Strength training - HIIT - what weight kettlebell?

[TheOrigRights]

I am not sure whether to get a 6 or 8kg kettlebell.

I have some experience with boot camp/HIIT/circuits etc.
6kg feel like work, 8kg feels like hard work.

I do strength training to improve my core, stability and tone.

I am mainly a runner, and also swim and cycle. I'm not a big person, but am quite strong for my size.

I will do 20 min workouts at home a few times a week.

Any tips?

I started with a set of 4,6 and 8kg then quickly needed a 10kg. Someone I met through work randomly gave me a 16kg which I was a bit wary of to begin with but I can use it for swings and sumo squats now.

I’d say go heavy.

I use different weights for different exercises, mainly the 8,10 and 16kg. I mainly watch Heather Robertson on YouTube and she uses one weight for all, but Fitnessblender seem to vary the weight. So yeah, you might find you need more than one.

A set you say!
I'm going to see how I get on with 1 at the moment.
I'm not really one for home exercise, much preferring to be outside, but it's just too tricky to get to such classes atm.

I've ordered an 8kg one.
Thank you for the recommendations for instructors to watch.

Gaaaa, so I got an 8kg one from Argos but the handle is just too chunky and slippery.

I want a handle that I can fully grip. I think maybe cast iron might be better.

@TheOrigRights

Gaaaa, so I got an 8kg one from Argos but the handle is just too chunky and slippery.

I want a handle that I can fully grip. I think maybe cast iron might be better.

Sounds odd. I assume you got a vinyl one from Argos. I have just Googled them and they look to be normal dimensions and not unusually chunky.

I understand the handle might be slippery (though the ones in our gym are stainless steel and they seem fine to me and I can't see how vinyl would be worse).

Just for comparison, I have a cast iron 10kg bell at home. I have just measured the handle circumference - it is 10cm.

Personally I prefer the stainless steel handle in the gym to the cast iron at home. Maybe some weightlifters chalk would help you?

Thank you. Can you tell I'm new to all this?
The ones I used at the boot camp seemed much easier to hold.

I'll keep looking. I think lockdown has ramped the prices up; it really shouldn't be so expensive for a lump of metal!

Honestly those are very light weights for anything leg related, probably fine for arms but if you think about caring the shopping/a suitcase/a toddler you're really not adding much extra resistance on. Keep the 8 for arms and upper body and look for something heavier for any kind of leg workout or you might be disappointed if you don't see much in the way of results.
You can get liquid chalk/chalk if you struggle to grip. I'm cursed with very sweaty hands and it's a bloody godsend for working out in summer! Think it was £10 for a bottle that's lasted me two years so far of the 'liquid chalk'

I lurve liquid chalk.

What about a weighted bag? I noticed Aldi selling 20kg ones. Again, for legs & back (eg deadlifts) that's quite light, but it'd be good for starting out weighted squats, and also lunges.

Also the lovely overhead bag throw - squat to pick up weighted bag, do a clean & jerk, and then toss/drop it over your shoulder. Turn round, squat to pick up, repeat till you're broken ...

Those sound very light to me. I'm no weight lifter (I'm a runner who occasionally chucks weights about because I have to!) but I use a 16kg one for squats.

@fellrunner85

Those sound very light to me. I'm no weight lifter (I'm a runner who occasionally chucks weights about because I have to!) but I use a 16kg one for squats.

Dear God really?! I am talking about squats, swings, arm raises etc.

I found it really hard with 8kg. I don't think I could do much at all with a 10kg one.

If you're a fell runner I picture you as someone really slight and lean.

I use 16 in my circuits class. I'd go heavy and less depictions at first until you're stronger.

I lift a lot. I’m lean.

I use a 10 or 12 for swings and squats and I use a 6 or 8 for other stuff.

Perfect for me. If you use lighter you go faster and do more reps and if you go heavier then fewer reps.

If I go to heavy for arm work, I feel my joints take the strain. Not good.

Just wondering why you decided to go for kettlebells rather than dumbbells? Personally I find the latter easier to handle and more effective.

Check out Caroline Girvan and her EPIC programmes. VERY effective!!

If you're a fell runner I picture you as someone really slight and lean
Pretty much - I'm skinny on top with no muscle whatsoever, but have a bigger arse and legs from running up hills
Trying to balance things out with some weights, but I just don't enjoy it!

I love Caroline Girvan too but she lifts far too heavy IMHO - she struggles herself through the circuit

Absolutely no shame in lifting light and as said, just lift faster!

I don't know why PP are telling you to get the 8kg because they lift more than 8kg. What other people lift is irrelevant!

I'd also get a couple - you can start the set with the 8kg and switch to the 6kg when you start to lose form.

'but I was lifting heavy!' won't help you when you get injured because of poor form.

I use a set, 16kg for squats and swings and deadlifts etc. (Started with a 10kg). But for any single arm exercises I need a 6 or an 8kg. Some exercises you can adapt and just hold a dumbbell instead of a KB if you can’t get hold of any.

Exactly palavah. The people I know who lift heavy are quite new to it, lift and get injured and give up!

I love Caroline Girvan too but she lifts far too heavy IMHO - she struggles herself through the circuit. Absolutely no shame in lifting light and as said, just lift faster!

I agree that her weights are too heavy for most women. I generally use 5kg or 7.5kg, where she's using 8kg or 10kg. And, as you say, I try to do more reps.

I think that Caroline uses heavy weights because she seems to be keen to maintain a very muscular body. My son the body builder says to do so effectively one has to push oneself to exhaustion. That wouldn't work for me LOL...

Do what you are comfortable with. If that’s a 6,8 whatever!

You can get an adjustable one. That might work.

Why don't you just get a feel for it first. Form has to be spot on.

I started with a 10 and quickly to a 12kg. Now I use a 16 for 2 handed stuff.

For over the head stuff a dumbbell is better imo.

Jumping on to ask the same! I've been using 5kg dumbbells for a while and they're starting to feel easy, but nowhere near me has any heavier ones in stock so thinking of getting a kettlebell. Any suggestions? Was thinking 12kg given that I use 2x 5kg dumbbells, but maybe it doesn't work like that?

The vinyl kettlebells are far too bulky, get a cast iron one.

I would stick with the 8kg, the 6kg would feel too light very quickly if you use kettlebells regularly.

Vinyl bells are rubbish anyway because of the seam. They're hard on the hands as it is without gloves without a seam rubbing on top.

So, what is the advantage of a kettlebell? I use dumbbells (I’ve progressed to adjustable ones DP had in his wardrobe), and can do most moves with them, including swings. I did have a kettlebell but found it uncomfortable and it ended up being used as a doorstop and got covered in cat fur. Am I missing something? I’ve been doing Caroline Girvan and Heather Robinson short series.

Thanks all.
I am obviously new to this.

I thought I would get a kettle bell as it was just one thing to buy and if I want to do swings or squats it's easier to have a single weight than 2 dumbbells.

It's what I used when I did the boot camp/HIIT and I found it worked well for me. I really only want to do a 15/20 min HIIT a few times a week to compliment my other sports.

I do know I don't want vinyl. I can look at dumbbells as well - in fact maybe they will feel more comfortable.