Fitness Flohmarkt · Guide
Competition Kettlebell vs. normal Kettlebell: the difference
Material and design · Choose your weight · Build a set · Competition and dimensions
Same ball, different price? Not quite. Here, the dimensions of both types are compared side by side, along with the values from the official competition rulebook and a clear answer on when the higher price is worth it.
In short
The Competition range compared here keeps the same dimensions: 28 cm height, 21 cm body diameter and 33 mm handle. The Cast Iron range grows with weight. Consistent dimensions simplify comparison across weights; heavier loads still require appropriate control.
The core in three points
What is the difference between a competition kettlebell and a standard one?
The difference lies in three things: size, grip, and price. A Competition Kettlebell measures 28 cm in height and 21 cm in diameter for every weight, the handle has a constant diameter of 33 mm and a circumference of 104 mm. A 4 kg bell is therefore exactly the same size as a 32 kg bell, the difference lies solely on the inside. A normal cast iron kettlebell, on the other hand, grows with the weight: at 4 kg it is 16.5 cm high and has a 29 mm handle diameter, at 32 kg it is 28.5 cm and 39 mm. Then there is the material. The competition series is made of cast steel and manufactured to a fixed external dimension, the normal series of cast iron in one piece without weld seams. This affects the price: For the same weight of 4 kg, the bell costs in Kettlebell selection as Competition CHF 40.-, as Cast CHF 16.-.
Everything else follows from these three points. Anyone who wants to see the designs including the urethane and soft variants side by side can find them in the Kettlebell Buying Guide. For a direct comparison of the two designs in question, this table is sufficient:
| Feature | Competition | Standard cast iron kettlebell |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Cast steel | cast iron, one piece |
| Height | 28 cm at any weight | 16.5 to 28.5 cm, depending on weight |
| Sphere diameter | 21 cm for any weight | 9 to 20 cm, depending on weight |
| Handle diameter | 33 mm for any weight | 29 to 39 mm, depending on weight |
| Handle circumference | 104 mm for any weight | 91 to 123 mm, depending on weight |
| Weight classes | 12 steps, 4 to 32 kg | 12 steps, 4 to 48 kg |
| Gradation | 2 kg to 20 kg, then 4 kg | consistently 4 kg |
| Color coding | whole ball, by weight | Grip by Weight |
| Price from | CHF 40.- each | CHF 16.00 each |
Both designs have a flat base. That alone does not establish tip-resistant support for push-ups or renegade rows. Check intended use and set the bells down under control.
The rulebook
What mass does the competition standard prescribe?
The IUKL edition effective from 01.01.2025 specifies in sections 4.2–4.3: 280 mm height, 210 mm body diameter, 32–35 mm handle and a maximum 50 g weight deviation. It replaces the 2017 edition previously cited here. Event regulations and the organiser’s approved equipment also apply.
The listed 28 cm height, 21 cm body diameter and 33 mm handle fall within those dimensions. That does not establish federation approval. Check the planned model and current event regulations before a championship.
The growing sphere
How much does a standard kettlebell grow with its weight?
Significantly stronger than most expect. Across the cast iron series from 4 to 48 kg, the bell increases by 12 cm in height, the diameter grows from 9 to 20 cm, and the handle circumference from 91 to 123 mm. This becomes clear with a single number: the lightest 4 kg competition bell is 28 cm high, making it the exact same height as a 28 kg cast iron bell. Seven times as heavier, the same size. Practically speaking, this means two things. First, at each cast iron step, the bell rests slightly differently against your forearm, which you feel during cleans and snatches, but hardly at all during swings. Second, the grip changes as well: a 32 mm difference in circumference between the lightest and the heaviest bell is a lot when you are doing high-repetition, single-arm work. The complete values for each level are listed here:
| Weight | Height | Diameter | Handle diameter | Handle circumference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kg | 16.5 cm | 9 cm | 29 mm | 91 mm |
| 8 kg | 19.5 cm | 12 cm | 33 mm | 104 mm |
| 12 kg | 22 cm | 14 cm | 34 mm | 107 mm |
| 16 kg | 24.5 cm | 16 cm | 35 mm | 110 mm |
| 20 kg | 25 cm | 17 cm | 36 mm | 113 mm |
| 24 kg | 27 cm | 18 cm | 37 mm | 116 mm |
| 28 kg | 28 cm | 19.5 cm | 38 mm | 119 mm |
| 32 kg | 28.5 cm | 20 cm | 39 mm | 123 mm |
| 36 to 48 kg | 28.5 cm | 20 cm | 39 mm | 123 mm |
It’s interesting to note where the two designs converge: At 8 kg, the cast iron ball has exactly the same grip as any Competition ball—namely, 33 mm with a circumference of 104 mm. So if you start with an 8-kg cast iron kettlebell and later move up to 16 kg, you’ll switch from 33 to 35 mm. In the Competition series, the grip remains at 33 mm. It is precisely this upright grip that justifies the extra cost. Incidentally, just how quickly a kettlebell’s size makes a difference in everyday use is also evident in the Goblet Squat, where the elbows used to hit the thighs with large balls.
