JAXJOX KettlebellConnect™ 2.0 - Adjustable Kettlebell - Cool Gray

As someone who works out regularly and is collecting gym equipment to hopefully one day have an at-home gym; The JAXJOX Kettlebell is not only a space-saving piece of equipment but a money saver as well. A complete 5–50-pound set of kettlebells can cost at least $500. Not only will you be paying the hefty price for a set of kettlebells, but you will need to set aside a decent amount of space to store the kettlebells. The JAXJOX Kettlebell solves all these problems by having a single kettlebell that can easily increment in weight(6lbs) with a push of a button. The Kettlebell goes from 12lb to 42lb in just seconds. Along with the space efficient design, the kettlebell has plenty of other amazing features that makes this a worthy buy. ===================================================================================== IN THE BOX/SETUP/APPEARANCE: In the box, you will be receiving the Kettlebell Connect. The kettlebell itself weighs 12lbs without any additional weights. There are 5 Small 6lb weights which are labeled 1-5. A USB-A to USB-C cable to charge up the base. (Kudos to JAXJOX for sticking with USB-C) There is no power brick in the box included but a phone’s power brick can be used with the cable. Finally, an instruction manual that includes the instructions in many different languages. Points for JAXJOX for these small details, many companies forget about people who do not speak or read English! The setup was straightforward. Place the small 6lb weights starting with 5 on the base, then 4, and so on. You would then place the kettlebell over them. The base does not need to be plugged in all the time. You would only need to plug it in when it needs to be charged. Once the base was all charged, I was ready to use the kettlebell. I did find the kettlebell to be a bit on the bigger side but overall, that wasn’t too much of a problem as the size of the kettlebell did not interfere with any of my exercises. The kettlebell is made with a sturdy material that should take some beatings over time. The 6lb weights are also excellent quality and should last as well. I did find the base to be cheap. The base is plastic and over time I do think this can easily wear. I would have wanted a better material to be used for the base since one will be constantly lifting and lowering the kettlebell onto here. ===================================================================================== EXPERIENCE SO FAR/JAXJOX APP: The kettlebell so far has been an exceptional addition to my gym equipment and workout routine. Adjusting weight is effortless and can even be done through the JAXJOX App! Drop sets feel great and the quick adjustability of the weight certainly helps with this. Whether I am doing goblet squats, kettlebell swings, presses, etc. Every exercise feels as natural as using a cast iron kettlebell. The only problem I had was placing the kettlebell back into the base. When there were 2-3 weights present in the kettlebell, I did have to play with it for a bit to successfully insert the kettlebell into the base correctly. Optional but certainly helpful is the JAXJOX App. The JAXJOX app has a clean UI but can be better organized. The app tracks all your performance with the kettlebell in real-time. Some of the items that the app tracks are the number of reps you performed, power output, duration of the workout, heart rate, and more. I could not get a heart rate to show up but then I found that the app is compatible with a Google Health Kit and Fitbit which are probably used to track heart rate. The app has plenty of features but to receive the full experience, you will need to subscribe to a monthly membership which goes for about $12.99/mo. This is not required but the app will have limited features without the subscription. This price is a bit too much considering JAXJOX equipment is expensive as it is. I subscribed to the free trial and decided to try out “the full experience.” The classes offered are great for beginners and advanced lifters alike. There are even programs offered that can help you get in shape over time. I also found a “Skills” section that teaches you how to conduct a variety of kettlebell exercises. While the videos were helpful, I probably will not be using the app any further upon trial termination. Not only is the price a bit steep but the app is buggy, and disorganized. Rep counts were on and off at times. I also could not find where all my performance data was being stored and a couple of other small things that made the app difficult to use. ===================================================================================== CONCLUSION: Overall, using the JAXJOX kettlebell has been an exciting experience so far in itself. The amazing space-saving design and the quick adjustability are some of the best features the kettlebell has to offer. Unfortunately, the JAXJOX app was not as functional as I thought it would be. The JAXJOX app while informative, does need significant improvement for it to be used with the kettlebell successfully. JAXJOX offers other fitness products such as connect dumbbells and foam rollers. The dumbbells are possibly next on the list as this kettlebell has impressed me. I wholeheartedly have enjoyed using the kettlebell these past few days and do recommend you try it out for yourself.

