Kettlebells are becoming an increasingly popular type of training equipment. They are relatively inexpensive and can give you a full-body strength and conditioning workout. When done correctly, kettlebell training has been shown to be more effective than a standard military regimen of pull-ups, sprints, and long-distance running. Kettlebell training is currently being incorporated into all kinds of training regiments, especially among strength and conditioning coaches for athletes. It can improve your grip (attack), explosiveness (punch), flexibility (both), and just general cardio training.
The Gympak Kettlebell is a very strong product made from a cast iron ball, strong steel handle and painted with a matt gray finish. The kettlebell also comes with a rubber fit, which is nice if you don’t want to damage the floor. The product comes in 11 different weights and sizes: 9lbs, 18lbs, 26lbs, 35lbs, 44lbs, 53lbs, 62lbs, 70lbs, 79lbs, 88lbs, and 97lbs for the super heavyweights. For this particular review, I’m going to focus on the 35-pound kettlebell.
There are two main things to look for when shopping for a kettlebell: handling and balance. The handle is a very important part of the kettlebell because it will experience a lot of movement during the exercise. The circumference has to fit your hand well so that you can have a solid grip. The circumference of the Gympak Kettlebells grip is about 4 1/2″. This is a nice thick grip that I can grip tight but not too thick where I can’t secure it properly. The Gympak Kettlebell handle has a nice width as well. This the A particular model’s handle measures approximately 9″ across. A wide grip is good because you can do two-handed exercises and grip the outer edges to target particular muscles. I was able to do front delt raises by grabbing the corner of the handle so I could hit the front delts really well. The handle of the kettlebell is also high enough that you can swing the kettlebell without hurting your hand. Some kettlebells have sharp corners and very narrow grips that limit your exercises, so the Gympak kettlebell is definitely more useful than those types.
The second thing you should definitely keep in mind is the weight distribution on the kettlebell. This is going to be a little harder to tell, but you’ll have to swing a few times to feel it. The Gympak kettlebell has a very nice flow motion, especially on the snatch exercise. The reason weight distribution (or balance) is so important with kettlebells is that most exercises are done using a swinging motion. You need a constant fluid movement in most of these exercises and if the kettlebell is not well balanced, you risk injuring yourself much more often.
The Gympak Kettlebell is definitely one of the best kettlebells I’ve ever used and at about $1.40/lb it’s also one of the best for value. The rubber setup is also a plus because I train indoors and my wife wouldn’t appreciate her poking holes in travestine floors.
