Kettlebell Versus Dumbbell in Russia
By Eric Liford
I wasn’t surprised to see Dumbbells in Russia, or Kyrgyzstan for that matter, but I was surprised to see the same type of markings caste into the metal as are in most Kettlebells from Europe and Asia. See, during Soviet times, prices were fixed, so there was no way to cheat the System; the price was imprinted right into the tools themselves. It’s hard for us Americans to understand this thinking, I know, but this five week trip was not to learn about the differences in our Systems, but to find out as much as possible about Kettlebells. Besides, Russians understand Capitalism very well already, trust me!
So why was I surprised about the markings then? Well, I was led to believe (before Valery) that the Kettlebell was the Russian alternative to the Dumbbell. You know, Russian simplicity or rather scarcity… The idea that the Russians couldn’t afford a full set of Dumbbells ranging from 5lb-100lb or more like we have always had in our gyms in the USA. The idea that they only had access to a few weights (usually a 16kg and a 24kg) 
and just “made do” with what they had. It’s not true! I’ve been in many gyms while in Europe and Asia; all had Dumbbells and Kettlebells. The price markings prove Dumbbells were not recent additions to the Russian Gym, and in fact the pair of Dumbbells you see pictured here, I was assured, are quite old. Older than 40 years, since the owner said they were around before he was born. They might even be older than the Kettlebells in these Gyms, and they look it.
Keep in mind we are talking about “Modern” Kettlebells versus Dumbbells, not the Kettlebells used by farmers and merchants that start about the size of a golf ball and have dozens 
of increasingly bigger diameter balls. These classic Kettlebells like the 1870 version (pictured left) we brought back from Russia are suited for picking up and placing on a scale but not necessarily for athletics. We’re interested in the ones used for Fitness… It’s anyone’s guess how old the Kettlebell actually is, but there is no doubt it was adapted for Fitness from its original use as a standardized weight of measure hundreds of years ago. This is real Russian ingenuity! Later came the technology… Later came the Science…
The Modern Kettlebell is likely over 50 years old though! These are the ones used for Fitness that are all the same size ball, but vary in weight. These are the ones that have been scrutinized by Olympic-caliber Athletes in Competition over many 
years in regards to things like handle size and shape. The Athletes decided what was best for a human to exercise with likely before any of us were even born! Dumbbells don’t use this technology, and for good reason. They don’t need it because they are different tools for different purposes!
The point is Valery told me two years ago that he always had access to Kettlebells, Barbells AND Dumbbells, and he didn’t understand why people here tried to use a Kettlebell like a Dumbbell. I tried to rationalize that it was just Marketing and people here were trying to make the Kettlebell appealing both athletically and economically. He had some choice words for that explanation, and now we promote the superior value of the Kettlebell both athletically and economically by it’s own merits. In other words, we feel so strongly about the value of the Kettlebell and what it can do for Athletes, or those looking for Elite Fitness, but we can’t act like it’s here to replace the Dumbbell any more than the Screwdriver can replace a Hammer.
If you have a Kettlebell already we urge you to explore the real value of training properly with it. Sure rows and such can be done with it… Yes, sets of 10 are possible… The question is “why?” There are tools and experts available that can help you accomplish these types of things to the highest levels already. We even have some within our Club! If you are looking for Strength-Endurance, GPP, Explosive Power, Ability to cope with stress…, Work Capacity, Grip, Coordination, Staying Power, Mental Toughness, Athleticism, Fat-Loss/Altered Body Composition, Stress Reduction, Focus, Patience, Health, Vitality, Determination, Flexibility, Joint/Tendon/Ligament/Muscle Prehab and more, I think Valery’s right when he says “Kettlebells, it’s enough”!