Fitness
The Best Adjustable Kettlebells: Bowflex vs Alternatives
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Working out from home is great but it can lead to some issues that need to be taken into account. Space is the primary one. Not everybody lives in a palatial mansion, so we need to work with what we got. And if you’re looking to spend time building up your muscles, then you’re going to want an adjustable kettlebell in your home.
A kettlebell is a great piece of workout equipment in general. It’s like a dumbbell, but with a different grip. Instead of a dumbbell where the grip is in between the two weights, these are designed with the grip above the weights. It’s like carrying a duffel bag the way these are designed. It gives you much more variety in terms of the workouts you can do since you got more gripping options. The gains you will get in your upper body will be out of this world.
The only issue is that like dumbbells, you tend to need more than one so you can have different weight options. But technology is a beautiful thing because now there are adjustable kettlebells. With the flick of a switch or the turn of a dial, you can go up or down in weight. No need to have a whole set cluttering up your home. Just one of these bad boys can do the trick.
Benefits Of Adjustable Kettlebells vs Kettlebell Sets
An adjustable kettlebell lets you choose the weight you want depending on the type of exercise you’re doing. So if you want to lighten up for presses, you can. Then, when it’s time for swings or lunges, just dial the weight back on. An adjustable kettlebell not only takes up less space in your home, but it takes up less time for a workout.
How We Picked The Best Adjustable Kettlebells
Going through all the options at Amazon isn’t easy. We needed to have some parameters in mind to pick out the best of the best. Not just by testing them out or by checking out customer reviews. But the functionality of each around these parameters. All 5 options we picked out work, but you may be looking for something specific. And chances are good one of these options below will satisfy those needs.
Is there an alternative to Bowflex?
Bowflex’s SelecTech 840 adjustable kettlebell (see it on Amazon) is without a doubt the gold standard adjustable kettlebell in terms of design and functionality, but also comes at a higher price point. However, sometimes it can be found at a discounted price on Amazon to match the price of competitors (around $150). Check prices for Bowflex SelecTech on Amazon.
There are alternatives to Bowflex available on Amazon too and we’ve listed the best options below. For example, Apex does a heavy-duty kettlebell (get it here) for a fraction of the price, but in terms of design and functionality, it doesn’t quite compare to Bowflex. Read on to see our other kettlebell picks.
Average Price Range
If you want to get a good kettlebell, you’re gonna want to spend a little bit of money. The best of the best is gonna run you around $200 when it isn’t on sale. You can find others from around $50, but those aren’t the rule. Most of the best will go around $150, that range. But the benefits it provides to you in terms of workouts and space saved, it’s more than worth it.
Are you ready to jump on the kettlebell train? You need an adjustable kettlebell. If you can’t—or just don’t want to—opt for the SelecTech, check out these adjustable kettlebells as alternatives to Bowflex.
The Men’s Journal Pick For The Best Adjustable Kettlebell: Bowflex 840 SelectTech Kettlebell
When it comes to adjustable kettlebells, you should go with the Bowflex option. Bowflex makes some of the best workout gear around and this kettlebell is no exception to that rule. It feels easy on your hands when using it, is sturdy enough to handle a workout, and is easy to adjust. You’ll be doing yourself a favor picking this up.
Get It: Pick up the Bowflex 840 SelectTech Kettlebell ($150; was $199) at Amazon
Best Lightweight Option: Bibowa Adjustable Kettlebell
Ideal for beginners, this kettlebell bell gets a 4.3-star rating. Clearly, people love it. It easily adjusts to add or remove cast-iron weight plates in six increments. It’s got an easy grip and a flat base to make for much easier workouts.
Get It: Pick up the Bibowa Adjustable Kettlebell ($143) at Amazon
Best Heavy Option: Apex Adjustable Heavy-Duty Kettlebell
More serious lifters should look here. Made from solid cast-iron and reinforced with a powder coating, this bell comes with a 15-pound weighted handle. It’s adjustable between 20-50 pounds. Do Kettlebell Swings, Russian Swings, Goblet Squats, Lunge Presses, and many more.
Get It: Pick up the Apex Adjustable Heavy-Duty Kettlebell ($54; was $70) at Amazon
Best Quick Release: Shanchar Kettlebell
This kettlebell adjusts quickly; simply push down and twist to select the resistance that you want. It has seven different weight settings for you to use depending on your proficiency.
Get It: Pick up the Shanchar Kettlebell ($149) at Amazon
Best Portable Option: LIGHT DUST Portable Kettlebell Sandbag
Maybe you’re looking to workout wherever the mood strikes. In the house or out in the backyard. With these sandbag kettlebells, you can workout wherever you want. Take out the sand or add in more to adjust to your desired weight and workout wherever thanks to the incredibly durable design. They can survive anywhere. All for a great low price.
Get It: Pick up the LIGHT DUST Portable Kettlebell Sandbag ($17) at Amazon
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