Until now, the epidemic has forced many companies to adopt a work-from-home culture that has stifled the fitness progress of many. Home-based workout content started flooding media platforms, with many experts sharing their tips for a healthy lifestyle when stuck at home. While many bodyweight exercises are easily doable and cost-effective, weight-based workouts are not. Dumbbells and machines are costly due to how many are needed for a properly balanced workout, however, the kettlebell could be the solution. Here is why kettlebells are one of the best equipment for home workouts. 

Why Kettlebells?

When it comes to viable weights to have at home, only dumbbells and kettlebells are realistic contenders. With machines being ever so bulky and normally serving specific body parts, acquiring enough machines at home to get a well-rounded workout would be ridiculously costly and a strain on your home. The same also applies to barbells.

Primarily focused on compound exercises, space barbells have no place for isolated movements. To acquire enough weights for your bar would also rely on having a generous amount of space for stowing. This also applies should you choose to get a rack for the most important activities like squats and bench presses. 

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While it is true that kettlebells and dumbbells offer a variety of weights, kettlebell workouts are vastly different as to how they are performed and can compromise a little more on recycling weight.

Lunges, curls and raises are common exercises that target specific muscle groups, and switching up the weights in every set is extremely necessary to see progress. Kettlebell movements are far more dynamic, using drastic motions such as snatches, swings, and cleans. Because of this, it is already clear that the dedicated exercises require the use of more muscle groups than dumbbells. 

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Kettlebell’s Uniqueness 

To explain why kettlebells have such a unique style of working out, it’s important to examine the weight itself. The kettlebells’ handles, also known as “horns” are measured between six to eight inches, which allows for variety in terms of grip length, which can change up your workout quite dramatically.

The weighted part at the bottom is called a bell and it is the main weight the handle is connected to. While dumbbells have a handle for one hand that evenly distributes the weight on both sides, the kettlebell has its weight below the grip, which in turn changes the center of gravity for your workout. 

The length of a kettlebell handle was specifically designed to allow single and double hand grips which do broaden the use of the equipment. Because its center of gravity is on the bell itself, snatches and swings have become the ideal way to use it, but in return require far more discipline from the user’s side.

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It can be tricky to get both arms symmetrical when executing an exercise, but slight imbalances won’t hamper your workouts too much. Kettlebells however require perfect technique as its style of movement has very little room for error. Twists and bends tend to be clear when it comes to executing wrong techniques and it is easy to identify when your form is askew.

Exercises Dumbells Can’t Do

If you are not convinced that kettlebells are a better investment, there are many exercises it can do like dumbbells. Single Arm Overhead Raises, Front Raises, SIngle or Double Arm Curls, SInge Arm Rows, and more. While Kettlebells may struggle at the chest department when compared to dumbbells, the kettlebell has a plethora of exercises that the latter will not be able to emulate. 

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Kettlebell Swings

Possibly the most well-known exercise of them all, the Kettlebell Swing has the person start with their back arched and the kettlebell below that at a 90-degree angle. With both hands, the user will swing the kettlebell forward while extending his/her knees so that the posture is upright while the kettlebell is swung forward.

As you can tell, there are many muscle groups activated during this exercise and will require a reasonable amount of practice to get right. Hamstrings, glutes, shoulders, arms, and the core are all worked in a single motion and the kettlebell weight itself puts these muscle groups into tension for growth. 

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Kettlebell Goblet Squat

Kettlebells definitely have the edge over dumbbells when it comes to squatting. Despite the name, Goblet Squats are not that difficult to do and bears a resemblance to barbell squatting. The standard rules apply: knees are never meant to exceed the feet and the back must be arched when squatting for safety purposes.

The only difference is that the user will have to grab the outer edges of the handle with an inward-facing rip. After that, the elbows must be securely tucked together until it is vertically parallel to the rest of the body. If done correctly, your forearms should be hugging the bell.

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Kettlebell Halos

Kettlebell halos are definitely unique to this equipment and will need a proper grasp of the technique before increasing the weight. The user will have to grab the handles at its corners and proceed to raise the kettlebell to face level. After that, the hands must be traced around the head as though you are literally drawing a halo.

It might sound silly, but this exercise is a shoulder blaster and can give your deltoids, traps, and arms a workout like none other. This exercise will require some initial guidance as the wrong technique and even the wrong weight can have you smack your head during the rotation by accident. Also, if your grip isn’t firm, your elbows could be severely damaged if you drop the ball in the middle rotation. 

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