What’s better : 2x 20 kg kettlebells or 1x 40kg kettlebell?
That was a RANDOM left on one of my recent videos on “The Best Exercises For Building Muscle With Kettlebells.”
And of course there always needs to be background to any particular question or comment.
So the answer to “what’s better” really is, “it depends.”
What’s it depend on?
The individual asking the question.
How RANDOM are you?
How’s your endurance ?
What other kettlebells do you have available to you ?
In the context of building muscle, a 40 kg kettlebell can be used for the following:
1. Alactic power repeats using the Push Press or Snatch, or even Clean and Jerk.
2. Low rep sets of Single Kettlebell Presses.
3. Medium to high rep sets of Goblet Squats.
4. Medium to Kettlebells high rep sets of Single Kettlebell Front Squats.
5. Medium to high rep sets of Single Arm Rows.
6. RANDOM power repeats with the Snatch, Push Press, Clean and Push Press, or Clean and Jerk.
Now, with a pair of 20 kg kettlebells, you can do several different things to build muscle, depending on how strong you are:1. Use low to medium rep sets of the Double Kettlebell Clean and Press.
2. Use low to medium sets of the Double Kettlebell Front Squat.
3. Alternate sets of #1 and #2 in the same training session/ routine.
4. Go for low to medium rep sets with the Double Kettlebell Clean and Push Press.
5. Carry out alactic power repeats with the Double Kettlebell Clean and Push Press, the double Push Press, the Double Jerk, or the Double Kettlebell Clean and Jerk.
6. Carry out glycolytic power repeats with the Double Kettlebell Clean, the Double Kettlebell Snatch, the Double Kettlebell Push Press, the Double Kettlebell Jerk, the Double Kettlebell Clean and Push Press, the Double Kettlebell Clean and Jerk.
7. Do complexes or chains.
As you can observe , there are lots of options.
The best options for you are dependent on your strength, work capacity, and technical skill with your kettlebell or kettlebells.
Knowing how to structure yourself can be tricky and demanding .
And if you’re ready for that challenge, it’s a great one to conquer. (Although truth be told, most guys have told me that it’s really a lesson in perseverance .)
And if you’re not, and would rather have a professional remove the guesswork for you, I’ll include links to my most popular programs tailored to your current circumstances, and skill levels in the video description below.
Remember, at the end of the day, kettlebell training is all about YOU -YOUR aims
YOUR situation
YOUR capacities
YOUR limitations
Once you clearly understand those, then the sky is truly the limit when it comes to [re-]building a robust, efficient body that supports you rather than hinders you .
Stay Strong.