It’s hard to determine what kettlebell weights you should choose. We can only offer recommendations, as it’s not an exact science. How much you can lift, and how much experience you have with kettlebells, most determines what the right kettle weights are for you.

As a general rule of thumb, the average male should start out with a 16 kilo kettlebell. As he gains more training experience, he may progress to a 24 kilo bell. The 24 kilo kettlebell is understood to be the Russian military’s standard weight. That is not to say that every man in the Russian military can lift that weight when starting out, but they will by the time they’re discharged.

Stronger men may train with a 32 kilo bell. 32kg. is a fairly heavy kettle weight for many lifts, but manageable for others.  Pressing a 32kilo kettlebell once may be relatively easy, but if you can snatch it about 20 times in each hand, then it would be reasonable to say you are a very strong individual. Still, many men and some women can do this easily.

A woman who is new to kettlebell weights should try starting with an 8 kilogram kettlebell. Many trained women go well beyond that weight, and are swing 16 -20kg. kettlebells. Others still, as previously mentioned, far surpass those kettle weights. It all comes down to proper training and progression.

You may be thinking that a 16 kilo kettlebell (around 35 pounds) doesn’t sound too heavy, but you should note that the “physics” or form of a kettlebell forces the user to engage their entire body with every lift. Some guys that can easily squat 135lbs., wobble like they’re drunk when trying to squat two 12 kg. kettlebell weights (a whopping 50 pounds).

Unless you’re competing in giravoy sport, (kettlebell competition) don’t get too hung up on the weight of your kettlebell.  If you feel challenged using a 35 pound kettlebell weight, but you easily press 50 lb. on a bar, don’t fret, just keep training.

Remember, it’s not where you start that counts, but where you end up. Train hard, train smart, and get strong.