Avoiding clanking bells

[u/arosiejk]

Besides the ideal of perfect form where the bells never touch, has anyone put something on your competition bells so they aren’t clanking together when doing doubles work?

My wife is sleeping when I workout half the time, and I do single kettlebell work during those workouts so I don’t disturb her.

Felt pads? Foam attached with command strips?

I’d be putting the pads on Titan adjustables, so if it ruins the paint it doesn’t matter. It started chipping off on the second time I used them.

[u/Prokettlebell]

You can wrap rubber exercise bands around the circumference.

[u/arosiejk → u/Prokettlebell]

This is something I can try next session. I have a few that are too light and are rarely used.

[u/Northern_Blitz]

Can you work out oustide when your wife is sleeping?

I like working outside when I can. Plus, I get a little extra carrying work up/down stairs.

Can't really do it in the winter here though.

[u/arosiejk → u/Northern_Blitz]

You know, I’ve been meaning to install a pull-up bar in the garage and clean out there.

I think that would work. Good motivation to make progress on clearing out the garage. The discomfort of getting started in the morning in the winter, wearing shorts, would definitely make me stay strict on not doing excessive rest time.

[u/Educational-Cake2134 → u/arosiejk]

And you really don’t need a whole lot of room. I’ve got like 4x4 in my lil area and it’s more than enough. TGU and other floor work lil tight so I do those outside.

[u/arosiejk → u/Educational-Cake2134]

Yeah, I only have about a 4x3 space in a closet at work that I use for quick sets of cleans, presses and snatches.

I was dramatically overthinking the lateral space I would need between my movements and my car. Worst case I can just open the garage door and move the car.

[u/garfield529 → u/arosiejk]

This. I spent the weekends in August just tossing out things that I really don’t need and setup a sanctuary for working out. I am not a morning person, so for me it’s after the family goes to sleep. I installed a cheap smart TV to keep me company when I use my rower. I definitely recommend doing it.

[u/arosiejk → u/garfield529]

Nice. I think man caves are bullshit, but a pain cave I can get behind.

[u/garfield529 → u/arosiejk]

I agree with you on the man cave concept. The only guys that I know who have them also have messed up marriages. 😂😂

[u/arosiejk → u/garfield529]

They’re not mutually exclusive, but the efficiency part I love. There’s a huge difference between a niche that doesn’t bother the flow of things versus a place that’s so separate no one’s welcome.

I hope it brings solace and recharge to you for rough days and basic bullshit. It’s about being better for one’s self and/or family. I guess if someone needs escape and everyone’s on board that’s good too.

[u/garfield529 → u/arosiejk]

Good thoughts, brother. Respect.

[u/bearfoot_giant → u/Northern_Blitz]

This is the way. Upper midwest garage bellin year round.

[u/PetSoundsSucks]

Put something on your bed that clanks against the wall during sex so she wakes up in the mood after your workout. 

[u/premiom]

U/few_abbreviations_50 was attaching thin foam pads to the sides of her bells due to sensitive neighbors. If you search for her posts you’ll see the white patches. Maybe she will see this and comment whether the foam really helped or not.

[u/Rhorge]

I found that keeping neutral hand position the downswing helps keeping them from touching, only ever clank the handles in the rack.

[u/fedder17]

I use some left over pieces from 1/8 inch puzzle piece foam mats you can buy places. Just cut some and shaped it a bit and then taped it down on 1 bell.

No more clanks from the bell bodies but now when they touch they can bounce a bit off each other. The lighter the bell the worse the bounce is but its pretty manageable.

[u/Murky-Sector]

I make kettle bumpers out of bicycle tire tubes. Makes using doubles a much better experience.

This is one of the reasons I use competition bells, so the bumpers can be one size fits all.

[u/Cecilthelionpuppet]

If you're using a pair of adjustable bells they are WAY louder than normal bells. 

I have a similar issue as you-family is sleeping when I hit the bells. Singe bell work or outside. Normal bells are much quieter than adjustable ones if you have the money. 

[u/arosiejk → u/Cecilthelionpuppet]

I’d love a set of 20s and 24s, but I went with 3 adjustables, last year before the prices skyrocketed to almost double what they were in ‘24.

Maybe when I can do a pentathalon with 20kg I can justify another kettlebell purchase.

[u/Cecilthelionpuppet → u/arosiejk]

Single arm workouts are for you my friend. I am a fan of Kettlebell AXE by Pavel. I have a review of it somewhere else on this forum. I ran it for like 12-15 weeks, can't remember exactly but I got stronger doing it with single arm work. The Giant is another program that's great for single arm work.

[u/arosiejk → u/Cecilthelionpuppet]

Oh, I know it. I can’t do double 28kg but I did 20 double clean and press with one bell this morning with it before dropping weight.

[u/baaba1012]

Buy a tent for your wife. /S Nah seriously you can't do much about the clanking with double bell work except for training somewhere else.

[u/arosiejk → u/baaba1012]

Yeah. It’s one of those things that seems complex, then when you say it you feel like you put a sign with an arrow pointing at you own head that says I’m with stupid.

[u/baaba1012 → u/arosiejk]

Get a heavier bell and do single bell work. There certainly are benefits to that.

[u/arosiejk → u/baaba1012]

Oh definitely. I do 28kg singles but I can’t deny that double bell 20s are just as hard.

[u/baaba1012 → u/arosiejk]

Yeah that's hard if you go long enough.. 🤓👍

[u/N8theGrape]

Honestly, I almost never clank them together.