Which is better for Strength & Muscle - Cast Iron or Competition Kettlebells?
- Geoff Neupert
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
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I've had quite a few emails lately from guys asking me about this topic.
So, in case you weren’t aware, there is a sport called Kettlebell Sport (GS - where the “G” stands for “Girya,” or Kettlebell) which sprung out of 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 at least seen.
Here’s what the Competition Bells look like:
Now, honestly, I’ve only used Comp Bells a few times.
And I like them.
But I’ve always used the cast iron kind and prefer 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 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
… Which is probably why these are optimized for the high repetition kettlebell lifting found in Kettlebell Sport.
And, finally, depending on the manufacturer, you can get Adjustable Comp Bells, which are an “all-in-one” solution from 16kg - 32kg → Less storage requirement
However, the reality is this: Whichever type of kettlebell you choose is just that - a choice - and it’s up to you.
I recommend testing 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 use your kettlebell that determines the results you get.
Random workouts = Random results.
Professionally designed programming = Measurable, predictable gains in strength & muscle + decreases in body fat.
Stay Strong,
Geoff Neupert.
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