Any hollow comp bell recs outside of Bells of Steel and KB Kings? Any Kettlebell USA owners?

[steveng]

I moved up to 24kg a minute ago on my never ending DFW routine. Currently using a KB King comp bell and one of their adjustable bells. Long story short, it isn’t working out. The balance in the adjustable isn’t right and you can really feel the weights clang around. The combo of hollow bell meeting filled bell annihilates any momentum in a set. I don’t feel like I’m going to make adequate progress without adequate gear.

I’d wait for KB Kings to restock but they have 0 idea when they’ll have the 24kg in stock (I’ve been waiting since December). So, much to the detriment of my pockets, I’m looking to buy a pair of 24kg bells.

Currently looking at Kettlebell USA’s 35mm bells. They look gorgeous, but can’t find much on them online. Thanks for reading.

Edit: Settled on Pro Kettlebell Apollos. Thanks to everyone who gave input!

 

[ffrankie]

@steveng IMO KBUSA > KBK/BoS

That being said my current faves are pro kettlebell Apollos

 

[sophiew41]

@ffrankie Pro Kettlebell is the way. Will not buy any other comp bells going forward

 

[steveng]

@ffrankie Those look really nice! My only fear is the jutting ‘nubs’ with the weight label might clang and twist my wrists around. Do pictures make them look more obtrusive than they really are?

 

[ffrankie]

@steveng They're not obtrusive.

Here's a couple reviews that go through the design:

There's more reviews on YT too.

I have KBUSA and ProKBs, but ever since I got my ProKBs I don't touch my KBUSAs much (except for the weight I don't have in ProKBs). I've been trying to sell off my KBK comps without much luck

 

[steveng]

@ffrankie Well, I just ordered a pair of 24kg painted Apollos. One of your vids and a few others on YT sold me. A lot of thought went into designing these bells. Can't wait! Cheers for the recommendation.

 

[ffrankie]

@steveng Congrats, I hope you like them as much as I do

 

[steveng]

@ffrankie Question, do the protruding ‘nubs’ with the weight on them ever clang awkwardly when doing double cleans/swings?

 

[ffrankie]

@steveng I don't notice it any more than regular comp bells

 

[wezo777]

@steveng I have 28/36/44/48kg bells from KBUSA. They are all fantastic quality and I’m very happy with them.

 

[pastor4jesus]

@steveng I have three of the 35mm pro elites from Kettlebells USA. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Just fantastic bells.

 

[steveng]

@pastor4jesus Thanks for the advice! Of course they only have one 35mm 24kg left after making the choice to snag a pair, just my luck

 

[babytoe]

@steveng They are DA BOMB

 

[wordsinthewater]

@steveng I definitely prefer KBUSA bells to KBK bells due to the geometry of the handle and window. The window is larger allowing for a deeper hand insertion, placing the bell lower on the arm/wrist that feels great.

That being said, the value of the KBK/BOS adjustables really can't be beat, and for anyone that is space or budget constrained, I highly recommend them. I have a full set of KBUSA bells, and two KBK adjustables.

 

[stefan612]

@steveng Curious about this as I’ve never tried an hollow kb, what’s the difference you feel? Gotta buy two new kb and I don’t know if spend less and buy a “classic” filled comp kb or spend more and buy hollow ones.

 

[steveng]

@stefan612 Hollow bells just have superior balance due to their center of mass being concentrated right below the handle. They “fly” very well and feel “faster” than your average filled comp KB.

I got the pro-kettlebell Apollos and I will never buy KBs from another company going forward. They are that good. They are faster than the KB-Kings bells, easier on the forearms, and force you to insert your hands at the proper time. They force your form to get better, it’s nuts.

Cheers.