How to Know Which Is Better - Kettle Bells or Dumbbells?

Posted by Roland Steyn on July 15th, 2017

Kettle bells and dumbbells are both a type of strength equipment. Both of them offer benefits, but you might be wondering which among the two can give better results. Well, the answer mostly depends on what your exercise goal is.

If you want to be able to do more dynamic movements, then you should go for kettle bells. For exercises that make use of several major muscle groups and involve big moves, kettle bells are better options. Some typical moves that you can do with kettle bells are swings, cleans, snatches, and windmills. Swings can increase your heart rate, meaning you can use kettle bells as both cardio and strength equipment. Now when it comes to doing basic movements, dumbbells may be the better choice. Moves with dumbbells tend to be more straightforward. You can start with movements such as the shoulder press, or chest press. Dumbbells are great for you if you are a newbie, and they also work better for weight training.

If your aim is to improve your grip strength, you will want to go for kettle bells because their handle is thicker than that of dumbbells. As an example, doing a bent-over row with a kettle bell can strengthen your grip and help warm you up for pull-ups. Meanwhile, if you are after general strength and fitness, you can stick to dumbbells. Basic weightlifting moves can significantly improve your strength over a couple of weeks. You can also progress in weight with the use of dumbbells and practice some explosive moves with them before moving on to kettle bells.

To add extra challenge to your exercise, you can use kettle bells as they take the center of gravity away from your hand. Dumbbells provide more stability, whereas kettle bells require you to stabilize them so that they do not tip over and hit your arm. Kettle bells, however, pose a bit of danger, and might not be best for those who are still new to exercising.

In conclusion, if you are a newbie and you are looking for strength equipment that will let you perform basic strength movements, you can opt for the classic dumbbells. Meanwhile, if you are interested in doing dynamic and explosive moves, it’s better to use a kettle bell. Purchase your equipment from a reputable supplier so that you can get high-quality products as well as reliable advice and recommendations. 

About the Author: 

This article is written by Roland Steyn, the Director of MiFitness. MiFitness is one of South Africa's most trusted online suppliers of home-use and commercial gym equipment. They supply a wide range of high-quality exercise equipment for home and corporate use. 

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Roland Steyn

About the Author

Roland Steyn
Joined: December 17th, 2016
Articles Posted: 30

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