Cast-Iron Kettlebell

One solid cast-iron weight with a wide handle. 8 kg (about 18 lb) suits most beginners; 12–16 kg (25–35 lb) if you already lift. Amazon Basics and Yes4All are the well-made cheap ones.

• Cast iron, one piece
• Wide, smooth handle
• 8–16 kg most useful

Why you’d want it: One weight, no rack, and it covers the two moves that matter most for keeping muscle: the swing and the goblet squat. Lives under a desk and lasts forever.

Picking tip: Buy lighter than you think: the swing uses the hips, not the arms, and a weight you can hold at your chest for a slow squat is the right one. Check the handle is one casting with the bell, not bolted on. Put a mat under it; cast iron and a wooden floor do not get on.

Category

Move & Recover

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