Whether you lift it, swing it, thrust it, or play hackysack with it, kettlebells can help boost your overall strength, aerobic power, and physical fitness. (1) Despite having loads of competition, the Iron Bull Kettlebell has emerged as one of the best (and most affordable) kettlebells on the market. Forged from cast iron with a powder coat, it comes in a variety of weights — each marked with a different color — that can intensify deadlifts, squats, and numerous other workouts.
Two different members of our team, including BarBend expert tester and certified nutrition coach Jake Herod, spent several days testing the Iron Bull Kettlebell, incorporating it into exercises such as goblet squats, single arm thrusts, sit-ups, American kettlebell swings, and single-leg Romanian deadlifts. Afterwards, they gave the Iron Bull Kettlebell a score of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) in the following categories:
- Workout Experience
- Coating
- Grip
- Delivery
- Value
- Warranty
We also compared this model to other top-of-the-line kettlebells, combed customer reviews, and dug into Iron Bull’s customer service and warranty information to help you decide whether this is the right piece of equipment for you. We’re personally huge fans of the look, design, and price of the Iron Bull Kettlebell, though we do have some reservations when it comes to the slickness of its grip. Read on as we unpack our experience with it below.
Iron Bull Kettlebell
Main Takeaways
- This gravity-cast kettlebell consists of a solid piece of cast iron, which benefits its overall durability and balance.
- With a price range of $30 to $125, this kettlebell is between 25 and 50 percent less expensive than models from Nike and Kettlebell Kings.
- We like the feel of the grip, but one of the testers found it a bit slick and small for those with larger hands.
Iron Bull Kettlebell Video Review
Our expert tester, Jake Herod, puts the Iron Bull Kettlebell to the test in his detailed video review. Follow along as he talks pros, cons, pricing, and thoughts on who should and shouldn’t buy this kettlebell.
Iron Bull Kettlebell Highlights
- Price: $30-$125
- Weight Range: 9lbs-70lbs
- Materials: Cast iron with powder coat
- Grip Thickness: 30mm-40mm
- Dimensions: Varies depending on the weight of the bell
Iron Bull’s kettlebell is available in nine different weights — spanning 9 to 70 pounds — that range in price from $30 to $125. For comparison, kettlebells from brands like DMoose and Kettlebell Kings start at $45 and $69.99, respectively. That price point doesn’t come with compromise — both of our testers rated their overall workout experience with the kettlebell a 4.5 out of 5.
First off, we love that this is a gravity-cast kettlebell, which means it’s made from a single piece of cast iron and has a perfectly flat base. “The gravity cast process works like this: molten metal is poured from above into a kettlebell mold, which allows gravity to form the bell,” explained Herod. “This leads to an evenly balanced product, and without any welds holding the bell and handle together, you won’t have to worry about the connection between the two coming loose over time.”
Herod also found it aesthetically pleasing. “I think this is a beautiful kettlebell,” he said, noting that the “bright, shiny” finish on Iron Bull’s powder coat is an improvement over the “dull” matte finish on many kettlebells.
That said, when training with the 26-pound kettlebell, both of our testers found its grip slightly slick, which resulted in a lack of confidence during heavy swings. “I’ve been known to chalk up more than I probably need to, but in this case, it was justified,” said our tester. “I felt a lot more comfortable with the kettlebell after chalking.”
The grip thickness ranges between 30 and 40 millimeters, depending on the weight. While both of our testers were able to comfortably get their hands around it, a colleague with larger hands had to drop both pinkies in order to get a grip on it.
While an excellent kettlebell, Herod emphasized that its most attractive feature is its price. At $30 to $125, the Iron Bull Kettlebell is up to 25 to 50 percent less expensive than comparable models from DMoose and Kettlebell Kings. “This is one of the best budget kettlebell purchases you could make,” he said, rating its value a 5 out of 5.
Pros
- This gravity-cast kettlebell consists of a solid piece of cast iron, which benefits its overall durability and balance.
- The powder coat gives it a bright, aesthetically pleasing look in addition to protecting against chips and corrosion.
- With a price range of $30 to $125, this kettlebell is between 25 and 50 percent less expensive than models from Nike and Kettlebell Kings.
Cons
- Strength trainers may not like that this kettlebell tops out at 70 pounds.
- Our testers recommend using chalk during heavy swings, as the grip felt slightly slick.
- Those with larger hands may struggle to comfortably fit both hands on the grip.
