Haven’t done much with kettlebells aside from the two-handed swing and recently began learning/practicing the single KB snatch and clean.
For those with extensive kettlebell knowledge and experience, do you train with 1 or 2 kettlebells? Was thinking of getting a second KB at the same weight I currently train with but I’m wondering if, I don’t know, “traditionally”, is using just 1 is the way to or can more be accomplished, as was designed or purposed, by using 2?
I definitely don’t consider myself to have extensive knowledge and experience of kettlebells, but they are primarily what I’ve trained with for the past year or so.
They can definitely be used both ways. I believe Mike Mahler (he has a good youtube channel) predominantly trains with double kettlebells, whereas Pavel Tsatsouline seems to primarily recommend training with single kettlebells.
In the past I’ve used doubles, for example for front squats and overhead press, and I’ve really liked them. But for the past good while I’ve just been training with singles (I did Dan John’s 10,000 Swing Routine and now I’m a couple of months into Pavel’s Simple and Sinister).
I’ve personally found that double kettlebell movements (eg the front squat) are more physically draining, and better for conditioning, whereas single kettlebell movements require better stability and “kettlebell strength”. Ah I’m really not doing a good job of articulating this lol. Overall I don’t think there is too much difference between the two ways of training, and you should just go with whichever you personally prefer.
I saw one of the RKC Certification requirements was 100 one-arm snatches in 5 minutes. For my bodyweight, I’d need to use a 44lb KB. Normally, I use the 44 for high-rep two-handed American or Russian swings and a 30 for one-arm swings (snatches, cleans). So, I’m going to get a second 30lb KB for strength work that’s a little less refined (KB front squats, KB thrusters, cleans, etc.) and stick with the heavier one for one-arm snatches.
The idea is that I want to be able to control the heavier KB, one-handed, as per the RKC. 100 snatches with a 44lb KB in 5 minutes is a new goal for me. I like trying to match standards.
alpha_mike, look into some of the KB sport training methods. Though the form is slightly different, the training programs will work out well for you. The good thing about the RKC snatch test is it allows multiple hand switches and can put the bell down if you need to. In sport, you’re only allowed one hand switch and can’t put it down at all. You’d nail 100 pretty quick following some of their training ideas.
My wife and I both started with kettlebells from the RKC but we’re now both into girevoy sport.
Been using kettle bells for over 5 years. I would say get a second of the same size and a heavier bell. First, own the movement with a single kettle bell before trying to use doubles, but that being said?there are lots of things you can do with double while learning the proper form with singles.
Fronts squats, cleans (really learn how to clean properly without banging your wrists), Farmers carries. Rows. I would not try double snatches yet. It will feel like your taking your head off.
I have 2 88 lb. kettle bells that I include in my workouts. I can’t press them, nor clean them. But I use them for rows, double swings, dead lifts and farmers’ carries.
Personally, I sometimes find single work harder, because once you wear yourself on one side with a set then you have to do another, so there is time under tension.
Learn the single basics first. Turkish Get up, Clean and Press, Goblet Squat, Swing (both one and two handed), Snatch. Once you master these with a single bell and the bell gets too light, you can either move to a heavier bell or buy a double. If it were me, I’d buy both.
I have been working with a 24 kilo Kettlebell(only one I have access to) for about the past month, roughly following Dan John’s program. This is my first serious work with a KB, do any of you have any videos of your workouts? or can you recommend something on YouTube? Thanks
Over the weekend I got a second kettlebell. My lighter KB is a 30 pounder. It’s made by Cap Barbell, and I had bought it from Amazon. So, I order another 30lb KB from Cap Barbell through Amazon and it has a completely different handle. The older one has a very wide and thin handle across the KB. The newer one has a narrow and thicker handle, more like the 44lb one I have by Rogue. Two completely different grips. F-ing lame. Haven’t had a chance to use them together yet but I’m assuming it’s going to be a mess for simultaneous rotational swings (cleans, snatches). So, yeah…be careful buying from Cap Barbell. The newer one is great, the older one sucks.
