Start the new year off right with a kettlebell

Kettlebells are typically covered in one, or a combination of three finishes â€“ enamel, vinyl or neoprene. Here is a little bit about each one.

Enamel starts as a powder that is mixed with a liquid to create a paint. A casted kettlebell is dipped into the wet enamel to cover all metal. The enamel is only a thin finish â€“ you can still feel any ridges or grooves, but it also gives enough protection so that your hands don’t slip during a workout. In fact, because of how well of a grip it gives, even kettlebells with other finishes are first dipped in enamel then coated with another substance, but the handle is left with just the enamel finish. Enamel is easily chipped when rubbed or dropped on sandy or hard surfaces. And once cracked, the metal underneath is prone to rust if it gets wet.

Vinyl is a synthetic plastic that is also known as PVC. It is often used to make pipes. But when heated, it becomes stretchy and easily used in other products. Vinyl dipped kettlebells give it a smooth, glossy finish that helps protect your floor if the weight is accidentally dropped. It also helps a brand color-coat different weight classes. A lot of brands, like GYMENIST, will use a different color vinyl to make it easier to distinguish between its 10-pound, 25-pound and 40-pound weights, and everything in between.

Because vinyl is slippery when it gets wet, it isn’t used to coat the handles of kettlebells very often, unless they are lower weights. This cuts down on the possibility of a weight slipping from your hands during a workout and causing injury. Vinyl is prone to scratching and breaking if enough force is allied, or after enough general use. This is one reason why weights are first dipped in enamel to give an added layer of protection.

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber. Unlike vinyl, neoprene has a more matte finish, plus it’s waterproof. Is it one of the primary materials used in wetsuits. Like vinyl, neoprene on kettlebells is often used to color-code different weights. And while it is waterproof, most manufacturers still don’t dip the handles of their kettlebells in it, instead opting to keep the enamel finish for a better grip. Neoprene doesn’t break or scratch off as easily as vinyl, which makes it a better, long-lasting finish.

It is important to note that neoprene is a polymer of chloroprene. This means that in its molecular make-up, several parts are chloroprene-based. Chloroprene by itself is known to cause cancer, though scientists haven’t been able to fully confirm that polymers that use chloroprene do, too. Even so, California requires products made with chloroprene, including neoprene, to have a warning label cautioning consumers about the potential risk if used.

Credits â€” The team that worked on this guide

Nicole Johnston writes for multiple Mobile Nations brands, including TechnoBuffalo, covering primarily internet security and privacy programs. She has over 12 years of research and writing experience in both the public and private sector, including six years of testing and reviewing consumer products and four evaluating antivirus software, parental controls, and identity theft services.

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