It wasn’t that long ago 10kg and 14kg kettlebells were introduced to the Pro Grade range and this has made a huge difference to the rate of progression of many of my clients and kettlebell sport athletes (I really wish they’d been around when I’d started training with kettlebells).  The addition of 18kg and 22kg bells now means from 8kg to 24kg you can move up in weight in 2kg, rather than 4kg, increments.

Not only do the 2kg increments make for faster progressions in kettlebell training, they also make for safer ones.  Hands, forearms and elbows are usually the last parts of the body to adapt to a particular weight in kettlblebell training (especially for ballistic lifts such as cleans, jerks and snatches).

With a 4kg increment between weights you often have to build up a lot of volume with one weight before moving up to the next, and even then moving up to the next weight can be a bit of a shock to the system.  The 2kg increments give the connective tissue and smaller muscles in your hands and arms a much gentler increase in load, reducing the risk of problems such as tendinitis in the elbow or pain on the back of the forearm where the kettlebell rests.  (There is a blog post on smart progressions in kettlebell training here if you want to read more about this).

From personal experience, I have found that the 4kg jump can be too much and an invitation for injury if you’re not very careful, particularly when you’re getting close to your upper weight limits (you can read more about that here).

The Russians have access to kettlebells that go up in 1kg increments, and the ability to progress so smoothly from one weight to the next, and to move between a greater variety of weights, certainly hasn’t hurt their training:

I bought my 18kg last week and can already feel that it’s going to make an immense difference in my training, especially snatch training.  Plus, it’s going to enable me to vary the microcycles of my training more effectively (and alleviate a bit of the boredom of working with the same one or two weights all the time in preparation for competition).  I’m also hoping these smaller weight increments will make kettlebell sport training seem a little less daunting to people and encourage more people to give it a shot.  Fingers crossed!

So for anyone who trains regularly with kettlebells, or trainers who use kettlebells with their clients, I highly recommend having these intermediate weights for safer progressions, variety and faster advances in training.

Few words can sufficiently describe the splendour our new prograde kettlebells, however one that comes close is ‘breathtaking’.

The new progrades share with their predecessors the same time-tested ergonomic design, but have a couple of added features that truly make them the Kings of Kettlebells.

First, they now come in a range of eye-catching colours with the 16s, 24s and 32s painted in the traditional Russian competition colours.

The new progrades also come with a raw steel handle.  The latest handles are unbelievably smooth, far better than you’d ever manage to get them if you stripped them by hand.  They are very kind on your hands and serious kettlebell lifters know that makes all the difference.  No more days off training while you wait for your torn hands to heal!

To check out the new progrades CLICK HERE.

The main difference…

The classic kettlebells increase in size as the weight increases. A 4kg bell is really small, while the 64kg kettlebell is a monster! The Pro Grade kettlebells are uniform in size with the shape of the bell and handle remaining the same.

This feature give the Pro Grade Kettlebells some advantages over the standard kettlebell;

• You don’t have to adjust your technique when moving back and forwards between heavier and lighter kettlebells.
• The ProGrade sizes are Internationally the same so you’re able to compare your performances with the best kettlebell users in the world.
• A slimmer handle reduces fatigue on long endurance sets
• Better ballistic properties gives you a mechanical advantage with exercises like the clean and snatch. The balancing of the Pro Grade works with you at all times

Something worth considering

Which kettlebell is for you? The simple answer is classic kettlebells are probably the best place to start if you’re new to kettlebell training. However, if you plan on using kettlebells regularly and knocking out some long sets, then you can’t go past the Pro Grade variety.

Beginner/new to kettlebells – go for the classic

Serious athlete and kettlebell enthusiast – choose the Pro Grades

What else can you tell me?

The classic kettlebell is made from cast iron with a powder coated finish. It’s a slightly cheaper kettlebell with a nice finish. Be warned that the powder coating can chip and scratch if the kettlebell gets knocked around. We believe this only adds to the character of the bell, but some people don’t like it.

The Pro Grade design is made from steel. It’s indestructible and will out live you and your family. Russians have been handing down their kettlebells to their children and grand children for many years. Put simply: you won’t break it or damage it.

The Pro Grades are the tool of choice for the sport of kettlebell lifting (Girevoy Sport). Some keen lifters like to smooth down the handle ensuring a pristine finish and minimising the chance of callouses. This step is not necessary for everyone, but if you want the absolute best kettlebell it’s something worth considering. Australian Girevoy sport champion, Paul Tucker, has put together a video on how to do it.

Note: The classic kettlebells can’t take this kind of treatment. If you want to optimise the handle you need to get a Pro Grade kettlebell.

A video

We took this video on the Steve Cotter Tour. Steve’s a big fan of our Pro Grade kettlebells and discusses their benefits in this short video.

Our Advice?

We recommend the Pro Grade kettlebells. They are better balanced and will last you a lifetime without getting chipped or damaged. Pro Grade kettlebells are slightly more expensive but this cost is offset by the performance of each kettlebell.

Classic design kettlebells are the perfect choice if you’re just starting out and don’t need the premium product. Ladies also seem to prefer the smaller sizes of the 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 kg bells.

At the end of the day you have to decide on what your kettlebell needs are and consider your budget. And please keep in mind the golden rule…

…any kettlebell training is better than no kettlebell training

Happy kettlebelling,

Australian Kettlebells.