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FAQ

Frequently asked Questions

Even though kettlebells in one form or another date back to the ancient Greeks, and Kettlestacks go back over four years, you may still have lots of questions.

We try to answer all questions, and here are some that we often receive.

FAQ

threaded kettlebell handles

We've had a few questions about the relative advantages of the Kettlestack against standard "sardine key" handles.

Handles with a vertical axle sardine kettlebell handle
got us thinking about a better kettlebell handle design a few years ago. Imagine where and how those plates are going to land when you perform a snatch or clean.

With Kettlestacks you get comfortable shapes at any weight, and the quick weight change option option leaves most of the shape intact.

do these things rattle ?

Sun, 04/27/2008 - 17:48 — tirekicking

These things look like a great idea, but I've seen some posts about how they rattle,
That wouldn't be safe. What do you say about rattling ?

‹ Kettlestack Kettlebell hardware details how heavy can i go? ›

Olympic plates work with Kettlestack Kettlebells


Kettlestacks were designed with standard (1" ID hole) plates in mind, but they work really well with metric plates and Olympic (2" ID hole) plates if you tweak the shape by shifting the plates.

Here are some points to go over with OLY plates & Kettlestacks:

1. Since we are considering plates of 10lbs or less, Some OLY plates have much wider rims than STD plates, so they won't stack as compactly as standard plates.
2. One of the attractions of a kettlebell/stack is how compact the weight is; If you want to go over 60 lbs, you'll eventually have to buy some cheap 10lb "pancake" plates or use the 10lb OLY plates that have a less pronounced rim. - In fact the thin rim 10lb OLY plates make the best looking 90lbers.
3. OLY plates __sometimes have squarer edges than STD plates; For comfort on cleans, this makes it doubly important that you arrange the plates for a proper transition. There is no requirement that the plates line up concentrically- shift them radially for your comfort. (see pic).
4. OLY plates have 2" holes instead of 1" holes, so you still need at least one STD (1.25,2.5 or 5 lb) plate on EACH outside wing to prevent the bolts&washers from slipping through the larger OLY holes. We strongly suggest that you "invest" in at least two pairs of STD (1.25&2.5 or 2.5&5) lb plates to ensure a gradual end taper for comfortable shoulder cleans.
5. The assembly page shows a setup trick with a metal bowl that works great with OLY plates.
6. With OLY Plates there will be more play between the rims and the axle (this helps get the setup you want), so please keep everything tight. especially if you're using OLY plates with the pronounced rims.


Here is a diagram of the band dimensions, so you can measure your own plates and see how they will work with the Kettlestack.

We designed the support straps to handle the sports authority 10lb plates ,
which are the largest diameter standard plates we know of.
Don't forget to include the wiggle room between the ID of the plate and the .64" (WAF = width across flats) hex axle.

Also, the interference between the plates and the handle only involves the plates that directly touch the support straps.

Thank you
Kettlestack

where are the weights ?

Where are the weights, doesn't Kettlestack sell them ?

No, we don't sell the weight plates at this time:

  • Weight plates are expensive to ship (roughly an additional $.50/lb) and can be purchased locally anywhere in the US at around $.50/lb (even less for used). Kettlestacks ship for small change domestic or international (which costs a small fortune for weights).
  • Any weights work with Kettlestacks - even OLY plates .
  • We have a small but growing retail network and can always suggest a local store where you can get the weight plates and some advice...
  • The kettlebell forums on the internet are full of people asking at what weight to start - With Kettlestacks, even if you don't own your weights, you can borrow a friend's weights or visit a local store and try out a weight setup prior to purchasing the weights.

Also, for the final word in roundedness, consider getting some 7.5lb plates- not nearly as rare as cast kettlebells... :

Our retailers:

Big Box stores:

Other interesting stores to get weight plates from :

Quality Counts

Since 2004, Kettlestack has maintained the highest standards of innovative design in alternatives to kettlebells, quality construction and customer support. We've earned the loyalty of thousands of happy, satisfied customers.

While you're training the focus should be entirely on the kettlebells and your body, not on your equipment, so we're obsessed with quality of our product and the details that make the difference:

1. STRONG, TEMPERED steel bands:

* Kettlestack adjustable kettlebells uses expensive spring tempered steel bands. At least 5 times stronger than cheap steel; Bands that would be carefree as truck springs have been forced to live out their lives inside your Kettlestack.

* Relatively narrow cores are handled easily.

* No kinking
2. Tough, versatile axle.
heavy duty, hardened steel.
versatile one or two bolts design for a huge variety of stack widths to approximate any size kettlebell or kettlebells.

Quickchange

2. SHAPE TWEAKING :

* To get comfortable shapes at any weight, the Kettlestack axle is really versatile - and way stronger than needed.

3. COMFORTABLE GRIP:
* Smoothest kettlebell handle in the market.
* Wide enough for most two handed work, but not too wide. Most kettlebells have handles that are too narrow for comfortable two handed work.
* adjustable height relative to weight stack gets you really close to any kettlebell.
* slight curve in profile . Just enough for self -centering and comfortable diagonal GS-style cross grip kettlebell work.

