Is there a more under-utilised piece of exercise equipment than the kettlebell? Almost every commercial gym will have a few kettlebells gathering dust in the corner. While dumbbell competition is fierce, during busy gym times, the kettlebells rack is often ignored. There are probably a few reasons for the under-utilisation of kettlebells. The major one is that most people don’t know how to exercise with a kettlebell. The odd shape of these Eastern European weights means performing traditional exercises can feel awkward or unnatural.
Moreover, the seemingly sudden appearance of kettlebells in gyms throughout the 21st century has led some exercise fans to dismiss them as another gym equipment fad.
However, the truth is kettlebells should be incorporated into all weight training regimes. They are one of the most useful, versatile and practical pieces of weight training equipment you will ever use.
Kettlebells are designed for functional strength, encouraging natural body movements and can help increase cardiovascular fitness and overall strength.
As for being a fad, the kettlebell is probably one of the oldest pieces of weight training equipment still in use. Most trace the kettlebell back to 17th century Russia. But there is evidence that kettlebells have been used for thousands of years.
Still not convinced? GetLocal takes a deep dive into the history of the kettlebell. We also discuss the different kettlebells currently available on the market.
The History of the Kettlebell
There is evidence to suggest that the kettlebell has been used to help increase physical fitness for thousands of years. There have been artefacts discovered dating back to ancient Greece which appear to show weights attached to a handle. Outside of Ancient Greece, there have been various artefacts found from ancient civilisations that show variations of weights with handles. However, no other country is more associated with the kettlebell than Russia.
The Origins of the Modern Kettlebell
The first written evidence of what we know today as a modern kettlebell was in Russian. A kettlebell, known as a gyro or a girya, appeared in a Russian dictionary as early as 1704. At first, the giro wasn’t used for physical fitness. It has its origins in Russian marketplaces. Farmers would use the kettlebell as a counterweight when measuring grain. Legend has it that farmers, bored with a long day at the market, began lifting and throwing these gyros to show off their strength. These displays of strength and fitness quickly became a centrepiece of Russian markets and festivals.
At the dawn of the 19th century, a Russian physician introduced kettlebell training to the then raining Russian Tzar. It wasn’t long before the Russian army adopted a kettlebell training regime. Eventually, kettlebell lifting was elevated to the level of a national sport that continues in one form or another to this day.
Russia can’t claim sole ownership of the kettlebell. In Germany, documents predating the 19th century show evidence of strong men and strong women using kettlebells in various feats of strength.
Kettlebells in the Mid-19th Century
By the mid-19th century, kettlebells had spread from Russia and Germany to the United States. Travelling circus strongmen used kettlebells to demonstrate their strength, and certain gymnasiums even stocked kettlebells. However, sometime around the 1940s or 1950s, the kettlebell fell out of fashion.
The Resurgence of The Kettlebell In The 21st Century
For decades it seemed like the kettlebell had forever fallen out of favour. But as the 21st century dawned, the trend toward muscles for muscle’s sake began to wind down. The fitness industry saw a greater appetite for functional fitness. It’s probably no surprise that the kettlebell became popular again alongside the rise of exercise methodologies like CrossFit.
The reintroduction of kettlebells to the West can be attributed to one man. The Russian fitness instructor Pavel Tsatsouline popularised exercises focused on functional strength and manoeuvrability. He published influential books that focused on using the kettlebell as a core exercise component. This led to the kettlebell becoming a valuable and popular piece of training equipment in the West.
Today there are numerous kettlebell training classes, a plethora of online training regimes and – whether they are used or not – every gym has a kettlebell rack.
Different Kettlebell Types
Now that we have a greater understanding of where the kettlebells came from, let’s look at the different types available on the market.
Most kettlebells fall into two distinctive categories.
- The classic kettlebell or Russian-style kettlebell
- The competition-style kettlebell.
Classic Kettlebells
The classic kettlebell is made from cast iron. This kettlebell type is usually available relatively inexpensively. The cast iron dictates the weight, therefore you’ll need to discover an individually set for each weight.
As you would expect, the larger the weight, the larger the kettlebell. This type of kettlebell is excellent for a home workout.
Competition style kettlebells
Competition-style kettlebells, or what you see in most CrossFit gyms, are used in functional fitness competitions. What makes these kettlebells different is that they are not made of cast iron but instead made out of steel. No matter the weight of the kettlebell, they are all the same size.
There you have it, everything you ever needed to know about kettlebells. However, we didn’t mention that you could face extravagant delivery fees when ordering kettlebells. The best way to avoid these fees is to discover local. GetLocal helps you compare and contrast kettlebells in your local area. Make sure you support local businesses with GetLocal.
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