First Place Kettlebells (Sold as Singles)

First Place Kettlebells (Sold as Singles) Information

Product Reviews Post Time
Jan 20, 2010 01:53:03

Average Product Rating
5.0 of 5.0

Product Availability
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First Place Kettlebells (Sold as Singles) Reviews By Customers

I have Perform Better's First Place kettlebells in 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 kilograms, all plain cast (not vinyl coated). These are very well made, with a smoother finish than shown in the product pictures, particularly on the handles. These are probably older pictures. 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)

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 on one of the side flats in both kilograms and pounds. Numbers & letters are depressed, not raised, which is important for comfort.

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
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From Russia with Love - Polymathicus -
I got my 1 pood (16 kg, 35 pd) kettlebell less than a week ago.

Simply put, I love it! I have been hearing about the kettlebell frenzy for quite a while, and now I know why.

It is fun, and works.

A word for internal martial artists: unlike standard workouts, kettlebells can be used proficiently for neigong.Just go to youtube and look for the basic "swing" exercise: excellent training for your core.

Buy them and be happy

PS Careful though: if you do not know what to do, you may injure your back (and shoulders too)
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Kettlebell Worth its Weight and More; Love It! - A. F. SLATER - Birmingham, AL
I started using kettlebells earlier this year and I began with the Go Fit brand. They are good, but I REALLY like the First Place bells even though they are more expensive. I purchased one 8 Kilo bell last week because I felt I could get better form and practice with my snatches than I was getting with my 20 pound Go Fit bell; I was right! I ordered a second 8 kilo bell today because I've been anxious to try kettlebell moves that require the use of two identical bells, particularly in Anthony Diluglio's "Firepower" and Amy Bento's "Kettlebell Dynamics". I love Kettlebells!
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Excellent Quality - S. Burke -
These are very good quality kettle bells. The handles are smooth and without any type of noticeable seam which could tear up your hands. The shape is perfect. Also, it is very helpful that these models have a threaded hole on the bottom to accept an additional weight (i.e. Kettlebell Buddy). Some brands don't offer this feature.

I bought the vinyl version of these from Perform Better and ended up cutting off the vinyl since it was antagonistic to arm hair. For heavier weights the non-vinyl models seem more practical.
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