Customer Reviews

Weider SpaceSaver 20-Pound Adjustable Kettle Bell

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this through [...] for about [...] less, AND no shipping. With site-to-store there is no shipping, you just have to go and pick it up.

That being said, I am still on the fence about the shape of this kettlebell (which is why I gave it only 3-stars, it could go either way). While the adjustable weight plates seem like a great feature, the shape of the bell is questionable. It is not rounded like a russian kettlebell and after the second workout, my forearms were swollen and slightly bruised. I have read on other sites that there are forearm guards that can help ease the soreness, but first I am going to try just cutting the tops of my husband's crew socks and using those as wristbands. I will update in a week or two.

As for kettlebells in general, they are amazingly effective and a great way to start your day and get you going. It is just simple old school training of large muscle groups and tons of sweat.

****UPDATE 8/25/09****
As promised, I am updating my review...
I ended up returning the powerbell because of the shape. Even with wristbands I found it to be uncomfortable. As soon as I went to old-school kettlebells, the bruises on my wrist/forearms went away.
So the theory behind the adjustable weights was clever, it just didn't deliver for me.

It is a great idea if you live in an apartment and have no space for a kettle bell rack but the construction of this bell may cause you a bit of pain if you screw up and exercise, so you may want to get some forearm guards so be prepared to spend another $20. Another downside this bell is noisy every time you swing, the plates rattle pretty loud.

I wanted to get into kettle bell workouts for a change in my regimen. I mentioned this to my wife who found the Weider Powebell on sale at a sporting goods store. After my first workout, which was pretty good (although for someone who's already fit, 20LBs is not really heavy enough - they have a 40LB too) I had exactly the same problem as in the review by B McRae. I noticed that no matter how I positioned my wrists, the Powerbell top edge dug into my forearm quite a bit. After the workout was finished, my forearm, just above the wrists were really bruised...and I don't bruise easily. Today is two days after the workout, and I figure this will not clear up for another few days.

As I destroyed the packaging opening it, I cannot return it, so am going to be forced to buy the wrist guards and hope they are sufficiently padded to prevent further injury. Its a shame, because the workout with a kettle bell is really good and challenges muscles in a different way than regular resistance training.

I got this thinking it would be more practical to have one adjustable kettlebell rather than having to buy more bells as I get stronger, but it is just not worth it. Although I'm loving my kettlebell workouts, I just couldn't do some exercises without seriously hurting my forearms. I even bought heavy wrist pads, but they didn't help. I finally caved and bought a good vinyl-coated cast iron kettlebell, and it is SO much better. I can do everything with this one, and because of the more compact size, it's much easier to use. (I highly recommend the J Fit.) I wish I had just invested in a set of good kettlebells in the first place. The fact is you need different weights for different exercises anyway, so it's easier to have multiple weights than to stop to change the plates on this one.

Don't put ANY value on the DVD that comes with set. The one we received started out fine then pixelated and jumped around with weird sound AND there was NO scratch on the disc so it was internal. We bought this from SEARS for $65.00. So far it works fine BUT without the DVD which we thought would be worth about $14 or so of the price we feel ripped off. I was on hold over 90 minutes yesterday trying to get a customer service rep and never did AND on the internet site on chat and was told they don't handle any of that. so, we can't get a replacement DVD and must spend even more $$ on a workout DVD to show us the variation in exercises. I won't ever buy anything from Weider again!

I bought this product after using the kettlebells at the gym. Being as busy as I am I don't have time to make it to the gym. But, the workout and weight adjusting is outstanding. Im losing weight and gaining muscle. Great Product..