Where do kettlebells come from?

Kettlebells are one of the tools you'll use when doing strength training. Perhaps you already have one in your home gym, or you're simply curious about the kettlebell's origins. In this blog post, we'll discuss kettlebells and their history.

Russian roots

The kettlebell, better known as the Girya, is a cast iron weight. If you look at a kettlebell, you'll see that it bears a striking resemblance to a cannonball and a handle. These days, kettlebells are available in all sorts of different designs. Take a look at our current selection of kettlebells . Historically, a unit of weight called a "poed" was used. One "poed" equals 16 kg. Current weights available are 8 kg, 16 kg, 24 kg, 32 kg, 40 kg, and even 48 kg. Modern kettlebells haven't deviated much from their predecessors.

Who trained with kettlebells?

Kettlebells last longer than you might think. They're centuries old, and there's evidence that they were used for training centuries ago. They were used for all sorts of different training purposes. Military personnel, but athletes also used them. Around this time, these kettlebells were also called Gireviks. This is the first term found for this training tool.

Perhaps it comes as no surprise, but kettlebells were also used to train the Russian secret service. Thanks to various fitness instructors, this object has acquired multiple training purposes. It was good for training the Russian secret service, but also for throwing. Kettlebells used to be handled differently. For example, a German set the world record for kettlebell heap throwing. He threw a 26 kg kettlebell over a 510 cm bar! It just goes to show that kettlebells can be used for a variety of purposes. If you're thinking about throwing kettlebells like you used to, be sure to do so in an environment where you can't hit anyone.

Which kettlebells are suitable?

As you've probably already seen in our current selection, there are many different types of kettlebells available. Modern kettlebells come in many different designs, including steel, plastic, and cast iron. If you're serious about training, a steel one is definitely worth considering, as it has the highest density. Prefer something a bit more durable? Then a cast iron kettlebell is definitely for you! Compared to steel, it's cheaper, but that doesn't mean it's inferior. The more durable versions protect the kettlebell and produce less noise. Another advantage is that they cause less damage to the floor, so you can drop the kettlebell on the floor.

Kettlebells have many advantages, the most important being their versatility. They can be used for strength training, but also for balance, flexibility, and endurance. Kettlebells are incredibly useful!