Kensui EZ Bells Review (2025): One Kettlebell To Rule Them All?

Not all kettlebells are created equal. While most fitness enthusiasts should be familiar with swinging and snatching the standard version of this strength training staple, chances are you’ve never picked up anything quite like the Kensui EZ-BELL. Although it technically falls into the same category as the Bells of Steel Adjustable Competition Style Kettlebell and the REP Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell, this product is truly unique. 

RELATED: Adjustable Kettlebell vs Standard

However, does a vastly different design necessarily make it the best option if you’re looking to save space in your home gym? In this Kensui EZ Bells review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about this horizontal-loading adjustable kettlebell. Plus, you’ll get first-hand insight from one of our most seasoned product testers so you know exactly what to expect when you get your hands on the EZ-BELL.  

We’ve Squatted, Snatched, and Swung All Types of Adjustable Kettlebells

The GGR squad includes certified personal trainers and nutrition coaches, CrossFit enthusiasts, and even an Olympian. With decades of combined experience in the health and fitness industry, we’ve tested everything from the best squat racks to the best weighted vests.

While GGR founder Cooper “Coop” Mitchell may hold the lead in number of products tested, GGR Everything Lead Reviewer Lindsay Scheele has earned her stripes by putting everything from treadmills and ellipticals to barbells and dumbbells through our rigorous fitness equipment testing methodology. No stranger to working with standard and adjustable kettlebells, I’m basing this review on Lindsay’s product testing notes and scoring, which takes some of the following factors into account: 

• Construction
• Durability
• Adjustability
• Ergonomics

Kensui Fitness EZ-BELL

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Product Highlights

• Available in PRO or MAX versions

• PRO has a weight capacity of 100 pounds; MAX can hold up to 220 pounds

• Horizontal loading design

• Works with Olympic weight plates

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Available in multiple sizes/weight capacities
• Innovative design
• Works with Olympic weight plates
• Ideal for home gym owners with limited space

Cons

• Horizontal loading design makes some exercises uncomfortable
• Not feasible to load all the way up to 220-pound weight capacity
• Not the quickest to adjust

Bottom Line

Available in two versions, the Kensui Fitness EZ-BELL is a unique product that allows you to load Olympic weight plates horizontally rather than vertically. The design may work better for some exercises, but dynamic movements like snatches and cleans are much more difficult to perform. Keep that in mind when considering this affordable adjustable kettlebell.

A Quick Look at the Kensui EZ-BELL

Founded by engineer and calisthenics enthusiast Remy Mock, Kensui Fitness pays homage to one of the most popular bodyweight exercises, as Kensui translates to “pull-ups” in Japanese. The company offers a wide range of strength training equipment, including weight plates, adjustable dumbbells, barbells, adapters, and even an adjustable FID (flat, incline, decline) weight bench. Kensui is also known for its line of grips called Swissies, which can be used on bars, barbells, bands, and machines to help reduce wrist and shoulder pain.

Kensui’s biggest category, however, is plated-loaded gear. In fact, the GGR squad has gotten their hands on several high-quality products, including the Kensui AdjustaBELLS (now called the AdaptaBELL) and the Kensui EZ-VEST, which uses Olympic weight plates instead of standard plates. A weighted vest can be a great way to make bodyweight movements like pull-ups or push-ups more challenging, or you can use it for a rucking workout. (Check out Coop’s full video review of the EZ-VEST on the GGR YouTube channel.) 

RELATED: Kensui EZ-VEST Weighted Vest Review

The EZ-BELL employs a similar concept, allowing you to load Olympic weight plates onto a compact, portable handle that only weighs 2.3 pounds or 7 pounds, depending on which version you get. What separates the EZ-BELL from other adjustable kettlebells is that it loads horizontally rather than vertically. This can affect the range of motion and functionality, especially if you want to perform classic weight training movements like snatches and cleans. 

Before You Buy

• The EZ-BELL comes in two versions; the PRO has a 100-pound weight capacity and weighs 2.3 pounds, while the MAX has a 220-pound weight capacity and weighs 7 pounds.
• This adjustable kettlebell only works with Olympic weight plates. If you don’t own any, you may want to consider an alternative like the REP Fitness Adjustable Kettlebell. 
• While the EZ-BELL works well for traditional strength training exercises, it’s not ideal for classic kettlebell moves like snatches or the clean and jerk. Our tester felt the size of the loaded kettlebell was not conducive to performing these types of movements comfortably. 
• Don’t expect lightning-fast weight changes with the EZ-BELL. It can take a few minutes to unscrew the nut, remove the spring and cover, load and unload plates, and reverse the process.

Kensui EZ-BELL Full Video Review

Is the Kensui EZ-BELL Kettlebell Worth It?

In our experience, the best adjustable kettlebells have a comfortable grip, offer a wide weight range, and are easy to adjust. Does the Kensui EZ-BELL check all of those boxes? While Lindsay gave the handle a firm stamp of approval, she didn’t exactly find the loading and unloading process a breeze. Still, our expert product tester was genuinely surprised by how much she enjoyed training with the EZ-BELL, especially when it came to staple exercises like kettlebell swings, squats, and Romanian deadlifts. 

