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How to find cheap kettlebells
Kettlebells are one of the best all-around tools for fitness because of their versatility. They can be used in strength training, muscle building, and fat burning workouts just as easily and they can easily be tucked away in a small corner of your home. The only major problem with them can be their price. So how can you find cheap kettlebells?
Although, it may be tempting to go with the lowest cost option when shopping around, you should always consider the consequences if you do. Will you get what you pay for? That depends. There are some great deals out there if you are patient and the stars line up, but if you go with lower quality you might just get junk that you need to replace shortly.
For instance, you can get a set of plastic coated kettlebells very inexpensively, but if you plan to do any serious workouts with them, they aren’t likely to hold up very long because they just aren’t durable. If you plan on doing any legitimate training with them with a variety of exercises, you will want to go with a heavier duty option.
The most expensive kettlebells out there can be $2 per pound or more from some companies, even if they aren’t exactly recognized as a name brand. As you most likely want more than just 1, a set would get very pricey in a hurry. There are a few things you can do to find deals, though, including:
- Look locally – Because kettlebells are so heavy, sometimes the shipping charges can be the worst part of the process. If you can pick up the item locally, you may save a small fortune on shipping the items. Checking out your local Craigslist might be your best bet. This is a real gamble, though, and timing is everything. If you are patient, though, you might just find a great deal on nearly new kettlebells that someone hardly ever tried out because they just couldn’t hit their New Year’s resolution. Alternatively, local sporting goods stores that carry KBs will at least save you the shipping cost, but make sure to price check and make sure they aren’t overcharging.
- Find used – This is also a gamble and a matter of timing. Checking sites like ebay.com can help you find used kettlebells from across the country, but with this you also run into the problem of shipping costs and worrying about how beat up the used equipment can be. I’d definitely want to make sure to see pictures of the item and understand the seller’s return policy before bidding on anything.
- Borrow – OK, this probably isn’t ideal because you probably want a set for yourself that you can keep around the house. I get it, but if you just can’t afford a quality set, it might make sense to borrow or share with a friend who has some. Perhaps the 2 of you can split the cost of the set? Or better, each of you buys your own, but coordinates with the other for what weight to get so you can collect a variety and trade-off.
- Use dumbbells – This is hardly a perfect solution either, but many exercises that you do with kettlebells can be done with dumbbells. You will lose some of the benefits and uniqueness of KB training, yes, but it isn’t the worst alternative. Just be careful when holding the dumbbell by the head and swinging it around, as it wasn’t made to be held like that. Rogue also has a kettleclamp, which can cling on the handle of a dumbbell and give you the feel of a KB.
- Buy adjustable – If you really want to get into KB training, but can only afford to buy 1 item, you may want to try an adjustable kettlebell like this one. These aren’t perfect, and some people will have complaints with them, but they allow you to vary the resistance with only 1 purchase. If you already have a weight plate set at home, even better. If not, you can buy a small set for relatively cheap and easily adjust the weight for each workout or exercise that you want.
- Buy quality – This is listed last, but it very well may be your best option. A quality brand of kettlebell like the ones from Rogue Fitness are nearly impossible to break and will last you years. This might require a bit more of an upfront cost, but can save you money in the long run if you don’t have to keep replacing the items. You also might be surprised at how good the price is compared to local sporting goods stores. Just be sure to include shipping when comparing prices. Additionally, if you are patient, you can wait for the good sales to come around.
Before you buy anything, make sure you are getting exactly what you want. You might find a great deal, but if it is poorly made or doesn’t allow you to train the way you had intended, the item is useless. Whatever you choose, get a KB that fits the style of training that you want to do.
Finding cheap kettlebells is no easy task, but if you are patient, you will give yourself a chance. You always have to weight the pros and cons when looking into buying equipment. Used equipment might seem like a big savings at the time, but it might lead to more headaches down the road. If you are going to have to replace the item within a year or 2, there might not be a price that is a good enough deal.
Simply buying quality equipment makes a lot of sense, but there can be a big upfront cost that comes with it that some people just can’t afford. You are going to budget out what you want to spend and be realistic about what you can get with that amount. Ultimately, you have to make a decision based on what you can afford and what you want out of the equipment.
Photo By: OKFoundryCompany
