Total Shape is a reader-supported site. Purchases made through links may earn a commission. Learn more.

ONNIT Primal Kettlebells Review (2023 Upd.) Are They Legit?

Tyler Sellers
Published by Tyler Sellers | Senior Coach
Last updated: August 17, 2023

You’ve heard many fitness enthusiasts talking passionately about the orangutan, gorilla, chimp, and the other cool “beasts” but didn’t quite get it. Why has almost every serious athlete been raving about these apes?

And then you’ve finally figured out that they’re not talking about animals in the zoo.

Woohoo! The whole new world opened up for you.

Leveraging extensive research that spanned several weeks, this ONNIT kettlebells review will help you learn how the badass kettlebells can beast up workouts in your home gym.

What Can You Get With ONNIT Primal Kettlebells?

ONNIT Primal Kettlebells CTA

You can get Howler Primal Bell, Chimp Primal Bell, Orangutan Primal Bell, Gorilla Primal Bell, or Bigfoot Primal Bell with ONNIT Primal Kettlebells.

The ONNIT Kettlebells beast boys come in different sizes, weights, and faces, with the whole set currently including:

  • Howler Primal Bell - 18lbs (0.5 pood)
  • Chimp Primal Bell - 36lbs (1 pood)
  • Orangutan Primal Bell - 54lbs (1.5 pood)
  • Gorilla Primal Bell - 72lbs (2 pood)
  • Bigfoot Primal Bell - 90lbs (2.5 pood)

(One pood - a Russian mass unit - equals 36.11lbs.)

All ONNIT kettlebells are made from solid, rust- and chip-resistant coated iron of premium quality.

And they’re precisely balanced with enlarged handles providing a strong, secure grip to ensure safe and effective professional-grade weight training if your technique is right.

Take a peek at Keith Weber's “Extreme Kettlebell Cardio Workout” to see how even the smallest Howler bell can give you a great workout.

Visit the ONNIT YouTube channel and website to find plenty of useful information and ideas on how to implement this kettlebell series into your intense workout. This will definitely engage your whole body by doing different kettlebell lifts at different angles, including swings, squats, snatches, deadlifts, cleans, leg raises, side planks, and more.

ONNIT’s useful Kettlebell Starter Guide also covers everything you need to know to inspire you to stick with long-term kettlebell training and start making gains. If you have some time, read through it since it will maximize your routine.

Or you can watch some ONNIT Academy videos to help improve your beginner to advanced kettlebell techniques.

Our #1 Recommendation

ONNIT Primal Kettlebells CTA

ONNIT Primal Kettlebells

Durability
5.0
Weight
5.0
Price
5.0
Overall Score 5.0
5.0

What Are the Standout Features of ONNIT Primal Kettlebells?

kettle bell warm up

The standout features of ONNIT Kettlebell are its unique, realistic primate, setting it apart from generic competitors. Its chip-resistant cast iron construction ensures durability, while the range of weights allows for easy progression.

The extra-large, thick, sturdy handle on all ONNIT kettlebells provides enough room for both hands, allowing for enhanced grip strength and better balance.

The well-calibrated handle clearance provides ease in gripping the kettlebell's horns/sides, while the chip-resistant iron coating offers a smooth, gentle texture (but not slippery). This adaptable design positions the ONNIT kettlebell as a great addition to any home gym setup, regardless of your current skill level.

In my assessment of these kettlebells, a noteworthy observation surfaced regarding their design. The handle exudes a distinct smoothness, setting it apart from my experiences with another brand's kettlebells, which featured a less polished seam along the handle due to parts being glued together without proper sanding.

It's important to note that while the handle showcases this advantage, there is a consideration to be aware of.

The proximity of the kettlebell's "ears" to the grip becomes apparent in exercises where you hold the horns, such as during goblet squats. This closeness might prove slightly discomforting if you wear items like fitness trackers on your wrists.

Pros
  • Superior build quality
  • Lifetime durability
  • Manufactured by a highly respected company in the fitness industry
  • Balanced and fully functional
  • Various weights available
  • Sturdy handles with a smooth, non-slippery, easy-to-grasp surface for a secure, wide grip
  • Unique, inspiring primal design to awaken inner strength in you
Cons
  • Costlier than similar standard products
  • Available only online
youtube

Who Is The ONNIT Primal Kettlebells Best For?

the best of ONNIT Primal Kettlebells

ONNIT Kettlebells are best for bodybuilders or other hardcore athletes who use kettlebells regularly and are tired of constantly replacing cheap fitness equipment for their home gym.

This high-quality Primal bell collection is designed for beginner to experienced elite athletes with an alpha brain and inner beast, guaranteed to last for many years of continuous use.

Each ONNIT kettlebell is suited for anyone who wants serious, intense workouts to continually push themselves to higher levels, plus make an impression with a great appearance.

Where Can You Buy Them?

onnit primal kettbells

You can buy Primal kettlebells and other unique ONNIT kettlebell models directly from the company’s website.

Each Primal high-quality bell is sold separately and available as the whole collection, while the prices vary depending on the weight.

They’re the best-selling kettlebell models despite being pricier than most standard kettlebells. One of these is the Howler primal bell, representing the monkey of its namesake.

If you’re dissatisfied with your Primal kettlebell, worry not!

