Though the kettlebell was discovered as an exercise tool by the Russian military and is still used today by martial artists, government agencies, and the United States Marines, it also appeals to the average man or woman who seeks to get the heart rate up and sculpt a lean, sleek physique. Kettlebells come in increments of eight, starting at 8kg (or approximately 17 pounds) and ending at a ponderous 48kg (or roughly 106 pounds). The most common weight—and a great place to start for the beginner—is the Russian "pood" or 16 kg (35 pounds).

Tips on Buying Russian Kettlebells

It is recommended that the beginning kettlebell lifter purchase their first piece in person. There are two primary reasons for this. By their very nature, russian kettlebells are extremely heavy and therefore proportionally expensive to have shipped. Second, having a hands-on experience with a kettlebell is a better indicator of the weight one is best starting out with. One way to test a kettlebell's weight for suitability to a person's exercise regimen is the most common exercise: the swing. Take hold of the kettlebell with feet shoulder-width apart, chest up and shoulders back. To begin, squat down while swinging the kettlebell between the legs and then pull it back into the air while standing back up in one, long uninterrupted and dynamic motion. If the 16 kg kettlebell seems too heavy, simply scale down to the next weight.

In short, the Russian kettlebell has proven itself a consummate workout tool that emphasizes a total-body approach with gains in agility, balance, "explosive" strength, coordination and endurance. It serves as a godsend to those favoring simplicity and utility over faddish exercise machines and harmful crash diets.