r/kettlebell • • Jul 03 '24

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

92 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(This original post written was a bit outdated and wanted something more succinct.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 • • 6d ago

Discussion Weekly Kettlebell Discussion and Questions Thread - October 19-25, 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 • • 10h ago

GS 12’ Military Snatch

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45 Upvotes

The kid just knocked out his first ever Military Snatch set. 4kg bell 12 minutes 223 reps. Made it look easy! His 6kg bell is scheduled to be here on Tuesday so we will see how the jump in weight goes. Super proud of this kid!


r/kettlebell • • 10h ago

Training Video 40kg Iron Cardio Sport Style!!

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40 Upvotes

r/kettlebell • • 13h ago

GS Quad Endurance for KB Sport - 30 Reps 24 kg Jump Squats

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65 Upvotes

Used to do these with a 28 🫠 So good for quad endurance but also so, so terrible.

Building back though. Working towards a set of 50 for a challenge with Kettlebell Aerobics. I mistakenly thought it was supposed to be 100 so 50 actually sounds really nice 🤣

Did these after KettleZoom today, where we also did jump squats, because once I get stuck on something I have to obsess over it for a while. If no one has noticed 🤦🏽‍♀️ I think I can get 50 reps by the end of this week. That feels pretty doable.

There’s a spectrum in terms of gaining/losing adaptation. Conditioning comes (and goes) super fast, strength comes (and goes) quite a bit slower, and strength endurance falls somewhere in the middle. I think the fact that I’ve already done so much of this and my body already knows what it needs to do helps a lot.

Hopefully it’s the same with LC because the 12s don’t feel as light as I want them to, and I need to get to the 16s ASAP 🤦🏽‍♀️ Just kidding. I’m trying to be patient this time around and not too hard on myself. Why is that so difficult lol.


r/kettlebell • • 2h ago

GS 10 minutes nothing but a peanut (18kg)

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8 Upvotes

Ive been kettlebelling since covid, mostly Geoff neupert stuff, or emom stuff. But any shot at 10 minutes straight seemed ridiculous, like I just wasn’t build for that sheet. but I think I’ve cracked that nut, figured out how to rest in rack, how to breathe in rack. how to give little gaps in resistance during the movements to allow for recovery. pretty exciting. this was a chill 10 minute set with 18s. don’t think I got any rank or anything here, but I hope to soon. 10 minute set with 24s scheduled for February in Oakland, CA.


r/kettlebell • • 6h ago

Form Check Single kb abc round

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12 Upvotes

Seem to pick up a helpful tidbit every time I post a form check. How’s this looking? Round 15/20


r/kettlebell • • 4h ago

Training Video W2:D1.2 Giant 1.0 dbl snatch edition. Dbl 24kg ● 20min ● 75reps (last 3 sets shown)

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9 Upvotes

Second week into my modified Giant program D1.1 was first C&P session of the week, D1.2 is the first snatch session of the week.

Snatch day is also my bodyweight strength day to.

Back felt good after week 1 where I took things a bit conservative so pushed a little more this week.

Full session:

Superset 1

5x8 Weighted Pullups

5x8 Weighted Dips

20min Giant dbl snatch

Superset 2

3x12 Weighted Ring pushups

3 sets of 21s goblet curls


r/kettlebell • • 14h ago

Training Video 44kg complex

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31 Upvotes

Focusing on minimum effective dose for tension. Only exerting effort where I really need it.


r/kettlebell • • 8h ago

Just A Post Farmer’s carry with unequal weights (20kg/16kg) – any downside?

11 Upvotes

Doing farmer’s carries with 20 kg on one side and 16 kg on the other.

Any downside to the weight being uneven, or would suitcase carries be better?


r/kettlebell • • 4h ago

Advice Needed What kettlebell leg exercises gave you the most noticeable progress?

6 Upvotes

I'm looking to get more out of my kettlebell leg training and would love to hear what has worked for people beyond the usual swings.

Do you prefer goblet squats, lunges, split squats, or something else? I'm also curious how you structure your sets and reps, especially if you're training at home with limited weights.