Return the Primal bell collection within 90 days from the purchase date. Just send your feedback to the ONNIT customer service email address or submit the Refund Request Form. Remember, this only works if you bought the kettlebell directly from the ONNIT website.

If you're looking to save more bucks, you may join ONNIT Subscribe & Save program to get the lowest possible prices (at least 15% off) and leave whenever you want without penalty. Awesome, right?

Our #1 Recommendation

ONNIT Primal Kettlebells CTA

ONNIT Primal Kettlebells

Durability
5.0
Weight
5.0
Price
5.0
Overall Score 5.0
5.0

Customer Reviews

kettle bells

ONNIT is a respected brand some of the best sports stars endorse, and it’s a popular product with the highest customer ratings and reviews.

The fact that fitness professionals like Adam Dowell, AJ Hawk, Ben Greenfield, Mitch Blackburn, and others use ONNIT kettlebells in their workout sessions says a lot.

Here are some customer testimonials I found on the company's website:

Great feel and looks awesome! Been using it for getting started in the kettlebell world to test workout form before using the larger weights." - Garrette25

"This new piece has definitely taken the spotlight in my home gym. It looks so cool and works as it should. Can't wait to get his friends to join him." - BadBoyBeast916

"I was doing a lot of research into kettlebells and happily settled with the primal chimp from Onnit. You’ll pay more but the quality is amazing and your chimp friend provides excellent motivation." - Caeser the Chimp

Kettlebell Alternatives

Hands down, ONNIT Primal Kettlebells get the win for the best motivating faces on a kettlebell, but let’s look at how the other features compare against three popular options.

Rogue

Rogue puts out a USA-made cast iron kettlebell available in 12 weight increments.

Rogue does an excellent job at adjusting handle diameter based on the weight, so the lighter kettlebells have a smaller 1.2” diameter, and the heavier weights have a 1.5” diameter.

The consensus in our test group is that the Rogue kettlebells offer a firm grip. Additionally, users liked that the kettlebell design didn’t interfere with workouts which was a complaint some of our users shared about the shape, particularly the ears, of the Primal kettlebells.

You can purchase individual Rogue kettlebells or complete sets, which we did for testing to provide a variety of weight increments for our group.

I appreciated that Rogue offers a USA-made product, as many items, including ONNIT Primal, originate in China.

Rogue gives you great value for a Northern Michigan-produced kettlebell, and when purchasing, I found the 18-pound kettlebell pricing on par with ONNIT Primal. Still, Rogue’s 88-pound kettlebell was significantly less expensive than ONNIT’s 90-pound option.

Kettlebell Kings

With weight options from nine to 106 pounds, most users will likely find a kettlebell from Kettlebell Kings that will challenge their workout.

We used cast iron, powder-coated kettlebells for our testing, though Kettlebell Kings also offers a competition-style kettlebell.

I like the powder coating for durability and rust resistance; however, some online user reviews indicated some chipping shortly after purchase, whing I would keep my eye on.

Our test group liked the feel of the powder-coated handle for grip and the weight options available.

When purchasing these for testing, I found they were slightly more expensive than ONNIT’s Primal kettlebells, but I received free shipping, which balanced out the cost.

Crown Sporting Goods

If you want a traditional kettlebell with no fancy graphics, not even a logo, these kettlebells by Crown Sporting Goods may be just what you are looking for.

All you will see on these cast iron, enamel-coated kettlebells is the weight engraved on the side.

I found the weight easy to read and appreciate it was engraved, so there is no chance of it wearing off.

In our testing, most users found the wide, textured handle provided an excellent grip and an overall sense of safety while using the kettlebells.

The weight available for Crown Sporting Goods Kettlebells is five pounds and caps out at 45 pounds, whereas the Primal kettlebells have options between 18 and 90 pounds.

Overall, Crown Sporting Goods offers a basic, safe kettlebell with solid construction and a durable coating at a price on par with ONNIT Primal.

Are ONNIT Primal Kettlebells Worth It?

The short answer is yes! The Primal kettlebell set is ideal for athletes serious about their killer workout at home who want to invest in long-lasting, awesome-looking exercise equipment such as these bells.

However, ONNIT kettlebells might be too expensive for ordinary people who rarely use them just for quick and easy warm-ups.

These beasts of weights can take your lifting to the next level and help you gain strength, build stamina, burn calories, and get fit and lean quickly, enabling you to go through an efficient full-body workout anytime, anywhere.

No more monotony and hassle of gym visits, paid memberships, or fancy gear.

Put some personality into your training with this product. Then, share your impressions with us.

Our #1 Recommendation

ONNIT Primal Kettlebells

ONNIT Primal Kettlebells CTA
Durability
5.0
Weight
5.0
Price
5.0
Overall Score 5.0
5.0
Pros
  • Superior build quality
  • Manufactured by a highly respected company in the fitness industry
  • Perfectly balanced and fully functional
  • Various weights available
  • Get the BEST PRICE until the end of September
Cons
  • Available only online
Was this article helpful?
YesNo

About The Author

You May Also Like

2 thoughts on “ONNIT Primal Kettlebells Review:
Read This Before Buying

Write a Reply or Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

X

TOTAL SHAPE ELITE FITNESS APP
LAUNCHES ON… OCTOBER 2nd, 2023

0Days
0Hours
0Minutes
0Seconds

Learn More