A set of kettlebells is a wonderful thing, especially for core exercises. The problem is that there’s no convenient way to store them, not to mention that they cost an arm and a leg if you want to have a good selection of weights.

One solution to this is to use weight plates on a special handle instead, but this is neither very ergonomic nor quiet enough for some home environments (nor, perhaps, totally safe).

As with dumbbells, though, there is a better and more compact solution: a kettlebell you can adjust the weight of just by pulling out and replacing a steel pin.

Powerblock’s 18 to 35 lbs Kettlebell

In the case of this product, the weight you can select varies from 18 pounds up to 35 (8 to 16 kg) in four increments. If you need something that’s either lighter or heavier than these limits, you may want to look at traditional kettlebells as a more economical and flexible option, especially if ease of storage (which is one of this kettlebell’s great virtues) isn’t much of an issue for you.

On the other hand, the quality of this Powerblock product is second to none.

In terms of safety, the handle is reassuringly thick and grippy, while a magnetic lock along with generally solid construction keeps the weights from flying off even during fairly kinetic exercises like Russian jerks. Changing the weight is incredibly fast and simple: simply place it on the floor and move the locking bar to the correct hole.

Aside from the limited weight range, you may also want to pass on this piece of exercise equipment if you plan to use it on tile or wooden floors.

While the bottom weight has a plastic pad to prevent scratching, there’s no similar protection once you remove it. On the other hand, it may be time to simply invest in a padded workout mat, which makes a surprising difference if your knees aren’t what they used to be.