I work out with kettlebells very infrequently, preferring dumbbells. I have a set of adjustable dumbbells, so the idea of adjustable and connected kettlebells sounded like an interesting way to vary my routine and get the benefits of a connected exercise device. I was a little hesitant based on the description of how the adjustment occurs to add the additional weight. Their website only tells you that the "automatic interlocking weight system" works "like magic." After all, working out with kettlebells often involves swinging them in the air at a high rate of speed, so I wanted to see if the interlocking system held together during a workout. I performed two 30 minute workouts involving a variety of moves including the Halo which involves quickly moving the kettlebell around your head in a 360 degree motion. I changed weights in between sets to see if I could return to the workout in time and to check to ensure the weights changed correctly and did not come apart. They did adjust to the weight indicated on the base and they did not come apart at any time, despite the hard and fast movements. I enjoyed the change in routine from barbells and I appreciated that the change in weight happens faster than it does with the manual change on my "dumb" dumbbells which involve pulling out a pin and reinserting it. I also like that the JaxJox does not take up a lot of space as multiple kettlebells would. There are only two drawbacks that I noticed: 1. The cord on the power adapter is very short. Given I work out in a garage and the available outlets are few and far between, getting the JaxJox base in a location close enough to where I wanted to work out was a challenge. I am trying to avoid adding more power strips than I already have in there. 2. The app is not intuitive. It takes time to figure out where to go to log a workout. I still cannot find the record of my workouts. It appears the app is more of a marketing tool for them to sell you on their subscription or their other products ranging from a foam roller to an upcoming mirror copycat than a useful tool. 95% of what you see asks you to upgrade to Premium in order to access features. . As for whether this product is something you should buy, I would start by considering whether you have ever worked out with kettlebells. At this high price, JaxJox is not something to experiment with. Try plain old kettlebells and see if you enjoy the workout. If you find you really want to incorporate kettlebell workouts into your fitness routine, then decide whether you will use them enough to spend almost a years' worth of gym dues on this device (and that's without the monthly subscription). If limited workout space is your main concern, then this is a good option.

## Design The JAXJOX KettlebellConnect 2.0 comes well packaged and the instructions were easy to follow. The weights are numbered 1 through 5 to aid in stacking them on top of the base. The kettlebell shell than goes over the base and weight plates. The base needs to be charged with the included USB-C cable that plugs into the back of the unit. The location I picked wasn't close to an outlet, but I found that a regular USB powerbank was able to charge the unit. The kettlebettle shell automatically charges as well when it is resting on the base. It's definitely nice having multiple weight available from one unit. With the pandemic creating interest in home gyms, this is an ideal addition to your home as it has a relatively small footprint compared to having multiple kettlebells. ## Performance If you have been using adjustable dumbbells that utilize a simple dial to set the weight, you may be a little disappointed in the amount of time it takes to adjust the weight of the kettlebell. First, you need to press either + or - to "wake up" the unit. It shows the "JAXJOX" logo while it boots up, which only takes a couple seconds. Then you can press the + or - buttons to select your desired weight, which then takes 2-3 seconds for the kettlebell to adjust, followed by a single beep to let you know it is ready. Although the whole process only takes 3-5 seconds, it's still longer than what a simple dial would take. The kettlebell goes to "sleep" after only 20 seconds, so you basically need to wait for it to "boot up" each time you want to adjust the weight. You can set the app to track your workout which does a good job of separating your reps into sets. However, I could not get it to record it as a "workout" into Apple Health, so I found that I still needed to track the workout on my Apple Watch in order to "close my rings". The app is somewhat confusing to navigate and most of the workout options prompt you to sign-up for their subscription service. ## Summary The JAXJOX KettlebellConnect 2.0 definitely has a "cool" factor with the ability to automatically track your reps and sets, but the delay in changing the weight and the need to "wake it up" may be a drawback for some people. It is ideal for home gyms since you have the ability to use different weights in one kettlebell unit.