Training With the Iron Bull Kettlebell
We’re big fans of the Iron Bull Kettlebell, with our testers celebrating its balanced build, striking aesthetic, and durable powder coat. We did, however, have a few concerns after putting it to the test with American kettlebell swings, goblet squats, and single-leg Romanian deadlifts, among other movements. Let’s break them down below.
Handle Grip and Comfort
We rated the Iron Bull Kettlebell’s grip a 3.5 out of 5, with both of our testers noting a “slight slickness” to the powder coat handle of the 26-pound weight. “In a gym with the heat on, I’d say the grip definitely felt a little slick and sweaty,” said Herod.
This wasn’t an issue during squats, deadlifts, and thrusters, but it did prove distracting during swings, “I’d definitely recommend using chalk if you’re planning on doing heavy swings with this kettlebell, especially if you’re sweaty.”
Depending on the weight, this kettlebell’s grip thickness can range between 30 and 40 millimeters. Our tester, who admitted they had small hands, had no issues getting both hands around it, but that may not be the case for those with larger mitts. “When a colleague of mine tested the 26-pound kettlebell, he had to drop his pinkies to get a grip on it,” said our tester.
Weights
Most athletes will be satisfied with the nine available weights — 9, 13, 18, 26, 35, 44, 53, 62, and 70 pounds — in Iron Bull’s kettlebell corral, but serious strength seekers may be let down by its lack of heavier options. Nike, for example, manufactures kettlebells up to 88 pounds, while Rogue and Kettlebell Kings have options up to 203 pounds. “One of the only reasons to not purchase one of these kettlebells is if you need more than 70 pounds of weight,” said Jake Herod, BarBend’s expert product tester.
Herod also noted that the weight of each Iron Bull Kettlebell is evenly balanced with a flat base, a result of the gravity-casting process. Also, because this manufacturing process creates each kettlebell from a single piece of cast iron, there’s no welding binding the bell to the handle, which means there’s no risk of that welding coming loose over time. Swing, thrust, and deadlift it all you like — this kettlebell is with you for the long haul.
If you’re planning on scooping up multiple Iron Bull kettlebells, their color coding will provide a helpful visual cue for identifying their weights. With vibrant pops of red, purple, pink, green, and orange, they can also help liven up gyms cloaked in varying shades of gray.
Surface Finish
This cast iron kettlebell has a powder coat finish that works to prevent chips, scratches, and corrosion. It’s also nice to look at, having been described by our testers as “shiny,” “beautiful,” and “cool.” Herod, especially, found the design to be an improvement over the “dull matte finish” you’ll find on many kettlebells. He rated its coat a 4 out of 5, noting that, though it feels and looks great, it could be a little grippier.
Herod also appreciated that Iron Bull’s logo, which is stamped on each kettlebell, doesn’t jut out from the iron as much as logos do on other kettlebells. “When the logos are too prominent, I find they can chafe the skin during cleans or other movements where I’m pressing the kettlebell against my body,” he said.
What to Consider Before Buying the Iron Bull Kettlebell
A cast iron kettlebell is something you’ll likely have in your gym for a long time, so it’s worth it to weigh your options before buying one. As you research the best kettlebell for your needs, we’d recommend zeroing in on its price, dimensions, and weight options.
Weight Options
Iron Bull offers its kettlebell in nine available weights: 9, 13, 18, 26, 35, 44, 53, 62, and 70 pounds. For most athletes, that should be plenty to provide a challenge during strength training sessions. If you’ve big gains in mind for your glutes, though, you may find a 70-pound cap to be limiting to your growth.
While DMoose offers the same weight range as Iron Bull, kettlebells from brands like Rogue and Kettlebell Kings go up to 88 and 203 pounds, respectively. “I think one of the only reasons to not purchase one of these kettlebells is if you need more than 70 pounds of weight,” said Jake Herod, BarBend’s expert product tester.
Price
Kettlebells don’t come cheap, and price is a key factor when you’re likely to be picking up more than one. Iron Bull’s are some of the most affordable, high-quality kettlebells we’ve tested, with Jake Herod, BarBend’s expert product tester, calling them “one of the best budget kettlebell purchases you could make.”
Their lightest kettlebell, which clocks in at 9 pounds, will run you $30. Compare that to 9-pound kettlebells from Kettlebell Kings and DMoose, which cost $69.99 and $45, respectively. REP Fitness and Rogue’s kettlebells run for similar prices to Iron Bull, but the latter lacks color coding and the former lacks a powder coat finish.
You’ll also want to consider shipping costs, which can drive up the price exponentially. Iron Bull offers free shipping on orders over $150, but Kettlebell Kings and DMoose offer it on all orders. Whether you’re buying a single kettlebell or a whole set, you’ll want to weigh all of your options (including shipping costs) in order to make the most of your budget.
