Well Priced Excellency: The SQ&SN Competition Kettlebells

Are Competition Kettlebells Even Worth the Investment?

When it comes to home gym equipment, competition kettlebells are often seen as a luxury item. Indeed, if you are new to home gyms, you should spend your money on more essential items – unless you mainly train with kettlebells.

They mainly differ from regular kettlebells in three areas: The size of all weight increments is the same, they have square handles and they usually have a high-end finish. Recently, I had the opportunity to test a set by SQ&SN provided by Fitness Engros. And they really brought a smile to my face.

The High-End Difference

At first glance, the difference between budget and high-end kettlebells may seem minimal, especially when you’re just starting out. Yet, as your home gym journey progresses, investing in premium options can make a big difference. High-quality equipment can enhance your workouts simply by being enjoyable to use. Many of us need something to keep the weekly routine fun and engaging.

Close up of the textured grip

For me, these competition kettlebells did exactly that. The textured coating on the handles felt exceptional. After putting them through several intense and sweaty 30-minute workouts, I felt that the coating was not overly abrasive. My hands never felt like ripping, yet they provided excellent grip. It’s a small detail, but one that made a big impact for my comfort and grip.

Design That Stands Out

Aesthetics is always subjective — but in my opinion these kettlebells are stunning. Even my wife, who usually hates the look of my gym equipment, was impressed by their sleek design and colors. Together with the Eleiko competition kettlebells, they are the most visually appealing kettlebells I’ve come across.

Brand	Price (16kg / 24kg)	Features
Strengthshop	73€ / 107€	Color coded
Fitness360	74€ / 98€	Black, a bit slippery, chips easily
SQ&SN	93€ / 136€	Color coded, excellent grip
Rogue Europe	106€ / 150€	Black, flat areas to distribute weight more evenly on forearms
Eleiko	160€ / 194€	Color coded

The price point of the competition kettlebells by SQ&SN places them somewhere in the middle compared to the competition.

The table above shows that the SQ&SN kettlebells are priced pretty competitively. But, why not go for a cheaper option like Strength Shop’s competition kettlebells? If their colors don’t bother you, consider them. Do you mind a smooth metal grip? If not, you should definitely consider them. Just know that I have yet to try them myself.

I own a handful of the Fitness360 competition kettlebells. Functionally, they are good and I’ve used them for years. But the finish is far from the SQ&SN competition kettlebells, and the coating chips off very easily. I actually managed to cut myself a bit on a piece of chipped of coating once. The grip is not bad, but I again find the SQ&SN significantly better.

Should You Buy Them for Your Home Gym?

Here’s the bottom line: I had planned to finish my set of Fitness360 competition kettlebells. But after using these, it’s hard to go back. They have definitely made an impression. I don’t urgently need new kettlebells. I have time to save up for a bit longer and spend 20-30€ more per kettlebell. So, over time, I intend to exchange my old competition kettlebells for these.

Almost 40-minutes into a long cardio workout, and I still had plenty of grip.

Yes, they’re expensive. But they bring a smile to my face every time I use them. I I find myself changing workouts so I can use these instead of my old competition kettlebells. For me, that’s what matters most for the long-term success of a home gym — equipment that makes you excited to train.

These kettlebells are best suited for two types of people:

Kettlebell Enthusiasts: If you frequently use kettlebells and you want some of the best at a mid-tier price point compared to competitors, these are a solid choice.
Long-Term Home Gym Owners: If you’ve had a home gym for a while and you are now upgrading your starter equipment to high-end options, these will bring you joy and motivation.

In summary, the SQ&SN Competition Kettlebells are not essential for home gym beginners. However, if you value premium quality, design and excellent grip, you can’t avoid these. Importantly, they come at a cheaper price point than Eleiko and Rogue. Yet, if you don’t mind the lack textured grip and the colors of the Strength Shop Competition Kettlebells, you should definitely consider those. But, I have never tried those myself.