I've had many emails lately from guys asking me about this topic .
So, in case you weren’t informed , there is a activity called Kettlebell Sport (GS - where the “G” stands for “Girya,” or Kettlebell) which came from Russia and hit 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 most likely the standard shape kettlebell you’ve probably used or witnessed .
Here’s what the Competition Bells appear 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 handful of times .
And I prefer them.
But I’ve always used the cast iron kind and choose them.
Here’s why: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 if you want to go really heavy
Now that doesn’t mean Comp Bells are disadvantageous. 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 engineered for the repeated kettlebell lifting found in Kettlebell Sport.
And, in conclusion, depending on the manufacturer , 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: The type of kettlebell you opt for is simply a choice - and it depends on you.
I recommend testing both and finding out which suits you best .
Ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s not the model of kettlebell you pick, it’s workouts how you train with it that dictates 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.