever increasing bell size as weight gets heavier → More stability demand → More work → More variety
Cheaper (usually) → More bells
Bigger bells → Over 48kg if you want to go really heavy
Now that doesn’t mean Comp Bells are disadvantageous. Not at all.
Here are some benefits:
Same size, different weights → Consistent feel, probably more (higher) reps
Consistent size → Less stability demand → Easier to lift
Smaller handle diameter → Easier on the grip → Less forearm fatigue
Less forearm fatigue → Higher reps per set
… Which is probably why these are optimized for the repeated kettlebell lifting found in Kettlebell Sport.
And, finally , depending on the producer, you can get Adjustable Comp Bells, which are an “all-in-one” solution from 16kg - 32kg → Requires less storage
(Image courtesy: Bells of Steel)
However, the reality is this: The type of kettlebell you opt for is simply a choice - and it depends on you.
I recommend trying out both and seeing which you like better .
Ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s not the model of kettlebell you pick, it’s how you train with it that influences the results you get.
Unplanned workouts lead to random results.
Professionally designed programming = Measurable, predictable gains in strength & muscle + decreases in body fat.
Stay Strong,
Geoff Neupert.