Why AKC Pro-Grade Kettlebells?

Despite what some manufacturers of "authentic" Russian kettlebells claim - there IS a reason the Pro-Grade kettlebells endorsed by the AKC and WKC as well as the kettlebells used by basically every country outside of the US are designed the way they are. Optimal performance. Take the "leading" brand for instance, they manufacture bells that come in a variety of sizes. The lighter weight bells are small and as the weight increases, so does the diameter of the bell. Why is this a problem? Easy. Try putting the bell in the correct rack position in order to perform presses, jerks, push-presses, etc. You can't. The bell needs to rest between the wrist and the shoulder in the crook of the elbow. You cannot accomplish this with the "leading brand" kettlebells until you get up to the 32kg-40kg bells. Great if you're an advanced lifter, but since there are literally so few people in the US that should be working with 32kg bells or better for reps (sure, most strong people can grab a 70 and press it a couple of times - but I'm talking about REAL kettlebell lifting) most people will find they have to change technique as they increase in bell weight due to the difference in diameter. The smaller bells manufactured by the "leading brand" do not sit well on the arm either, anything 16kg and below sits uncomfortably on my wrist making it very hard to put the bell in the correct rack position. The thicker handles of the "leading brand" can be of great benefit for grip work - however, in my opinion, there are much better grip tools out there than kettlebells. Williams Strength makes a whole line of fat barbells and fat handle attachments for cable machines and Ironmind carries just about every grip tool imaginable under the sun. We use kettlebells for repetition lifting. Kettlebells are fixed weights and are not very heavy, even at 48kg - that is only 106 lbs people. If I want strength work I'm using my texas power bar and iron plates. For rep work, strength endurance and GPP - I'm choosing kettlebells, and in addition to my sled, prowler and battling ropes kettlebells will whip you into shape faster than you thought possible. There's no reason to perform circus stunt exercises with a higher risk to reward ratio - unless of course you want to impress someone. Stick with the core kettlebell lifts - swings, cleans, snatches, presses, push presses, jerks, clean and jerks and all the variations. It is these lifts that the Pro-Grade style of kettlebell reins supreme. First, the thinner diameter handle allows you to use the finger lock technique on swings and snatches - something that is crucial in preventing your hands from getting torn up. No reason to be lame and use gloves or cut up tube-socks on your hands people. Learn good technique and don't worry about ripping your hands and callouses up. Next, the diameter of the bell is the perfect size for sitting in the proper rack position. Think about it, there's a reason this style of bell evolved over time - it works better. I am a car fanatic. My wife and I have had numerous corvettes (including the awesome Z06 and currently a 2008 coupe), a porsche and in addition to the 08' vette we have an awesome 07' Jag XK coupe and after test driving a Lamborghini last week that will be next on our hit list. While I think the first generation corvette is an awesome piece of machinery, it can't hold a candle performance-wise to our 08' vette. Cars evolve into higher performance machines. Kettlebells have evolved as well. There's a reason I love our top of the line high performance sports cars - it's the same reason I love my top of the line high performance kettlebells.

That's why AKC Pro-Grade bells.

-Scott