Competition Kettlebells

I've had quite a few emails lately from people asking me about this matter .

So, in case you weren’t aware , there is a sport called Kettlebell Sport (GS - where the “G” stands for “Girya,” or Kettlebell) which came from Russia and reached the US in the mid-2000s.

Up until that time, the only types of kettlebells you could get were the cast iron “Strength & conditioning” type.

This is probably the standard shape kettlebell you’ve probably used or at least seen .

Here’s what the Competition Bells look like :

And here's what they look like compared to each other:

(Image courtesy: Zack Henderson)

Now, honestly, I’ve only used Comp Bells a few times .

And I enjoy them.

But I’ve always used the cast iron kind and favor them .

Thicker Handles → Stronger Grip

Ever increasing bell size as weight gets heavier → More stability demand → More work → More variety

Cheaper (usually) → More bells

Bigger bells → Over 48kg more info if you want to go really heavy

Now that doesn’t mean Comp Bells are bad . Not at all.

Here are some benefits:

Same size, different weights → Consistent feel, probably more (higher) reps

Consistent size → Less stability demand → Easier to lift

Smaller handle diameter → Easier on the grip → Less forearm fatigue

Less forearm fatigue → Higher reps per set

… That's probably the reason why these are optimized for the high repetition kettlebell lifting found in Kettlebell Sport.

And, ultimately , depending on the maker , you can get Adjustable Comp Bells, which are an “all-in-one” solution from 16kg - 32kg → Requires less storage

(Image courtesy: Bells of Steel)

However, the reality is this: No matter the type of kettlebell you pick, it’s ultimately your decision.

I recommend trying out both and seeing which you like better .

Ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s not the type of kettlebell you use , it’s how you handle your kettlebell that determines the results you get.

Unplanned workouts lead to random results.

Professionally designed programming = Clear, reliable improvements in strength & muscle growth plus fat loss.

Stay Strong,

Geoff Neupert.