a cheap substitute for kettlebells??

**cmedwin** · Posted On: 10/14/2006 11:53am

Hi Shido Nation,

Here's a site
http://michelsalvadori.free.fr/Site-...ettlebell.html
with a BJJ competitor using the kettlestacks for conditioning.
I don't think much is lost in the translation.

**taekwondoguy** · Posted On: 10/17/2006 4:26pm

You could probably make some like el macho said with some metal or wood(not as strong) but since you are going to buy some I guess you don't have to.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 10/17/2006 10:54pm

It may be possible to make a homemade kettlebell, a ghetto-kettle. I would go with solid concrete rather than sand, though. However, the versatility of those kettlestacks is great.

**LiaoRouxin** · Posted On: 10/17/2006 11:40pm

There's a lot of really creative exercises with dumbbells, too. Dumbbells are cheap and easily available.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 10/18/2006 9:40pm

The thing with dumbells is that the handles are too narrow so they don't engage your wrist, thumb, hand, grip, forearms and stabilizing muscles the same way kettlebells do.

But certainly, a good set of dumbells can do wonders when working out at home.

**andrewa** · Posted On: 10/18/2006 11:38pm

Originally Posted by El Macho

There is something I've been playing with lately, by grabbing dumbbells via a towel rather than the handle. It's it certainly not the same as kettlebells, but doing pench presses or overhead presses with those... while trying to keep the dumbbells from swinging too much, that's a bitch.

Not too long ago T-mag (Testosterone Magazine) had an article about using a towel wrapped around a dumbell as a poor man's kettlebell. The article also suggested some exercises. I think the article may have actually been called "Poor Man's Kettlebell".

But I know it's always fun to have the real thing. I used to use a coconut shell as a jock stap. Worked like a charm but I eventually gave in and got a plastic guard based on pure vanity.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 10/19/2006 11:40am

Originally Posted by andrewa

Not too long ago T-mag (Testosterone Magazine) had an article about using a towel wrapped around a dumbell as a poor man's kettlebell. The article also suggested some exercises. I think the article may have actually been called "Poor Man's Kettlebell".

But I know it's always fun to have the real thing. I used to use a coconut shell as a jock stap. Worked like a charm but I eventually gave in and got a plastic guard based on pure vanity.

That's what I've been doing lately. I tried doing turkish get ups with that... and that's a bitch to do. :viking:

**kracker** · Posted On: 10/29/2006 4:53pm

Well my kettlestacks finally came. All in all I'm highly impressed, they really arent that hard to assemble/change weight and swinging em they dont (to me) feel significantly different from regular kettlebells and the handles are really comfy. I am getting a second one and would definately recommend them to a friend. If I have time I might write a more than 5 line review but bottom line is that they met my expectations and that is a pretty rare thing when it comes to internet fitness toys.