oa20kg: 5/5
2x20kg: 5 7x 10 reps (45 sec rests)
Some bw squats and jumps for prehab.
I always think that I should do light sessions, but never do (in the light of my individual training volume that is). But, today I did it. The 45 sec rests, made a difference (I usually rest 1min with this template).
Leoko bells in Sweden
The Stockholm company Extremepower now sells Leoko kettlebells.
They are very expensive. 16kg is 2170,-; 24kg is 2310,- and 32kg is 2940,-.
Well, I guess that is that way when it is competition quality gear. Like Leoko and Eleiko competition-bars seem to be 7000,- and up.
These bells are made primarily with GS-associations and such in mind. I think that the first Finnish Championships later this year will use Leoko. Of course, for an official competition, one can't use Alexander's lead filled Chinese bells, or worse...:-). One contigency is also heading for the US.
I had the possibillity to lift with the Leoko bells while in Finland. Great stuff! A different balance and over-all feel of the bells. Perfect handle dimensions. They were cast iron, and not whatever cast iron but some special variant (I did not get all the detail there).
Interesting thing to note - there is comparatively little price difference depending on the bell's weight. It is because they charge more or less, only for the iron cost as bells go heavier.
Even if iron has become more expensive; it is still quite cheap. If you are going to build a supertanker a cent more per kilo becomes a lot. But 24 kg...32kg... nah...
When I get rich again, a pair of Leoko will definitively be a number one priority. But it is great that they are now available in Sweden.
11 comments:
Ser fantastiska ut! Skönt att det finns ett par riktiga kvalitétsklot inom räckhåll.
Ja, de är inte dumma alltså. När jag börjar jobba som vanligt igen då...:-)
Very nice looking bell. Very bright neon green too.
Yes Boris, indeed THE bell. By the way, I think you can get them in whatever color you want, or even unpainted (though I would recommend at least clear coat for rust protection during transport).
One thing Leoko may want to consider if these are going to be used in international competitions is that the handle is too smooth. Handles that shiny won't hold chalk well even with water.
I've been to 2 World Championships and 1 International meet. Lifters do not like bells that will not hold chalk. They'll even bring their own sandpaper if they need to rough up a handle.
Those bells look great, but they may want a process that doesn't have such a smooth finish if they are really going to be a player in the bells that are used in comps outside Finland. Smooth handles for high reps are not good on the hands.
CI
Good point! If you are THAT CI, what you say is it :-).
Maybe, the pic is a little deceptive. The bells are out of cast iron (not steel), and I did not find the handles very smooth though. As I understood it, cast iron was the choice just because of avoiding slippery grip.
But, I am sure Leoko would be very glad for recieving all feedback. May I ask you to drop a line to any of your Finnish GS-friends, or send me a note and I will forward it.
Might see us this summer then!
Hey,
I can drop Kukka and Marko a line.
Kukka Laakso has a 16kg Leoko and commented that it was difficult to chalk even with water, but maybe they've changed it. She was concerned because they are using the bells in their Finnish Championships and the ones she have seen had the smooth handles.
They are a very good looking bell and do appreciate the work that goes into making quality bells that are consistent.
If they sell them in the USA, I may pick one up just for novelty.
Thanks
CI
Great CI! If they are too slippery, I wonder if they can be consistenly roughened up with a metal file, sand paper etc?
Thanks and have a good evening!
Mrkl
Yeah, I have that 16 kg. :)
It IS very good, high quality bell. No doubts of that. But the handle needs to be fixed cause now it's too smooth to take chalk.
I know Ari (from Oulu) fixed his Leoko bell with a sand blower to make it a bit more rough.
I have used sandpaper but perhaps I'm not strong enough, eh. And I also tried to wet the handle, but it didn't help.
I don't even have a sand blower, not to mention that I'd ever know how to use it. So I guess I'll just go to Clas Ohlson again and try to find the cure. :)
Cause the bell itself is absolutely perfect and good to lift.
Several of the great GS personalities at my humble blog :-)!
I had the possibillity to train with them in Tampere - very nice to lift. Especially, there was something with the bell's balance that I liked.
I got a very nice chalk-holding texture with an angle grinder on a pair of cast iron bells. But it eats the iron away quickly so I would not dare to risk a slip on an Leoko.
I love the way it looked.
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