Kettlebell manufacturers offer a range of weights and features. Unfortunately, the average buyer must divine the characteristics of each supplier from photographs and terse descriptions on web pages. Few retail locations exist where a potential customer can view and handle the products before making a commitment to purchase. Summarized below are measurable characteristics of kettlebells that I have recently purchased.

The measurements are made as follows:

  • Grip Diameter: measured with calipers across the center of the grip
  • Grip Width: measured with a ruler across the horizontal grippable area
  • Horn Length measure with a ruler from the ball to the end of the grip
  • Drop is vertical distance from the center of the ball to the bottom edge of the grip as it rests in the palm.
  • Span is measured inside the handle and is the distance between the attachment points of the handle to the ball
  • Ball diameter is measured with calipers or ruler horizontally across the center of the ball resting bottom down
  • Felt torque reflects the torque felt at the grip when held vertically with the ball held horizontally

    • The quality of finish work on on the handle in terms of polishing, removal of seams/flash from the mold, pitting and pebbly defects varies widely among manufacturers. For purposes of this summary, smooth means no mold seams, flash or pebbles to grind against the skin. Pits are breaks in the surface that don't catch the skin, but may slightly enhance friction when gripped very hard. Epoxy paint yields a smoother finish. In some cases epoxy ends up slick and slippery. Other epoxy finishes are smooth, but not slick. Some manufacturers use a hammertone finish. This is smooth, but still grippable for a "bottoms up" clean.
    Manufacturer Model Weight Grip diameter (inches) Grip width (inches) Horn length (inches) Drop (inches) Span (inches) Ball Diameter Felt Torque Finish
    Ader Premiere 4 kg 1 4 4 2.5 2.5 TBD TBD Smooth, hammertone gray
    Power Systems N/A 25 lb 1.5 4 3 5 3.5 TBD TBD Rough, pebbly, pitted, mold seams on inside of grip
    K2Fitness N/A 16 kg 1.5 4 2.5 5 4 TBD TBD Smooth, black epoxy paint. Almost slick.
    KettleBellConcepts N/A 20 kg 1.5 5 3 5 4 TBD TBD Smooth, gray epoxy paint. Not slick.
    Ader Premiere 24 kg 1.5 5 3 6.5 3.5 TBD TBD Smooth, hammertone gray
    Ader Monster Bells 56 kg 1.9 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Smooth, hammertone gray

    Kettlebell Suppliers

  • Dragon Door
  • KettleBellInc (Ader)
  • KettleBellConcepts
  • K2 Fitness
  • Sissel
  • Power Systems
  • Power Max

    • Kettlebell Training Products:

  • No Fear Fitness (Lisa Schaffer)
  • Kettlebell Inc (Lisa Schaffer)
  • Tactical Athlete (Jeff and Maureen Martone) The Hand to Hand drills are unique and fun!
  • Dragon Door (Pavel Tsatsouline)
  • Mike Mahler

    • News:
    Ader is offering a new line of "Monster Bells" with new models up to 203 lbs