Renowned fitness expert and life coach Jillian Michaels may have found her fame as a TV personality, but she has since built her own fitness empire. With her books, podcasts, an app, and DVDs dedicated to helping people to get fit, it is no surprise that she also has her own line of equipment, including kettlebells.
The Jillian Michaels Ultimate Kettlebell Set may complete the Jillian Michaels lifestyle, but how do they measure up as kettlebells?.
Jillian Michaels Kettlebell Set
The best part about purchasing the Jillian Michaels Kettle Bell Set is all the added bonuses that come with the set.
The Good
In your package you receive a 5, a 10, and a 15 pound kettlebell, a complete storage tray, an exercise chart, and an instructional DVD. Depending on where you look, you can find all of for a great value.
The kettlebells themselves are made of vinyl. Even though they aren’t cast iron like most kettlebells, they are still designed to withstand your most intense cardio workouts. The best part about vinyl is that it is easy to clean.
A quick wipe down is really all you need. This will definitely work to your advantage if you like to do your workouts outside in the grass.
What you Get
- 5-pound, 10-pound, and 15-pound kettlebells
- Durable vinyl casing with filler
- Instructional DVD with fitness tips
- Storage Tray
They also have an extra wide handle so they can be grasped comfortably with two hands. This is a big plus because a handle that’s too small could pinch your hands, making some exercises uncomfortable.
Having a handle that is comfortable for you is one of the most important considerations for kettlebell buying. The handles on these kettlebells are sure to be a good size for most hands.
Another plus for these kettlebells is that the weight range is great for true beginners. Anyone can pick up one of these kettlebells without being overwhelmed by the amount of weight.
Also, the kettlebells come with a storage tray so you can keep the kettlebells neatly in your home without having to worry about them being scattered. This storage tray will make it easy to find a space for kettlebells in your basement, garage, living room, or even your car.
While the equipment is great, the best part about this set is the DVD that shows you how to do a Jillian Michaels kettlebell workout. While it is not a workout DVD, it will still provide you with tips on proper form and some workout ideas you can implement. This is another reason that this kettlebell set is good for the beginner.
You can’t beat getting Jillian Michaels as your instructor. She has developed her own way of teaching her Jillian Michaels kettlebell workouts that will help you develop a solid basis for your future kettlebell training.
The Not As Good
While these kettlebells may work for beginners, this set offers no room for advancement since the heaviest weight is 15 pounds. Additionally, this is too light for anyone who has had any previous weight training. In fact, the recommended starting weight for a woman in average shape is 18 pounds.
You probably won’t even use the 5-pound option, since it is pretty much useless for any strength kettlebell exercises. You can’t get the proper feel of ballistic moves, like a kettlebell swing, with a 5-pound kettlebell. You need to have enough weight for a kettlebell to activate your stabilizer muscles to get the real feel of the movement. If you find yourself in need of a 5 pound weight, you are better off using a dumbbell.
The Downside
- No room for advancement in weight
- Slippery grip due to vinyl material
- Often out of stock
Another downside of these kettlebells is that they are made of vinyl. While vinyl may be easy to clean, it is not the best material for a kettlebell. It makes the kettlebells more difficult to grip.
The best material for kettlebells is usually single cast iron, because it means no weak spots or uneven seams. Because these kettlebells are made of vinyl, they have a seam on the handle that can be uncomfortable for your hands. However, this problem can be remedied with a good pair of weight lifting gloves. But of course this adds an extra expense to your purchase.
Not only is the grip uncomfortable, the vinyl may also prove slippery which can lead to dropping and these kettlebells may not stand up to being dropped very well. The last thing you want is being forced to buy a new kettlebell because you broke one when it slipped out of your hands.
Finally, the biggest problem with this particular kettlebell set is that they are hard to find. They are frequently unavailable on Amazon and the websites of other retailers. They are not even sold in the official Jillian Michaels shop. However, they are consistently available on Groupon.
- Kettlebell set with 5-pound, 10-pound, and 15-pound kettlebells
- Strengthens your core and challenges your muscles
- Integrated wrist pads for comfort, even while swinging
Conclusion
Overall, the Jillian Michaels Kettle Bell Set is a good kettlebell set for beginners. They are a cheap option for getting started with kettlebells before you are ready to buy a cast iron set, or a versatile adjustable kettlebell. The DVD they come with and the storage tray are some added bonuses to make the set worth your while.
You can get a good feel for kettlebell training and get instruction on how to do Jillian Michaels kettlebell workouts. Plus, they are easy to maintain and store, so they won’t take up too much space in your home.
However, these kettlebells are not suitable for those who have already had some weight training experience. The weight range in this set is too low for anyone who intends to advance in their kettlebell training. Additionally, the vinyl material makes for an uncomfortable grip without gloves.
While you can’t beat the price of these kettlebells, if you’re looking to really delve into your kettlebell training the Jillian Michaels Kettle Bell Set is not worth the money. You are much better off just buying one or two high quality cast iron kettlebells.
Jillian Michaels may dominate the fitness world, but her kettlebells are definitely meant for novices. If you start with these kettlebells you will quickly find yourself moving beyond what they can offer you. So, they will be good to learn the ropes, but don’t expect them to last you a lifetime.