This is one reason I haven’t bought a second yet (I have a single 45-pounder). I don’t want to buy a second unless I can buy one exactly identical to the 45 that I already have. My next KB might just be a heavier one, though, and then later on I might seek the second 45.
Over the years I’ve built up my kettle bell collection. I started with a 16KG and soon picked up a 24KG. Along the way I added another 24KG and a 32KG. You don’t have to have two KB of the same weight to get a great strength workout - just alternate arms when training. However, I really enjoy lifting two 24KG at a time. But if you want to have various weights, you might want to pick up a heavier KB before getting one of the same weight.
Here’s how I did my collection
Bought a 35, 45 and then 2 55’s
Was doing Enter the Kettlebell bought a 62
Then bought a 70
Got another 70, same bell, at Christmas
Bought an 88
18 months later bought another 88. The 88’s aren’t identical, but I have had no issues doing double swings, rows or deadlifts.
Honestly, I would return the 30. You’ll blow right through that, get another 44 from Rogue. Great brand, and reasonably priced. Then I’d get a 52.
I went ahead and ordered another 30lb KB from Cap Barbell through Amazon, and it arrived yesterday. Now, I have two identical 30lb KBs. I’m giving the one that doesn’t match to a friend.
With the two 30s, I mostly do double-arm exercises - cleans/presses and front squats. And I use them to work on my single-arm snatch and clean form and endurance. @ BCFlynn, I hope you’re right and progress in weight quickly. But my wife trains too so it’s no big deal to have a lighter set for her to use.
Right now with the 44lb KB, I can only do a handful of single-arm snatches and cleans. At my gym (when not working out in my garage, I train at a CF Box) I use the 44lb KB for American Swings, and the 53lb KB for Russian Swings. My short/long-term goal is 100 one-arm snatches with 44lb KB in 5 minutes per the RKC for my bodyweight. That’s a pretty stiff challenge even with the 30lbs.
Glad I found this topic. Answered a lot of questions for me. I’ve been using a 30-pound KB for a while and was thinking of adding a second for some of the exercises the OP mentioned. I would like to get a heavier KB, too, probably go up to the 40-45 lbs. range.
What should I expect to pay for a 30- and 40-45 pound KB? The one I have now was given to me as a gift. I’d have to look and see what brand it is.
A 40lb Cap KB is $40 on Amazon.
A 44lb Rogue KB is $55, RogueFitness.com
The Cap KB has a smooth finish while the Rogue KB has the black powder coat finish, and is more grippy. I’m ok using the smoother finish with lighter weight, but wouldn’t want to with a heavier KB.
As mentioned, if you’re going to use double KBs make sure you get the EXACT same brand.
[quote]alpha_mike wrote:
Haven’t done much with kettlebells aside from the two-handed swing and recently began learning/practicing the single KB snatch and clean.
For those with extensive kettlebell knowledge and experience, do you train with 1 or 2 kettlebells? Was thinking of getting a second KB at the same weight I currently train with but I’m wondering if, I don’t know, “traditionally”, is using just 1 is the way to or can more be accomplished, as was designed or purposed, by using 2?
I started out and worked for a while with singles and thats what most people should do as the technique is complex enough with a single bell. After a while and once my form was decent on the basic lifts I started the transition to doubles. (Competition kettlebells are probably the better route if you will mix and match brands but want consistency).
A single kettlebell with some bodyweight exercises (namely pullups and pushups) can really kick your ass.
As stated above double kettlebells add a new degree of strength to the lift by applying more load to your “drivetrain” —your legs, hips and core. With your single kettlebell you are limited by the limitations of the limb holding that one kettlebell.
One KB is great. I train the RKC Deep Six pretty regularly (encompasses most of the major KB exercises) and all you need is one KB.
Two is great, but since I’m so used to the above-mentioned routine I found that with two I’m kinda limited to clean, press, squat. Sure, I can do renegade rows or farmers walks…but the RKC Deep Six, in my opinion, is the most bang for the buck with KB training.
In the end, I only spent about $35 for an extra KB…no big deal.