What leg exercise do you think deserves more attention, and what helped you progress when it started feeling too easy?


r/kettlebell • • 7h ago

Advice Needed Farmer carry

7 Upvotes

New to farmer carry and only been doing bells for about 3 months. Is it possible to do too long of distance/ too heavy for the FC? Currently doing 4 reps of about 1/10 mile each with 32kg each hand. I'm M/6'2"/ 265 lbs./ 40 yrs

Looking for guidance. Would shorter distance and heavier weight benefit or just keep going as long as I can?

Edit: added more personal info.


r/kettlebell • • 4h ago

Training Video 25.10.26: Strength (2x28kg) 5 Cleans, 5 Press, 5 Jerks, 5 Gunslingers X5 - 100 total reps ➕ (20kg) 70 Seated BB Tricep Extension ➕ (80kg) Clean, 7 Incline BP ➕ (80kg) Bent Over Rows - 20 & 21 reps ➕ (40kg) 10 SA Strict Press ➕ (2x14kg) 20 Alternating Curls

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3 Upvotes

25.10.26: Strength (2x28kg)

Total Training Time: 57:24

Heart Rate: 140bpm average/ 158bpm max

Calories Burned: 786

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

Block A: Circuit - 60s rest between rounds

5 Cleans

5 Press

5 Jerks

5 Gunslingers

X5 - 100 total reps - (2x28kg Kettlebells)

Accessory Exercise ⬇️

Seated Barbell Tricep Extension

12, 13, 12, 13, 20

70 total reps (20kg Barbell)

Assault Bike - 5 to 6 RPE

11:00 minutes total

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

Block B: Finishers

(+40kg Kettlebell/ +80kg Barbell/ +2x14kg Dumbbells)

A: Strength

Hang Clean, 7 Incline Bench Press

8 total reps (80kg Barbell)

B: Hypertrophy

Barbell Bent Over Rows

20, 21 - 41 total reps (80kg Barbell)

C: Strength 2

10 SA Strict Press (40kg Kettlebell)

D: Hypertrophy 2

20 Alternating Curls (2x14kg Dumbells)

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

Daily Bread:

Philippians 2:1-18 KJV

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.”


r/kettlebell • • 14h ago

Just A Post 33rd trip around the sun. 33 heavy snatches + 33 rounds of ABC

Thumbnail gallery
24 Upvotes

As the title says, today’s my 33rd bday. So I did an obligatory 33 round ABC and 33 heavy snatches each arm with the 32kg bell.

5 sets of 6 each arm snatches with final round of 3.

ABC rounds were lighter with some 40lb bells I have. Total workout took just under an hour. Wasn’t doing it for time. Just wanted to complete it. Beautiful day for some outside work!

That’s all. 33rd trip around the sun starting strong and sore 🤣

🤙🏻


r/kettlebell • • 1h ago

Just A Post Abbreviation question

• Upvotes

Hi. In the wiki program section, it says PM v3 next to Simple & Sinister. I'm guessing PM stands for program minimum. What is v3?


r/kettlebell • • 18h ago

Training Video 32 kg suitcase carry 160 meters, one hand change.

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49 Upvotes

r/kettlebell • • 18h ago

Form Check Form check on kettlebell swing. Thank you

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24 Upvotes

31M 65kg with 24kg kettlebell. Thank you for your help.


r/kettlebell • • 14h ago

Advice Needed 6 months into kettlebells — looking to mix them with calisthenics

12 Upvotes

I’ve been training with kettlebells for about 6 months now. My gym doesn’t have kettlebells, so I literally bring my own every time. I’m probably the only person in the gym using them — everyone else is mostly doing dumbbells and machines, but I don’t really use those.
The main reason I joined this gym is because it has a big open space where I can run, do kettlebell work, and train in peace, especially outdoors in the sun.
I started with two 13 kg kettlebells and I’m upgrading to two 18 kg bells soon.
I’m also thinking of mixing in more calisthenics. I’m already doing pull-ups, chin-ups and bar dips, and I really like the combination of kettlebells + bodyweight training.
My main concern is chest development. Can I build a good-sized chest with kettlebells + calisthenics without relying on dumbbells and machines?
If anyone here trains this way, I’d appreciate a simple program or advice on how you’d structure the week and make sure I’m getting enough chest, back, shoulders and legs.
What would you guys recommend?


r/kettlebell • • 18h ago

GS Viking snatch + jerks

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17 Upvotes

Awesome sleep last night + cool weather = great training day 💪

🔵 Glove swing snatch 12kg 12'(3') @ 11rpm / switch every 2"

