Can You Store Kettlebells Outside? (Explained For Beginners)

Figuring out the best place to store your gym equipment can be tough, and kettlebells are no exception.

Many people just don’t have the space inside to store all of their exercise equipment, which leads them to start storing things outside. 

However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, leaving your kettlebells outside can be dangerous and end up ruining them in the long run.

This article explains how you can safely store your kettlebells outside in a way that means they’ll be protected from getting rusty or stolen. 

It also covers which type of kettlebells are waterproof and suggests some good alternative places to store your kettlebells.

Here’s whether you can store kettlebells outside:

Kettlebells are perfectly safe to store outside, but only if you’re careful. Rust and theft are the major dangers, so be smart about preventing these two things.

How to properly store your kettlebells outside

There are a few factors to consider when storing your kettlebells outside.

Firstly, most kettlebells are made out of cast iron, meaning that kettlebells will rust if they get wet. If the handle rusts, it will scrape up your hand while you’re working out.

And if the bell rusts too much, it will start to corrode and lose some of its weight.

Because of this, if you’re storing iron kettlebells outside make sure they’re somewhere that rain and damp can’t get to them.

You could store them in a shed, for example, or on a covered balcony. If all else fails and you really need to store them outside, at least covering them with a tarp will prevent a lot of damage.

Another option is to paint your kettlebells with a coating to seal them and keep moisture out.

Your local hardware store should sell at least a few different kinds of sealant sprays that will waterproof your kettlebell reasonably well.

You also want to make sure that your kettlebells are somewhere secure so that they don’t get stolen. Kettlebells are expensive pieces of equipment and thieves like to work out too!

If you’re keeping them outside, make sure they stay behind a high fence or a locked gate and aren’t visible from the street. 

If you live in a high-crime area, you could even thread a bike lock through the handles of your kettlebell and lock them to something. Bike locks definitely aren’t fool-proof, but they should stop most inexperienced thieves and keep your kettlebells safe. Just make sure you don’t forget the combination!

Should you store your kettlebells outside?

In an ideal world, you should really store your kettlebells inside. They’ll be protected from the elements and will be less vulnerable to thieves. 

However, realistically many people don’t have the storage space for lots of exercise equipment indoors, meaning that outside is the only option. If you follow the tips above, your cast iron kettlebells should be fine outside.

It’s also important to remember that cast iron kettlebells aren’t the only type out there. 

If you have an adjustable kettlebell, it definitely shouldn’t be kept outside because the weight adjustment mechanism is often sensitive and could be damaged.

However, if your kettlebell has a waterproof coating that protects the internal core from moisture, like vinyl or rubber, then it’s safer to keep outside than traditional cast iron bells are. 

Before you do this, make sure to check the underside of your kettlebell; sometimes cheaper models are coated on the outside to make them look good but aren’t coated on the bottom, meaning they can rust from the bottom up.

Are kettlebells waterproof?

Standard kettlebells are made of cast iron, which can rust and therefore isn’t waterproof. This is why keeping kettlebells outside without any protection is a bad idea.

However, there are some kinds of kettlebells that are waterproof. Bells covered in vinyl coating are waterproof. Some kettlebells are also coated in enamel, which adds waterproofing too. 

Occasionally, companies will release kettlebells that have a rubber coating. This mostly makes them safer to drop but has the added benefit of waterproofing as well. 

If you’re not sure whether your kettlebell has one of these coatings, check with the manufacturer to make sure.

Other places to store your kettlebells

Garden Shed

If you need to keep your kettlebells outside, then storing them in a garden shed is really your best bet. This will keep them out of the way but also leave them dry and protected from the elements.

If your shed has a lock, then your kettlebells will also be safe from thieves.

Home gym

If you’re lucky enough to have a home gym, this is probably the best place to keep your kettlebells.

If all of your exercise equipment is in one spot then setting up workouts is going to be a lot easier, as opposed to having to collect your equipment from different areas of your house or apartment.

Car

Kettlebells are small enough to fit into the trunk of most cars.

If you’re out of space in your house, or if your partner doesn’t like you leaving your gym equipment everywhere, then storing your set of kettlebells in your car isn’t a bad idea.

This also leaves you free to drive to your local park and complete your workouts in the outdoors.

Garage

Your garage is a great place to store exercise equipment because it means you won’t be tripping over it in your living room. It’s also still easily accessible, safe, and protected from the weather.

Even a full set of kettlebells has a relatively small footprint, so it should be easy to find space against a wall, in a cupboard, or under a shelf to stash them.

Loft

If you have a loft that’s easy to access or if you don’t use your kettlebells much, then this is a good place to store them.

Your kettlebells will be protected from the elements and definitely safe from thieves.

However, if your loft is hard to get to and you plan on using your kettlebells regularly, steer clear of this option. The effort of getting your equipment down from your loft every time you want to work out will probably discourage you.

Sources

Removing rust from Cast Iron