What Weight Kettlebell Should I Start With?
Quick answer
StrongFirst, the kettlebell training school, publishes starting sets of 8kg, 12kg and 16kg for a woman of average strength and 16kg and 24kg for a man of average strength, one size up for people who are already strong. It says not to start heavier than those weights, however strong you are.
StrongFirst, the kettlebell training school, publishes the starting weights several kettlebell guides echo. For a woman of average strength it lists 8kg, 12kg and 16kg; for a man of average strength, 16kg and 24kg. People who are already strong start one set up the table, and StrongFirst says not to start heavier than its table, however strong you are.
This guide sets out those published starting points, how they match the bells we sell, and when to check with your GP first. It hasn't been reviewed by a personal trainer, and it doesn't give you a programme. A qualified coach can teach the movements and help you choose a weight.
What weight kettlebell should I start with?
StrongFirst's published starting points are a set of two or three bells. The table shows them alongside the colour band and the marking on our bells, so you can match them on the product page. All six weights are in our range; on 10 October 2026 the 12kg was out of stock, so check the product page for today's stock.
| StrongFirst's category | Starting bells | Our colour bands | Marked on our bells |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average strength lady | 8kg, 12kg, 16kg | Blue, orange, yellow | 8KG / 18LB, 12KG / 27LB, 16KG / 35LB |
| Strong lady | 12kg, 16kg, 20kg | Orange, yellow, red | 12KG / 27LB, 16KG / 35LB, 20KG / 44LB |
| Average strength gentleman | 16kg, 24kg | Yellow, green | 16KG / 35LB, 24KG / 53LB |
| Strong gentleman | 24kg, 32kg | Green, grey | 24KG / 53LB, 32KG / 71LB |
StrongFirst's figures are from its kettlebell shop page, read on 10 October 2026. It also notes: "Truly free weights, kettlebells feel a lot heavier than advertised."
Products in this guide
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4kg-40kg Single Cast Iron Kettlebells
From £9.99
£8.33 ex. VATSale priceFrom £9.99
Regular price
£8.33 ex. VAT
£0.00 ex. VATUnit price -
3-Tier Kettlebell Storage Rack 111cm
£140.00
£116.67 ex. VATSale price£140.00
Regular price
£116.67 ex. VAT
£0.00 ex. VATUnit price -
Rubber Gym Flooring Mats (1m x 1m)
From £17.99
£14.99 ex. VATSale priceFrom £17.99
Regular price
£14.99 ex. VAT£32.00
£26.67 ex. VATUnit price
What counts as "strong" in that table?
StrongFirst defines it with one test each. A woman counts as strong if she can do strict push-ups with ease. A man counts as strong if he can bench press more than 100kg. If that's not you yet, the average strength rows apply.
StrongFirst introduces the table with "You need the following bell sizes to get started" and adds: "Even if you are [a] lot stronger than that—powerlifting strong—do not exceed the above starting weights." Its page gives no lower limit; our range starts at 4kg.
Why does the table give two or three weights?
StrongFirst lists a set, not a single bell. It explains why the women's rows have three bells: "Because ladies have a different upper-to-lower-body strength ratio than gents." It makes two points about buying:
- You don't need two of the same. Asked whether you need two bells of the same size, StrongFirst's answer is "No."
- The lighter bells stay useful. When you move up, StrongFirst says "do not retire the lighter ones."
Our bells are sold singly, so on the kettlebell product page you choose each weight and add the ones you want to your basket together.
Should I check with my GP first?
The NHS says to speak to your GP first if you have not exercised for some time, or if you have medical conditions or concerns, and to make sure your activity and its intensity are appropriate for your fitness. That applies to kettlebells as much as anything else.
The NHS guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64 (last reviewed 22 May 2024) count lifting weights as a strengthening activity, and recommend strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups on at least 2 days a week. They don't name a kettlebell weight.
If you're new to kettlebells, a qualified coach can teach the movements and help you choose a weight. This guide describes the equipment and the published starting points; it can't watch your technique.
Which of your kettlebells match, and how are they delivered?
We sell cast iron kettlebells singly in 12 weights from 4kg to 40kg: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and 40kg. Each has a coloured band, and its weight in kg and lb on the back. Every StrongFirst starting set fits in a parcel delivery.
| StrongFirst starting set | Total weight | Delivered by |
|---|---|---|
| 8kg, 12kg and 16kg | 36kg | Parcel courier |
| 12kg, 16kg and 20kg | 48kg | Parcel courier |
| 16kg and 24kg | 40kg | Parcel courier |
| 24kg and 32kg | 56kg | Parcel courier |
Delivery is charged once per order on the shipping weight, which includes packaging: on 10 October 2026, £13.99 up to 40kg and £19.99 up to 60kg. It's free on UK mainland orders over £300. Orders over 100kg go on a pallet to the kerbside. For every weight's colour band and size, see cast iron kettlebells explained.
- Floor. Our flooring page lists 15mm for general home gyms and moderate dumbbell training, and 20mm for free-weight areas and heavier dumbbells. See rubber gym flooring.
- Storage. Our 3-tier kettlebell racks come in 111cm and 153cm lengths; both were out of stock on 10 October 2026, so check the product page.
Other questions
Is a 30kg kettlebell a good first kettlebell? StrongFirst's starting sets go no heavier than 32kg, and that's only in the strong gentleman's row (a bench press of more than 100kg). The heaviest bell in the average-strength rows is 24kg. We don't make a 30kg bell; the nearest are 28kg and 32kg.
Can I start lighter than the table? StrongFirst's page gives no lower limit. Our range starts at 4kg, and the NHS advice to check with your GP first applies if you haven't exercised for a while.
Do I need a pair for each weight? Not to start. StrongFirst says you don't need two bells of the same size. Pairs are an option later, and the product page lets you add two of any weight.
How do kettlebells compare with dumbbells and a barbell? See free weights explained for how the three compare, and what equipment you need for a home gym for where kettlebells fit in a first home gym.
About this guide
This guide sets out published starting points for kettlebell weights; it is not personal training advice, and a personal trainer hasn't reviewed it. The starting weights and definitions are from StrongFirst's kettlebell shop page, and the activity and GP guidance from the NHS physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64, both read on 10 October 2026. Our weights, colour bands and markings are from our product pages and photos. The delivery terms are from our delivery information page. We sell the kettlebells described here.
Written by the Equipped Gym Team. Last reviewed 10 October 2026.
