Head to head
Bowflex SelectTech 840 vs REP Adjustable Kettlebell
Dial-adjustable composite against plate-loaded steel: speed, feel, weight range, and durability compared.
#1 in our rankings · Best adjustable
Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell
Best for: Small spaces and households sharing one bell, where six fixed weights would eat the room.
#5 in our rankings · Best plate-loaded adjustable
REP Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell, 16 kg
Best for: Lifters who want adjustable weight with a steel handle and iron plates, rather than a dial mechanism.
Our recommendation
Buy the Bowflex 840 if you want the fastest weight changes and the smallest footprint for circuits and shared use. Buy the REP adjustable bell if you want a steel handle and iron feel and do not mind slower plate changes.
Adjustment mechanism
The Bowflex changes weight by turning a dial in seconds, which suits circuits. The REP changes weight by adding or removing plates, which takes longer but uses real iron plates.
Feel and handle
The REP's steel handle and iron plates feel closer to a fixed bell, while the Bowflex composite shell feels bulkier and less dense. High-rep technique work favours the REP's feel.
Durability
The REP's plate design tolerates rougher handling than the Bowflex dial, which must not be dropped. Both need a mat and a controlled set-down, but the REP forgives more abuse.
Choose Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell if…
- You train circuits and need fast weight changes
- Two people share one bell at different weights
- Smallest footprint matters most
Choose REP Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell, 16 kg if…
- You want a steel handle and iron feel
- You train high-rep technique work
- You prefer plates over a dial mechanism
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell | REP Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell, 16 kg |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Premium | Mid-range |
| Weight range | 8 to 40 lb by dial (8, 12, 20, 25, 35, 40 lb) | - |
| Replaces | 6 fixed kettlebells | - |
| Handle | 28mm diameter | Ergonomic handle, 3.15-inch listed diameter |
| Dimensions | 8.8 x 7 x 12.5 inches | - |
| Warranty | 2-year manufacturer warranty | - |
| Construction | - | Alloy steel with iron plates |
| Model weight | - | 16 kg |
| Adjustability | - | Plate-loaded variable weight |
| Use | - | Swings, squats, presses, carries |
| Best for | Small spaces and households sharing one bell, where six fixed weights would eat the room. | Lifters who want adjustable weight with a steel handle and iron plates, rather than a dial mechanism. |
| Skip if | You drop bells, train heavy competition-style work, or want a traditional iron feel and handle. | You want instant dial changes mid-circuit, or you need weights above the adjustable range. |
Strengths and limitations
Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell
Strengths
- Dial adjustment covers 8, 12, 20, 25, 35, and 40 lb in one unit, so warm-ups, technique work, and heavy swings all come from a single footprint.
- Weight changes take seconds by turning the dial, which suits circuit training and households where two people train at different weights.
- Composite shell and compact 8.8 by 7 by 12.5 inch body store on a shelf, and the 28mm handle suits a wide range of hand sizes.
Limitations
- Dial mechanism and composite shell do not suit dropping, so it must be set down with care, unlike a solid iron bell.
- Maximum weight of 40 lb limits strong lifters, who will outgrow it for heavy swings and need a fixed bell as well.
- Balance and handle feel differ from a traditional bell, which matters for high-rep snatch and clean technique.
REP Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell, 16 kg
Strengths
- Alloy steel construction with iron plates gives a dense, iron-like feel that dial-adjustable composite bells cannot match.
- Plate loading lets weight change in plates rather than whole-bell swaps, so one bell covers warm-ups through working sets.
- Ergonomic handle with a 3.15-inch listed handle diameter suits two-handed swings and goblet work.
Limitations
- Weight changes need plates added or removed, so mid-circuit changes are slower than turning a dial.
- Loose plates need storage, and the bell is bulkier than a fixed bell of the same weight.
- Top weight in the adjustable family is limited, so very strong lifters still need a heavy fixed bell for swings.
How they fit the wider field
- Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell: ranked #1 (Best adjustable) in The Best Kettlebells. Read the full Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell review.
- REP Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell, 16 kg: ranked #5 (Best plate-loaded adjustable) in The Best Kettlebells.
Neither one quite right? The full rankings cover 10 picks matched to different buyers.
Made your call?
Questions, answered
Which is better for circuits?
The Bowflex, since dial changes take seconds while plate changes interrupt circuit flow.
Which feels more like a fixed bell?
The REP, thanks to its steel handle and iron plates, which give a denser, more traditional feel.
Can either be dropped?
Neither should be dropped regularly. The Bowflex dial is the more fragile of the two, while the REP tolerates rougher handling but still deserves a mat.