Size and Dimensions
To ensure you’re performing exercises safely, you’re going to want a kettlebell with a handle you can comfortably wrap both hands around. The grip thickness of Iron Bull’s kettlebells ranges between 30 and 40 millimeters, depending on the weight, which is standard for powder coat kettlebells.
That said, those with larger hands may want to test out a few different sizes before purchasing. Though both of our testers had no issues wrapping their hands around the 32-millimeter handle of the 26-pound weight, a colleague with larger hands found they had to drop their pinkies to get their mitts on it.
Iron Bull Kettlebell Vs. The Competition
On the surface, there’s not much that distinguishes one kettlebell from another. By comparing the Iron Bull Kettlebell to some of its most popular competitors, though, you can see where they differ in areas like price, weight range, warranty, and shipping. We also included the REP Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell so you can see where an adjustable option lands in relation to traditional kettlebells.
As you can see, the Iron Bull Kettlebell is the least expensive option here, though there are areas where its competitors demonstrate their appeal. Kettlebell Kings, for example, provides a larger weight range than Iron Bull, and also slips a rubber base on each of its bells. They also back up their bells with a lifetime warranty. Iron Bull offers a limited lifetime warranty, which means it covers defects in materials and workmanship, but does not cover standard wear and tear.
Also, Kettlebell Kings, REP Fitness, and DMoose all offer free shipping, while Iron Bull charges for shipping on orders under $150. If you’re planning on buying just a single kettlebell, that could impact your decision.
If you’re looking for variety but pale at the price of a full set, an adjustable option with removable weight plates is worth investigating. Though REP Fitness’ least-expensive adjustable kettlebell costs $25 more than the heaviest Iron Bull kettlebell, it may save you money in the long run, with its five-in-one design relieving you of having to purchase five individual weights. Like most adjustable kettlebells, though, REP’s caps out at 40 pounds, which is 30 less than Iron Bull’s heaviest kettlebell.
Places to Buy the Iron Bull Kettlebell
You can buy the Iron Bull Kettlebell through Iron Bull’s website.
Warranty
The Iron Bull Kettlebell is backed by a limited lifetime guarantee, which covers defects in materials and workmanship, but not standard wear and tear. Iron Bull also offers a 30-day money back guarantee. As such, we scored its warranty a 4 out of 5.
Customer Experience
Iron Bull offers free shipping in the U.S. for orders over $150, as well as a 30-day return and exchange window for eligible items. We were unable to find a phone number for customer support, though you can initiate the return and exchange process using their website’s online portal. You can also email them at [email protected].
Company Information
Iron Bull specializes in top-quality strength equipment — barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, plates, racks, and benches — and the sleeves, wraps, straps, and belts necessary to train safely. The company works to encourage community among its faithful, with its Iron Squad membership offering customers the opportunity to trial new products and get early word about product drops and promotions.
In Conclusion
Kettlebells are an excellent addition to any gym, capable of adding a challenge to upper- and lower-body workouts that target a wide array of muscles. There’s plenty we like about the Iron Bull Kettlebell, from its gravity-cast construction and striking powder coat to the colors affixed to each bell to make weight identification easy.
We did, however, have a few issues with the grip, which we found a touch slick during swings. But with nine available weights at a price of $30 to $125 — between 25 and 50 percent less expensive than some of its competitors — we find them to be one of the most budget-friendly (and high-quality) kettlebells on the market. You just may want to order them with a side of chalk.
FAQs
How much does the Iron Bull kettlebell cost?
The Iron Bull Kettlebell comes in nine different weights — 9, 13, 18, 26, 35, 44, 53, 62, and 70 pounds — and costs between $30 and $125. This is roughly the same amount you’ll pay for kettlebells from REP Fitness and Rogue, but between 25 and 50 percent cheaper than powder coat kettlebells from DMoose and Kettlebell Kings, respectively.
What’s the heaviest Iron Bull kettlebell?
Iron Bull’s kettlebells span 9 to 70 pounds. While that should be plenty for the average user — many athletes opt for kettlebells between 26 and 44 pounds — serious strength trainers may be disappointed by the 70-pound cap. There are heavier options available from other brands, however — Kettlebell Kings, for example, offers kettlebells up to 203 pounds.
Are Iron Bull kettlebells cast iron?
Yes. Iron Bull offers two different types of kettlebells. Both are forged from a single piece of cast iron and feature a corrosion-resistant black powder coat. One, however, comes with a vinyl coating that works to reduce noise and protect your floors and equipment.
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