4. REPUTATION:
* How about reviews and testimonials ?

Kettlestack

# builds and test in the US,
# invented the concept
# knows the design issues inside and out,
# use these things all the time,
# takes care of the details

Warranty

KETTLESTACK warrantees the Kettlestack adjustable kettlebell handle for a period of TWO YEAR against material and manufacturing defects under the proper and intended use of the product. Proper use is defined as not dropping it from high heights and onto hard surfaces.

Weights are supposed to be dropped (once in a while) , what happens if I break the handle ?

Here at Kettlestack we've never seen a handle break during hard, proper use, but this shouldn't discount the real concern of our customers.
The problem is that we don't know if your Kettlestack will be dropped on carpet, grass, sand , mats or steel plating; Whether the handle will land dead square or with a glancing shot, from 2,6 or 50 feet. The only viable solution is for Kettlestack to meet you half way, well, actually more than half way.
After 5 years we haven't charged anyone for a replacement, but we reserve the right to charge US 5$ + shipping.*

Who is Kettlestack ?

Kettlestack is a small business dedicated to "mainstreaming" kettlebell style training.

No overblown hype,
No celebrity coercion (well, at least not yet ! ) ,
No unsupportable claims or promises - except that fitness and hard work go together.

If you read our origins page,
you'll see that we came into kettlebells almost by accident;
However, our standards for what we sell and how we treat people with
respect were set long before most people knew anything about kettlebells.

So, Kettlestack really is all about:
the best products possible,
fair prices and prompt shipping and courteous service,
a rapidly improving and expanding website,
and the satisfaction (and gratitude) that stems from being
a trusted part of thousands of fitness lives throughout the world.

Thank you!

Kettlestack Adjustable Kettlebells

Technical Details

When it comes to the the design and engineering quality of our product Kettlestack customers care almost as much as we do ourselves; If you don't see your question (and answer) among the most likely questions, just get in touch and we'll sort it out.

How are the steel bands attached to the ABS grip?
They aren't attached;The support bands are a single piece of laser cut spring steel bent to track through the internal channel of the heavy duty ABS grip- You cannot pull them out. Immensely strong. In the lower portion of the handle (above), the channels are widened to allow for flexing of the support bands, providing compliance for varying stack widths and a slight bit of shock absorption.

Did you say ABS handle , how strong can that be?

We use high impact ABS polymer (the same stuff used in football helmets) in the Kettlestack design. We specify 5/32" material with a highly redundant internal web design; The ABS is for your hand's benefit, the Kettlestack relies on spring steel for it's strength. Here's one reviewers impressions on this point.

We have even dropped a 55 lb configuration from a 30" desktop; It landed right on the handle without any damage. However, we do not recommend and cannot (fully) warrantee improper use such as a drop.

What about the bolts, won't they snap off ?

The Kettlestack design uses 1/2" grade 8 or better bolts (with a shear capacity of over 15,000lbs) to hold either of the wings and a large 4" steel hexnut of similar strength for the center core.


or loosen accidently ?

A subtle point; The two-band separation tapers- wider than the hexnut span at the root (near the handle) and narrower at the tip. The spring steel support band, in the manner of a good mortise and tenon joint, distribute the compression from the tightened bolts entirely across the band faces- regardless of the width of the central weight stack. We've never seen properly tightened bolts (at least 7 turns) work loose. However, we've deliberately loosened the bolts and the rattle and different feel immediately gets your attention.

Do the bands adjust to accomodate lighter/fewer weights without the weight plates sliding around?

Yes. Since the bands flex inside of the handles, they can flex to accomodate different core widths- Checkout this animation and you'll see 'cores' with 4 or 5 plates. Once you crank the bolts down, it's tight .

Why is there a washer welded to one end of that hexnut axle ?

Glad you noticed:

* If there wasn't a captive washer, tightening the bolts could shift the positition of the hexnut. In the worst case (impossible with the washer) you'd lose track of the axle's true position and have a false notion of how many turns were applied to the bolts.
* You can quickly adjust or remove the weights on the 'washer side' and the remaining weights in the central and opposite stack are still completely fixed.
* By allowing one or two bolts Kettlestack adjustable kettlebell handles provide a wide range of stack widths. You get the shape and weight you want.
* Safety and very quick weight adjustments.


Is the axle aluminum ?

The axle is steel- always has been. Did some shill for the cast kettlebells start a rumour ?

The only thing more foolish than an aluminum axle would be using a cheap, "paper clip" steel for the support bands. It's expensive, but Kettlestack uses expensive tempered steel bands. Anything else would be irresponsible :

* We invented this concept
* We use these things
* thousands of units testify to their sturdiness .

What about "plate showers" ?
Cute phrase by some die hard cast KB advocates.

Watch this 70lb Kstack dropped almost 7ft onto a 500lb steel crash plate-no padding (btw we still use this "veteran" all the time).

Any questions ?