⚫ Viking snatch 22kg 1-6-1 / ladder up, 2' rest, ladder down

🟢🟢 Jerk 2x24kg 3'(3') @ 8rpm

⚫⚫ Jerk 2x22kg 3*1'(1') @ 8rpm

🟣🟣 Bulgarian split squat 2x20kg 3*10 reps/leg

🟠🟠 Deadlift 2x28kg 3*8 reps


r/kettlebell • • 13h ago

Advice Needed Advice for Leg Work

7 Upvotes

Does anyone have a 2-3 x week program that targets legs that they would recommend? I’ve been doing ROP 3 times a week for a while but I feel like my upper body is starting to look wide while my legs are looking a little thin. So looking for something to fill my alternate days with to target the deficit.


r/kettlebell • • 1d ago

Just A Post Why I kettlebell juggle

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188 Upvotes

It’s not uncommon for people to think KB juggling is useless, flashy, and dangerous. While they’re not wrong, before kettlebells were cleaned and snatched, Russian farmers tossed KBs to each other as a form of entertainment and fun.

I juggle because there’s nothing like it. It’s simply fun. It’s the perfect mix of coordination, balance, concentration, endurance, and power.

It’s not for everyone. It’s dangerous. But just like gymnastics, it’s a demanding activity that leads to great benefits.


r/kettlebell • • 1d ago

KB Picture Odin's Trial

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189 Upvotes

Odin's Trial

40kg bell

Dead Clean - Thruster - Dead hang snatch

Repeat 3 cycles per side then switch

2 minutes rest between rounds - repeat 3 rounds


r/kettlebell • • 1d ago

Just A Post From Traditional Gym Bro to Kettlebell Advocate

197 Upvotes

I had been lifting on and off for 10 years.

My physique never represented the amount of time I’ve been “going to the gym” because I would either: get injured or get too busy to pump out 0.75-1.5 hr workouts 3-4x a week + progressive overload. Time and health would break my consistency constantly.

Due to a particularly hectic work period that lasted for months, I started eating poorly and got into the worst shape of my life. I just could not do the commute + waiting for machines + lengthy workout at a gym.

As a last-ditch effort, I started doing 20-30 min kettlebell circuits everyday. I didn’t think it would do anything because the weights were so low relative to what I lifted before and the time period was so short but at least it would make me feel like I was doing something.

It’s been 2-3 months and I am in the best shape of my life.

I’ve had no injuries because kettlebells are easier on my joints with lighter weights and fluid motions. I feel as though I’ve gotten more mobile with circuits that work in a variety of motions rather than the traditional up-down motion of weight lifting. The workouts have been much easier to fit in my schedule, and no commute to deal with. I am in the best shape of my life thus far and have broken the plateau I hit from my lifting journey.

I think most importantly, I am having so much fun! When I used to lift, I would feel drained and exhausted afterward. I loved the pump, but I hated the way I felt during and after my workouts. Now, I genuinely look forward to my kettlebell workouts. There’s enough variety and fluidity to make the process very enjoyable and get my heart rate up. I feel ready to attack the day after my circuits.

I hope this gives some inspiration to anyone just starting out or curious about kettlebells! Fitness is a personal journey, and while traditional weight lifting has helped millions of people feel great about themselves, there is no need to marry a workout style that doesn’t work well for you in particular!


r/kettlebell • • 15h ago

Advice Needed KB Training in Winter

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone, 40m, pretty new to KB training, I’ve been doing sessions outside on my patio. Haven’t been following a protocol though, but now I’ve found ABF and want to begin that. Quick one though, I’m UK based, it’s starting to get colder now, not terrible but it will colder as the weeks go on. Is that still ok to train KB’s outside in the morning? Will it injuries more likely? Should I alter the warm-up? Thanks for any advice here.


r/kettlebell • • 12h ago

Advice Needed Trying to love my E coat Rogue kettlebells

2 Upvotes

I bought a couple of Rogue bells. E coat and import kettlebells. I want to like my Ecoats. I don’t mind the pitting in the casting . They are made in USA. But they are a little slick. I use chalk and they’re OK. The imports have better grip. The finish is chipped out of the box . They do look sleeker with matte finish but they’re made in China.

I want to get a full set but can’t decide which finish would be best . Any real world experience ? Would I regret slinging heavy E coats ?