Of course, you also have to factor in the price when deciding whether to pull the trigger on one of the two EZ-BELL models. The PRO costs $50 for a single or $94.95 for a pair, while the MAX costs $129.95 or $249.95, respectively. If you already have weight plates and are willing to deal with some of the awkwardness of using a horizontal plate-loading kettlebell, this certainly isn’t a bad option. 

RELATED: Best Weight Plates

Kensui EZ-BELL Specs

Using the Kensui EZ-BELL

Our expert product tester put the Kensui EZ-BELL through the ringer, utilizing it for a variety of movements to evaluate its effectiveness, ease of use, build quality, and more. She performed swings, deficit RDLs, rows, and a number of other exercises.

“For the most part, I actually really liked them,” Lindsay explains. “I was genuinely surprised by that since I’m used to a totally different design and function.” 

Although it felt notably different doing kettlebell swings and other movements due to the horizontal loading design, she enjoyed using the EZ-BELL for overhead carries and front rack carries. On the other hand, Lindsay wouldn’t recommend using it for any sort of dynamic movement. 

“If you’re doing kettlebell snatches or kettlebell clean and jerks, I just really don’t like the way they feel during those movements, and I think it’s just based on the size,” she explains. 

Keep that in mind if you’re into CrossFit, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or other forms of training that involve those dynamic compound exercises, as this may not be the right fit. Another lesson Lindsay learned during testing is that despite having a listed weight capacity of 220 pounds, the EZ-BELL MAX isn’t truly built to accommodate that. With a 3.5-inch sleeve length, you can’t fit bumper plates onto it without blocking the handlebar. And unless you have specific plates that are thinner than standard plates, you won’t be able to load up to 220 pounds onto the EZ-BELL MAX. 

Adjustment Speed

Unfortunately, the EZ-BELL is not the fastest adjustable kettlebell around. While many models use a twist-dial mechanism to change weights in a matter of seconds, this kettlebell may require three or four minutes of your time to go from one weight to another. 

That’s because the EZ-BELL uses a twist-lock collar system to keep your Olympic plates secured. Also, the horizontal design factors into the slower-than-we’d-like adjustment speed. 

“I almost prefer the vertical design because all you have to do is twist the handlebar or pin locking function to add more or less weight,” Lindsay explains. “With this, it’s not so easy.” 

Instead of simply turning a dial or twisting a handlebar, you must unscrew the nut, take off the spring and cover, load your desired weight (or take plates off), and reverse the process. If efficiency is your priority, the EZ-BELL doesn’t exactly fit the bill. Overall, we’ll give it a disappointing 2 out of 5 in this category. 

Construction and Durability

Kensui designed the two EZ-BELL models slightly differently. The PRO is made from nylon fiberglass, offering 3.1 inches of loadable sleeve length per side. It’s also much lighter than the MAX, weighing just 2.3 pounds. The less-expensive version also features a lower weight capacity (100 pounds vs. 220 pounds). 

Meanwhile, the heftier MAX tips the scales at 7 pounds, which can be attributed to aluminum alloy construction. You also get slightly longer sleeves at 3.5 inches per side. However, that isn’t sufficient space to feasibly reach the supposed 220-pound weight capacity—a potential design flaw that’s worth noting. 

“We ended up putting 25s on each side and it held up nice,” Lindsay notes. “But it’s a little misleading that this is going to be used with all Olympic plates.”  

Although it seems Kensui could have thought the design through a bit better, we’ll still give the EZ-BELLs a 3.5 out of 5, with the caveat that we do like that they’re compact and portable. 

From a stability and durability standpoint, the MAX is the winner. Still, Lindsay wouldn’t recommend dropping the EZ-BELLS, pointing out that there’s nothing on Kensui’s website saying that they can be dropped. 

While she doesn’t know how well they’ll hold up over time, she highlighted that several customer reviews say these kettlebells have held up great after being used multiple times per week for over a year. We’re willing to give them a 4 out of 5 for durability based on the solid build materials and customer feedback. 

Handle And Shape

This is where the EZ-BELL really won Lindsay over. Both models have a 35mm ergonomic handle designed for comfort and efficiency. It allows for both single- and double-handed grips, giving you the ability to perform a wide range of exercises while maintaining good control. 

Despite having initial hesitations, Lindsay gave the handlebar a perfect score of 5 out of 5 after testing both the PRO and the MAX.

“I was genuinely surprised by the handlebar,” she explains. “I thought I was going to end up not liking it but that couldn’t be further from the truth.” 

Although she has small hands, Lindsay says people with larger hands will have no problems working with the EZ-BELL. Most importantly, the grip is secure, which should give you peace of mind heading into your training session. 

“A lot of them tend to slip, but with both the PRO and the MAX I felt completely comfortable and secure using these on kettlebell swings, on deadlifts, or whatever movement I was doing,” Lindsay says.

