4HB – Cheap Adjustable Kettlebell for Workouts
We made a quick video putting together the T-Handle for two-handed throws as shown in Tim Ferriss’s (check out his blog here) new masterpiece, The 4-Hour Body
. Kettlebells are a great workout for your posterior but it can quickly become expensive as you buy new, heavier weights or adjustable sets. This is a DIY kit simply made of typical plumbing items that can be taken apart and transported, assembled quickly, and is cheap.
All you need is:
2 x 3/4″ 4″ Nipple Pipe
1 x 3/4″ 8″ to 12″ Nipple Pipe (Change length depending on user’s height. 8″ for 5’0-5’5, 10″-12″ for the rest of us)
1 x 3/4″ “T” Fitting Joint
1 x 3/4″ Floor Flange
1 x 3/4″ Spring Clamp
Tim’s book said you could buy it for around $10. This may be the case for Americans, but in Canada I spent closer to $20 at Home Hardware which is still a huge bargain compared to buying an adjustable Kettlebell for up to $150. I highly recommend that everyone reads Tim’s book – this trick is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to doing fitness right. Check out the 4-Hour Body at Amazon.com
If you want to incorporate this into your fat-loss program, the details of how to do so are in Shane’s rapid fat loss article.
PS. There’s an easier way to put the weights on. Connect the floor flange to the long nipple pipe, put the weights on, then screw on the handle. It removes the need to flip over the kettlebell at the end.
Yeah, I just made one… it was closer to $30 in parts… mostly because the clamp I wanted was only sold in a 14 pack. But it fit perfect.
Started adding a little kettlebell workout to my daily morning routine. Anxious to see the results.
That’s great Victor. Let us know how your routine goes, we’d love to hear about your success story!
Hey guys,
I just made one as well, but found a potentially cheaper alternative to the clamp. I cut a ~2 inch piece of washing machine hose and put a single cut along its length (so it opens like a hot dog bun) – then once I put the weights on the kettlebell I just slid the hose around the pipe. The rigid hose (1+1/4 inch outside diameter, 7/8 inch inside) fits snug around the pipe (3/4 inch) and doesn’t let the weights move much at all, though for heavier weights I also strapped a velcro tie around the hose.
Here are some crappy cellphone pics in an album: http://imgur.com/a/PllHi#4fBhE
Though I wasnt charged for the hose, it would’ve come out to less than 50 cents (American) and the velcro straps were 5/$2.50 however I’ve seen cheaper, and this piece was not even necessary.
Great solution Asher! Looks like it’s pretty snug for what you’re using it for. Aside from a clamp or your washing machine hose – we also found an old screw on clamp for a lifting bar that works well. It doesn’t needs to be anything fancy.