kettlebell
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
These three hand weights all build strength but differ in shape and movement. A kettlebell is a single iron ball with a thick handle on top; the off-centre weight makes it good for swinging movements like the kettlebell swing or the Turkish get-up. A dumbbell has two equal heads on a short bar and stays balanced in the hand — it is the standard tool for curls, presses, and rows. A barbell is a long metal bar loaded with plates at each end and held with both hands; it suits heavy squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. So: choose a kettlebell for swinging and ballistic work, a dumbbell for controlled single-arm work, and a barbell for heavy two-handed lifts.
Common collocations
Nouns
- kettlebell swing
- kettlebell workout
- kettlebell training
- kettlebell class
Phrases
- a set of kettlebells
- a heavy kettlebell
Prepositions
- with a kettlebell
Etymology
A compound of 'kettle' (a round metal pot) and 'bell' (referring to the bell-like shape). The Russian forerunner, the 'girya', appeared in the 1700s and was used at fairs and by soldiers; English-language fitness writers in the late 1900s coined 'kettlebell' to describe the shape — a round body topped by a handle that looks a little like a kettle's lid and a little like a hand-bell.