Get the most out of this kettlebells vs. dumbbells debate!
Exploring kettlebells vs. dumbbells as we look to get the most out of our workouts is a worthwhile venture. Many of us may use both kettlebells and dumbbells to enhance our gains, but do we really know the differences and what lies under the kettlebells vs. dumbbells debate? What you will find when using both of these pieces of fitness equipment are they will offer strength, can build muscle, and enhance some cardio needs as you see fit.
But when it comes to boosting all of our gains and seeing the most effective growth, we don’t just want to flounder around and make do with what we can. We want a targeted approach to all things gains and knowing whether to use a kettlebell, dumbbell, or any other piece of equipment can be a game changer. All in all, the right approach can increase training and performance for the best results.
Let’s jump into this and see why the kettlebells vs. dumbbells debate actually exists. Knowing what equipment to use can make or break those gains and you may be surprised once you change things up a bit. With so many options to choose from when deciding on fitness equipment, knowing what each can do will give you a better chance at seeing real success.
Kettlebells: What They Are, Benefits & More
Kettlebells are functional pieces of equipment designed to increase strength and power, and enhance cardio movements. Given the design and handle shape, a kettlebell is easy to use when it comes to higher intensity and more explosive movements. Great for a host of exercises, kettlebells can work for both compound and isolation exercises and will round out any well-structured training program. With a relaxed grip and the right size kettlebell, you will have game changing workouts.
Related: Best Kettlebell Exercises For A Massive Full Body Workout
Benefits of kettlebells include:
- Full body workout: Targets many muscle groups and increases strength, endurance, and flexibility for compound movements (1).
- Better strength & power: Improve power output for increased lean muscle mass and work on building the base for more explosive movements (2).
- Improve balance, stability, & coordination: Enhance mind-muscle connection and improve technique and form to aid in stability and better balance, especially for those bigger lifts.
You will find kettlebells are more versatile and will promote strength and power by optimizing all your movements and giving you the most effective lifts as well.
Check out our list of the Best Kettlebells for more great strength building and endurance enhancing products!
Dumbbells: What They Are, Benefits & More
We all know what dumbbells can do and we use them potentially the most out of all our equipment. Dumbbells work really well for isolation exercises, although they can promote compound movements as well. What you will find with dumbbells is that you can substitute out a barbell exercise easily for a versatile variation that still promotes gains. Easy to grip and build grip strength, while working to build as much strength as possible, dumbbells are a great piece of fitness equipment to try.
Related: Best Dumbbell Exercises For Building Muscle & Toning
Benefits of dumbbells include:
- Safe and effective exercise: Dumbbells ensure a safe and effective exercise by allowing you to maintain proper form without too much weight. You still need to focus on technique but these do offer a safe piece of equipment.
- Perfect for muscle growth: Work to increase muscle growth by creating time under tension and adding nice resistance to your workouts (3).
- Adjust for strength and symmetry: You can work one arm or one leg at a time and work to sculpt a symmetrical physique for all things gains (4).
For dumbbells, you will find these can greatly enhance compound and isolation movements and work to give you the best and most convenient gains possible.
Check out our list of the Best Dumbbells for more great muscle building and toning products!
Kettlebells Vs. Dumbbells: What Are The Differences?
There are plenty of similarities with kettlebells and dumbbells but the slight differences may impact you more than you think. It should be said that these can also be used interchangeably for a number of exercises and what you will target are grip and muscle engagement. Other than that, most of it is similar.
Kettlebells will give you an easy to grip piece of equipment perfect for versatile and functional movements that improve strength and power. Given the nature of a kettlebell design, this piece of equipment can be used for a variety of exercises used to give you the best benefits possible.
As for dumbbells, these are great for working to build muscle and enhance mind-muscle connection. While they are easy to grip, the nature of a dumbbell design makes it more difficult to perform some of those same movements as with kettlebells. Dumbbells will give you great gains to isolation exercises as you can target the muscle specifically, as well as gains to compound exercises since you can go higher in weight, however, keep it controlled as well.
The choice is up to you. Both kettlebells and dumbbells have the ability to increase your gains and allow for the best when it comes to building muscle and sculpting a physique. You need to know your goals and tailor your workouts and your equipment to that. At the end of the day, use both kettlebells and dumbbells in your routine for this will complete and round out a well-structured training plan perfect for gains. Plus, you won’t have to worry about answering the kettlebells vs. dumbbells debate.
Wrap Up
For our lifting goals, kettlebells vs. dumbbells may as well not exist. Both pieces of equipment are great for gains and can enhance our goals for the better. Whether you are looking to improve power, strength, explosivity, or endurance, both kettlebells and dumbbells can help with this one way or another. Give yourself the best chance at success and use both of these pieces of equipment, settling the kettlebells vs. dumbbells debate once and for all.
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*Images courtesy of Envato
References
- Kravitz, Len. “Kettlebell Research Update”. (source)
- Beardsley, Chris; Contreras, Bret (2014). “The Role of Kettlebells in Strength and Conditioning: A Review of the Literature”. (source)
- Saeterbakken, A.; Tillaar, R.; Fimland, M. (2011). “A comparison of muscle activity and 1-RM strength of three chest-press exercises with different stability requirements”. (source)
- Franettovich, M.; Hides, J.; Mendis, M.; Littleworth, H. (2011). “Muscle imbalance among elite athletes”. (source)