Best Adjustable Kettlebells UK 2023: Bowflex, JaxJox & More Tested

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Looking to level up your at-home workouts? It's time to bring in the humble kettlebell

Ah, the kettlebell — arguably the most underrated, yet one of the most efficient, tools for at-home training sessions. From swings, squats and snatches to high pulls, clean and rows, this cannonball-shaped weight can be used for countless moves, helping to build strong muscles from head to toe. Gains aside, it's just as effective for heart-rate spiking HIIT sessions and does wonders for your balance, mobility and core strength.

Nab yourself the adjustable kind to keep your lifting zone clutter-free and save some of that hard-earned cash. These space-saving training tools provide up to eight different weights in one compact package, allowing you to progressively hone your muscles, without clogging up your living room with different-sized weights.

Whether you’re after something cheap and cheerful for your at-home pump sessions or you’re willing to splash out on a specced-out model, our experts at the Men's Health Lab tested 10 of the best adjustable kettlebells to help you find your new fitness buddy. Here's a quick round-up of our favourites. For a more detailed review of each, keep scrolling.

Wes Santos, PT and owner of Instate Fitness, is a huge advocate of kettlebell training. ‘Movement patterns such as swinging, pushing, pulling, throwing and hinging mean you get loads of bang for your buck with kettlebells,’ he says. ‘Whatever your goal, you can design a highly effective workout with a single kettlebell and minimal space.’

You can reap the rewards pretty quickly, too. One US study found that just eight weeks of kettlebell training improved participants' aerobic capacity, dynamic balance and core strength by a whopping 70%.

Both traditional kettlebells and adjustable kettlebells have their strengths. Ultimately, it depends on your goals, where you’re working out, the types of moves you plan on using them for, and your budget.

Unless you have an entire set of kettlebells lying around at home, you'd have to shell out every single time you wanted to challenge yourself with a heavier weight. No such issue with adjustables, though — just press a button, twist a dial or whack on some extra plates for more resistance as you progress.

If you opt for a fixed-weight kettlebell, you’re going to be limited in the moves you can perform. 'Adjustable kettlebells allow you to be much more specific with the weights you use for different exercises,' says Santos. Need a lighter weight for your Turkish get-up? No dramas. Want to go heavy on your deadlifts, squats and swings? Done. It's all possible with an adjustable ‘bell.

Yes, adjustable kettlebells are pricier upfront than their fixed-weight counterparts, but they may well be more cost-effective in the long run. The larger initial investment means you get a variety of different weights in one neat little package, with no need to splurge on a new model when you’re ready to lift heavier.

Really, who has space for a bulky rack of kettlebells taking up an entire wall in their home gym set-up? Adjustable kettlebells require minimal storage space while still giving you plenty of weight options. Just like adjustable dumbbells — what's not to love?

Santos shares his favourite full-body KB moves for getting swole at home.

Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and bend your knees to pick up the kettlebell. Keep your spine inline and your core and lats engaged. Drive through your hips without overextending and swing the weight up to shoulder height. Return to the start position and repeat.

Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointed outwards, holding the kettlebell vertically with your hands underneath the weight. Lower yourself into a squat, without rounding your back and keeping your core and glutes tensed throughout. Drive back up through your knees and repeat.

Hold two kettlebells by their handles so the weight is resting on the back of your shoulders. Bend your knees slightly, drive through your legs and straighten them, extending your arms as you raise the kettlebells over your head.

If you’re not au fait, a kettlebell flow combines three different exercises to create one seamless movement. 'They allow you to hit more muscles, build strength, coordination and mobility in a short space of time,' explains Santos.

He recommends connecting a kettlebell swing with a goblet squat and thruster for a full-body blast.

Our Men's Health Lab experts set out on a mission to find the best adjustable kettlebells on the market.

They sourced ten weights from leading brands and put them through some spicy sessions. They tried out a variety of moves, from KB swings and goblet squats to bicep curls and Turkish get-ups, before awarding each model a score for its design, ease of use and overall performance.

Top marks were awarded to ‘bells that allowed us to change the weight quickly, smoothly and securely, with minimal shaking or rattling when in use. The top adjustable kettlebells were also sturdy, easy to wield and had a compact design that didn't obstruct any movement patterns.

Let's get into the swing of things...