The shape of the EZ-BELL, however, leaves something to be desired. After all, the fact you can’t perform certain movements comfortably isn’t ideal for someone looking for one kettlebell to rule them all. We had to knock off a few points, giving it a 3 out of 5 in this category. 

Kensui EZ-BELL vs Titan Fitness Plate Loadable Kettlebell Swing

Titan Fitness Plate Loadable Kettlebell

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Load with standard weight plates for heavy lifts.

• Budget option for lifters with plates on-hand.

• Solid steel handle for durability.

• Fits Olympic or standard plates with adapter.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very affordable if you already have weight plates
• Can reach heavy loads up to 500 pounds
• Simple and effective design

Cons

• Plates not included
• Needs collars to secure weights
• Not ideal for fast transitions

Bottom Line

The Titan Plate Loadable Kettlebell is a smart buy for lifters who already own weight plates and want a customizable, budget-friendly training tool. Be mindful, though, that switching between weight totals can be time-consuming, making this a less-than-stellar pick for HIIT training.

Considering it loads horizontally instead of vertically, the EZ-BELL is truly in a class of its own. However, if you’re intrigued by the idea of a plate-loaded adjustable kettlebell, you could also consider the Titan Fitness Plate Loadable Kettlebell Swing. Priced similarly, this product offers a substantially higher weight capacity (500 pounds vs. only 100 for the EZ-BELL Pro). If you want to train heavy, this gives you far more wiggle room than even the EZ-BELL MAX, which can hold up to 220 pounds. 

However, there are notable tradeoffs. First, the Titan Fitness Plate Loadable Kettlebell Swing only has a one-year warranty compared to lifetime coverage from Kensui Fitness. Plus, it uses a pin system to make adjustments and hold the plates in place rather than a secure-lock collar. Before you go in one direction or the other, check out our full Titan Fitness Plate Loadable Kettlebell Swing review.

Customer Experience 

Talk about taking care of your customers. In addition to offering a lifetime warranty, Kensui Fitness gives you 100 days to test out their products. If you’re not satisfied at the end of the 100-day trial, you can get a full refund. 

Furthermore, Kensui’s customer support team is available Monday to Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PST. You can also contact the company via email at info@kensuifitness.com. 

Ordering and Assembling the Kensui EZ-BELL

You can order the Kensui EZ-BELL directly from the Kensui Fitness website or on Amazon. Prices vary, so make sure to check both places to see if there are any specials or discounts available. Kensui offers financing through Shop Pay or PayPal that allows you to pay in four interest-free payments. 

Customer Reviews

As of this writing, the EZ-BELL has earned an average rating of 4.58 stars based on 78 reviews on the Kensui Fitness website. Many highlight the comfortable grip, overall build quality, and compact design as standout features of this adjustable kettlebell. 

“The versatility of the EZ-BELL is simply amazing. A must-have for any fitness enthusiast. The shell design is a standout feature for comfortable cleans,” a customer named Sophia wrote in her 5-star review. 

“Incredible build quality! The EZ-BELL feels solid, doesn’t rattle, and the adjustment mechanism locks in securely with no hassle,” a customer named Jennifer D. wrote in her own 5-star review. 

Another customer Mohammed A. appreciates how the EZ-BELL helps make his training sessions run more seamlessly. 

“The ergonomic handle makes intense kettlebell workouts comfortable. Weight changes are a breeze, maximizing workout efficiency,” he wrote.  

While the majority of customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, one user found a design flaw with this unique product from Kensui Fitness.   

“Overall useful piece of kit, but the sleeve should be stainless steel like the poles used in racks, as the actual slim rubber cover over the raw metal isn’t any good,” a verified buyer named Manuel S. wrote, giving the EZ-Bell 4 out of 5 stars. 

Final Verdict of Our Kensui EZ-BELL Review

The Kensui EZ-BELL is unlike any adjustable kettlebell we’ve tested in that it loads horizontally with only Olympic plates. For some, that may be a dealbreaker, as exercises like snatches and cleans aren’t suited to this design. For others, it may be advantageous to have a kettlebell that allows them to get more use out of those circular hunks of iron. 

Ultimately, if you don’t train with kettlebells often or don’t have a collection of plates already, you can pass on the EZ-BELL. However, if kettlebell training is your thing and you can live with loading and unloading plates, this is a fairly budget-friendly option that delivers solid value.  

Full Rating

Kensui EZ-Bell

Available in two versions, the Kensui Fitness EZ-BELL is a unique product that allows you to load Olympic weight plates horizontally rather than vertically. The design may work better for some exercises, but dynamic movements like snatches and cleans are much more difficult to perform. Keep that in mind when considering this affordable adjustable kettlebell.

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 49.95

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.94

Kensui EZ-BELL: FAQs

References

1. Lake JP, Lauder MA. Kettlebell swing training improves maximal and explosive strength. J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Aug;26(8):2228-33. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31825c2c9b. PMID: 22580981.