Kettlebell vs. Dumbbell: Which one wins the Battle?

Fitness enthusiasts can’t stop talking about Kettlebells: a new trend in weight lifting. Creating a corner in almost every gym, some even argue that Kettlebells are better for body sculpting than traditional free weights. Does that make Kettlebells better than dumbbells? Let’s find out: 

Dumbbells: Ideal for Isometric Exercise 

Dumbbells are comparatively inexpensive and can be used to tone up almost every muscle in our body. They are used for basic lifting movements (with exercises such as bicep curls, chest press) and are perfect for isolating one muscle group at once. That’s not it; they are also great for adding weight to basic exercises like squats and lunges.

Kettlebell: Perfect for full body movement 

For a weight loss workout, Kettlebell could be precisely what you need. Most of Kettlebell exercises work on many muscle groups simultaneously. For instance Kettlebell Swing includes shoulders, abdominals, hip flexors, quadriceps, gluteus and hamstrings, all at the same time. From repetition to repetition your heart rate goes up and you get that cardiovascular endurance. 

A Quick Comparison 

Your choice of workout depends on what you're trying to accomplish. Dumbbell helps you bulk up and target specific muscles while Kettlebell brings groups of muscles into the action and adds a cardio component to your workout. Holding the dumbbell lets you focus on a single muscle group. Doing the same exercise with a Kettlebell requires a bit more work. Thus, if building bigger muscles is your goal, dumbbells are a better choice. But, if building strength and muscle power is your preference, go for Kettlebells. 

Dumbbell sits nicely in the hand while gripping Kettlebell can be a little more challenging for exercises except Kettlebell swinging. You can do swing exercises with dumbbells, but you can't replicate many dumbbell exercises with Kettlebells safely. Therefore, having someone at your gym to guide you on Kettlebells exercises is recommended to avoid injuries. 

The Dumbbell is balanced workout equipment, weighted alike on each side. This offers stability in a workout, giving you more control of the movements than Kettlebell. On the other hand, Kettlebells allow training across body planes. Also, Kettlebell improves Functional Strength- a strength that is applicable in everyday life situations.

The Final Verdict

Kettlebells and Dumbbells can be used interchangeably for some exercises, such as lateral raises or bicep curls. Still, they are quite different. They target your muscles differently, work them differently. Therefore, you don't have to replace one for the other; adding both to your workout regimen can give you a balanced approach to look super-fit.