Our champ provides six different weights ranging from 3.5 to 18kg, offering plenty of scope for both bodybuilding workouts and gassy full-body blasts. The plates are stacked within a plastic shell, and you can switch up the resistance with a quick twist of the dial, making it an ideal companion for drop sets or supersets that require different weights. The plates that aren't being used remain in the dock, so your workout space stays neat ‘n’ tidy. Win, win.

EXPERT VERDICT: Our tester rated the Bowflex for all manner of static and dynamic moves including RDLs, loaded carries, windmills and the Turkish get-up (goblet squats were a bit awkward, though.) The ergonomic handle was comfy as hell and the ‘bell was easy to manoeuvre, despite its bulky size.

Gadget lovers, meet your new best mate. Essentially a digital version of the Bowflex, this clever connected model lets you select six different weights — from 5.5kg up to 19kg — with the touch of a button. It links to an app, where you can track reps, sets and duration and follow a variety of virtual workouts (particularly handy for newbies). The swanky design will look the business in your home gym — just remember to charge it before a session.

EXPERT VERDICT: Despite all its techy features, the JaxJox was a cinch to set up and use. The buttons were really responsive and changing the load couldn't have been simpler. Any drawbacks? The weight wasn't displayed on the kettlebell, so we didn't know exactly what we were lifting, and it was a tad too cumbersome for exercises like snatches, shoulder press and halos.

Given its relatively wallet-friendly price tag, you get a lot for your money with this compact model. It offers seven weight settings, rising from 3.6kg up to 18kg (adjusted by manually sliding plates in and out of the shell), so it's suitable for lifters of varying abilities. The plates felt secure throughout all movements and there was minimal wobbling or rattling as we worked up a sweat. There's no holding dock for the plates you’re not using, so you may have to lug them around between sets, but that's hardly a dealbreaker.

EXPERT VERDICT: Thanks to the compact, rounded shape and broad, easy to grip handle, this kettlebell was a breeze to wield and didn't get in the way of our lifts. It doesn't allow for super-speedy transitions between exercises, but that may or may not bother you.

Yet another cast iron KB, this one taps out at 18kg and offers six increments from 3.6kg — not heavy enough to hit any PBs but it’ll do the job nicely for isolation moves and sweaty circuits. Our expert rated the compact, rounded design that resembles a classic kettlebell shape, saying it was comfortable to use with a good grippy handle. It has a thick rubber base, so you needn't worry about scratches or dents on your flooring, and there's a security lock, which was appreciated when pressing 18kg overhead.

EXPERT VERDICT: If you want to know exactly what you’re lifting, look to one of our other best adjustable kettlebells — the weight plates aren't labelled so it's difficult to keep track with this one. It's a reliable, cost-effective option, nonetheless.

If you’re new to strength training or want to focus on mobility work, this neat (and affordable) kettlebell is a hot contender. You get four light weights in one, and it's a snap to switch between them mid-workout thanks to the quick lock/unlock system. With a maximum weight of just 5.4kg, it won't help you make major gains, but it will add some resistance to your high intensity circuits. The flat, stable base makes it ideal for moves like renegade rows and push-ups, too.

EXPERT VERDICT: This mini kettlebell is reliable and easy to use (just push the lock button, slide the plates in and twist them in place to secure). Our tester had no trouble manoeuvring the Yanzhi and could get a good grip on the handle, even when dripping with sweat.

If you’re after a no-frills, straightforward model, look no further. This nifty piece of kit packs seven kettlebells into one system, allowing you to go as light as 3.4kg for cardio days or shift 18kg for at-home WODs. The plates need to be changed manually, but they can be added in any order — great if you're in a hurry or wanting to vary the weight distribution. It has a locking mechanism for security and, unlike many designs, the weight of each plate is clearly displayed in kg and lbs on both sides.

EXPERT VERDICT: This ISOGYM offering impressed our tester with a solid performance. The pull mechanism was a little stiff to begin with but switching weights was smooth and straightforward once they got the hang of it. It wasn't the comfiest for overhead lifts and there was some rattling during dynamic movements, but this wasn't too distracting.

Priyankaa is our health and fitness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.

Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist's Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.

Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills. You can follow Priyankaa on Twitter @_priyankaajoshi and on Instagram @priyankaajoshi

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