Read colors
What do the colors of competition kettlebells mean?
Colour helps identification; still read the weight marking. The current IUKL colour table lists 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and 40 kg. The table below shows our range’s colours and whether each weight appears in that table. Additional training weights may use their own colours.
| Weight | Color | In the IUKL 2025 colour table |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kg | gray | no, convention |
| 6 kg | red | no, convention |
| 8 kg | pink | Yes |
| 10 kg | orange | no, convention |
| 12 kg | blue | Yes |
| 14 kg | brown | no, convention |
| 16 kg | yellow | Yes |
| 18 kg | black | no, convention |
| 20 kg | violet | Yes |
| 24 kg | green | Yes |
| 28 kg | orange | Yes |
| 32 kg | red | Yes |
The labeling works differently for cast balls: the handle is colored instead of the entire ball, and the ball itself remains black. The rubberized version has the weight additionally printed, front and back.
The decision
When is a competition kettlebell worth it and when is it not?
Competition design may suit you if you want consistent handle and body size across loads for cleans, jerks or snatches. It is also an option at home, but not a requirement for effective training. Compare grip and forearm contact with a suitable cast-iron bell. Materials belong in the main guide; quantities belong on the Set page.
Competition Kettlebell
- Cast steel
- 28 cm height
- 21 cm in diameter
- Handle 33 mm
- 12 steps, 4 to 32 kg
- from CHF 40.-
Height, diameter, and handle remain identical across all twelve levels, graduated up to 20 kg in 2 kg increments. Color-coded over the entire sphere, flattened bottom, price per piece.
Ideal for: Kettlebell sport, highly repetitive technical training, and gyms with a full range of weights.
View competition kettlebell
Kettlebell Cast Iron
- Cast iron
- in one piece
- 16.5 to 28.5 cm height
- Handle 29 to 39 mm
- 12 steps, 4 to 48 kg
- from CHF 16.-
Cast without seams, color-coded handle, flattened bottom. As a single series, it goes up to 48 kg, thereby also covering heavy two-handed swings for which there is no step up in the competition series.
Ideal for: Home gym and commercial gym without competition ambition, with progression over the years.
Watch Cast IronThe checked rack measures 150 × 58 × 76 cm, with two 147 × 23 cm shelves and a listed maximum of 300 kg. It specifies up to 12 Competition or 20 standard bells, depending on shape and weight. Those counts do not define a universal width per bell. Check your range against shelf area and total load.
Frequently Asked Questions
Competition Kettlebell: the most important answers
What is a competition kettlebell?
A competition kettlebell is a kettlebell whose outer dimensions are identical for every weight: 28 cm in height, 21 cm in diameter, and 33 mm in handle diameter. It originates from kettlebell sport, is made of cast steel, and is color-coded by weight across the entire ball because the increments would otherwise be indistinguishable.
What specifically is the difference between Competition and cast iron?
The size and the handle. The cast iron kettlebell grows from a height of 16.5 cm at 4 kg to 28.5 cm at 32 kg, and the handle circumference from 91 to 123 mm. The competition kettlebell remains at 28 cm and 104 mm. In addition, there is the material: cast steel versus one-piece cast iron.
Why is the competition kettlebell more expensive?
Because the outer dimension is fixed and the weight is achieved through the internal structure. Bringing a light ball to a height of 28 cm is more complex than casting a small ball. At the same weight of 4 kg, the competition ball costs CHF 40, and the cast ball costs CHF 16.
Are all competition kettlebells the same size?
Within the range shown, yes. Manufacturers and federations can differ. The checked IUKL 2025 edition specifies 280 mm height, 210 mm body diameter and a 32–35 mm handle. Matching dimensions do not establish approval.
Do I need a competition kettlebell for home?
It is an option, not a requirement. Handle and body size should suit your movements. Consistent dimensions may help at home too, but do not guarantee better technique.
What do the colors of the competition kettlebells mean?
They are an identification aid. Read the weight marking, especially for extra training weights or different manufacturers. The table above is checked against IUKL 2025.
Do competition kettlebells fit in a standard kettlebell rack?
It depends on shelf area, bell size and total load. The linked rack lists up to 12 Competition bells and a maximum of 300 kg. Meet both limits and ensure suitable load distribution.
Can I drop a competition kettlebell?
Set it down under control and follow product and flooring instructions. A protective mat guarantees neither damage-free drops nor sufficient sound insulation.
Select a sphere with uniform mass
Twelve increments from 4 to 32 kg, up to 20 kg in 2 kg steps, color-coded and individually selectable.
View competition kettlebellSource of competition values
Competition values checked on 26.10.2026 against the IUKL International Rules of Judging, effective from 01.01.2025, sections 4.2–4.3, page 9. Product dimensions come from the shop listings and do not establish federation approval.