First Place Vinyl Kettlebells (Sold as Singles)

First Place Vinyl Kettlebells are cast iron balls with a vinyl color-coded encasement
I have Perform Better's First Place kettlebells in 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 kilograms, all plain cast (not vinyl coated). Unlike the pictures in the listing for the plain cast kettlebells, the pictures of the vinyl coated kettlells here appear to be up-to-date, and give a good impression of the surface finish. My understanding is that Anthony Diluglio of the Art of Strength and the Punch Kettlebell Gym chain worked with Perform Better in improving these bells. (see artofstrength dot com for information on Anthony) That's Anthony in the pictures, by the way. The kettlebells still have typical casting imperfections, but are better finished than most of the other cast iron kettlebells on the market (I've seen about three quarters of what's available). The handles on mine came out of the box smooth with the exception of the 16, which needed some minor sanding. Weight markings are cast into one of the side flats in both kilograms and pounds. Numbers & letters are depressed, not raised, which is important for comfort. Naturally, the cast-in numbers and letters are covered by the coating. Colors/weights for the vinyl coated kettlebells are: 4kg (blue), 8 (yellow), 12 (green), 16 (red), 20 (gray), 24 (black), and 32 (orange). I don't have the other colors handy. The vinyl coated kettlebells are available up to 36 kilograms, while the plain cast go up to 44 kilograms. Bottoms are rubber, secured by a long hex bolt - more than long enough that it will not drop off even if it manages to work loose. The rubber is fairly hard. It's soft enough to protect your floors, however, and hard enough to provide support for push-ups and renegade rows. I.e., the rubber does not give easily. The rubber covers the full diameter of the bottom. Perform Better is coming out with an add-on 2 kilogram weight ("Kettlebell Buddy") that will also screw into the hole in the bottom, should you want to work with in-between weight increments between kettlebells. The handles are well-shaped, with a defined horn and comfortable curve into the straight portion of the handle at the top. The lateral space inside the top of the handle is "normal" kettlebell width, meaning that a 2-handed grip will leave your pinkys outside of the handle, unless you have small hands. Perform Better's vinyl coated kettlebells are 100% identical to the plain cast. The difference is mostly preference and the price difference is relatively minor. Advantages of the vinyl coated include quick identification (different colors for different weights) and a bit of extra bump protection. Stay away from the vinyl if you have hairy arms, as the vinyl will pull the hair. Some measurements are as follows. The numbers are in inches, and are the diameter of the handle, followed by the space between the top of the ball and inside bottom of the handle. The vertical inside handle space (the 2nd number) is such that, in conjunction with the curvature of the ball, the kettlebell rests on the lower portion of your forearm, rather than on the wrist. The larger kettlebells rest about 2 inches above my wrist bone. 4kg - 1.25, 2 8kg - 1.5, 2.25 12kg - 1.75, 2.375 16kg - 1.75, 2.5 20kg - 1.75, 2.5 24kg - 1.75, 2.5 <<< Read more comment for First Place Vinyl Kettlebells (Sold as Singles)... >>>