I'm a fitness writer—here's why an Amazon Basics Kettlebell is one of the best things you can buy during Black Friday

A set of Amazon Basics kettlebells in the home of fitness writer, Lou Mudge

(Image credit: Lou Mudge)

last updated 24 November 2023

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I've been lifting weights for about 10 years and I always come back to the same basic tool: the humble kettlebell. These versatile tools are (in my opinion) superior to the overly simplistic dumbbell, because their off-center weight challenges your balance and opens the door to fun moves like the kettlebell swing.

I specifically like these 45lb kettlebells (currently reduced by 46%) from Amazon's basic range, because the handles are small enough for my hands, so there's no risk of dropping them when I perform an exercise. Another favorite of mine, TruGrit, has a 12lb offering that has 46% off for Black Friday if you're looking for something lighter.

In my opinion, there is little worse than a kettlebell with massive handles that slip out of my grip even when I'm wearing good-quality fitness gloves (I use these from ATERCEL, which cost less than $12.)

The Amazon Basics aren't quite of the quality of competition-standard kettlebells, but they are much better than some of the plastic-coated options available, and even the heavier ones are fairly durable thanks to their cast-iron construction.

If this weight is too heavy for you, there are still some discounts available on other kettlebells in the Amazon basics range.

I use this kettlebell to add extra resistance to my squats. I do goblet squats and squat thrusters holding the kettlebell, and then shift to a lighter weight for some of my other exercises. I also like to add it to my glute bridges, holding it over my hips to increase the difficulty of the exercise. In my opinion, the cast-iron and enamel coating makes these some of the best kettlebells you can buy on a budget.

The great thing about kettlebells is that they're versatile: as well as a range of lower-body kettlebell workouts, the ergonomic design means you can add them to a standard exercise to make it weighted.

Lou Mudge is a Health Writer at Future Plc, working across Fit&Well and Coach. She previously worked for Live Science, and regularly writes for Space.com and Pet's Radar. Based in Bath, UK, she has a passion for food, nutrition and health and is eager to demystify diet culture in order to make health and fitness accessible to everybody.

Multiple diagnoses in her early twenties sparked an interest in the gut-brain axis and the impact that diet and exercise can have on both physical and mental health. She was put on the FODMAP elimination diet during this time and learned to adapt recipes to fit these parameters, while retaining core flavors and textures, and now enjoys cooking for gut health.