As I have gotten older, the realization of how important keeping in shape is has never been greater. Over the past year, with gyms being closed for part of that time and our lives being changed, I have learned alternative ways to exercise. I have numerous free weights and a couple of kettlebells but they take up a lot of room. When I saw this kettlebell, I was intrigued. Instead of having to have a bunch of different kettlebells to cover the various weights I like to use for different exercises, I can have 1 JaxJox kettlebell that can give me weights from 12-45 lbs. Not only that, but there are some really cool premium features where it will give you exercises and track your workouts to gauge your fitness level. There are even "classes" to watch to learn better exercises ranging from HIIT (one of my favorite) to strength training. The JaxJox kettlebell comes with a base to set the kettlebell on as well as a USB cable to plug it in and a beefy manual. When you turn the unit on, you can choose the weight you want to use and the base will enable the kettlebell to change the weight electronically. The kettlebell is separated into segments. A shaft runs up the center. A lock cam selects the correct weight and locks it in place with the cam. My biggest concern is this cam. When all of the weights are on, the cam wriggles enough on the shaft that I am concerned that it will move enough to allow the weight to drop. I attached a picture to show what this looks like. This may just be an issue with the set that I received. All in all, this product is definitely something useful. If you are someone who is truly committed to working out at home, you should take a look at this.

I really wanted to like this but it seems you need to buy into the WHOLE JAXJOX ecosystem to fully benefit from the app and on-demand workouts. Using only the KettlebellConnect 2.0 (KBC2.0) you are extremely limited in the app. You have to watch it on your phone which interrupts the workout especially when switching levels and exercises. Setup was rather quick after reading the instructions. Weights go in descending order from bottom to top (5 to 1) prior to putting the KBC2.0 itself on top. They are interlocking and only go in one way so you can not have a mistake. Once the KBC2.0 makes contact with the base it will start charging. It is recommended the base and KBC2.0 both have their batteries charged prior to use. Simply select the weight via two buttons on the base or you can use your app on your phone and you are dialed in and ready to go after the beep. After connecting to the app, which was super simple, you need to subscribe to get a free trial of the on-demand workout videos to get the full JAXJOX experience. However, this is not necessary so you can workout. My main gripe with the app is that it lacks the ability to cast it to your TV. The content wasn't really engaging to me since I found myself just working out on my own after a while. You can hear the instructors breathing heavily into the mics and I couldn't get into it. Trying to use my phone on the floor then a nearby table/shelf definitely made it disengaging as well. When working out it was difficult to see what was going on using my Note 20 Ultra (which is a BIG screen). During the workouts, the real-time tracking missed reps occasionally and didn't log my data into the history, however, it only did it within the actual workout video I completed. There was no history to see for the day in a snapshot view which made me feel this isn't ready for primetime. During my workout, I found myself often thinking about the plates possibly coming out after hearing the rattling inside BUT they never did. It is solidly built but will take some getting used to with to ignore the sound of moving metal plates inside. Here are my thoughts: - It's rather large in comparison to regular kettlebells which is a two-edged sword. This may limit the effectiveness of exercises for shorter people. It is a little bigger than a gallon of milk not including the top handle so it can be cumbersome for some. During some of the workouts like squats, lunges, or any action between the legs makes for a rather close call to banging it on the floor or other man parts. On the other hand, the space saving design frees up space so you don't have 6 different weights laying around. This is a compromise so if you are short it could be something to take into consideration. - Wow… no charge block included in the box!? WHAT?!?! Another company that goes the way of Apple? You buy a new item and immediately need to hunt down a charge block to get started? The instructions state, "Plug the charging cable into the AC adapter". This prompted me to look in the box again and at the instructions to see if I was supposed to have an adapter. A simple (not included) after the instruction would not cause the user to look for one. The pictures of "What's in the box" do not show an AC adapter included. A CLEAR indication one is not provided is necessary. Other concerns are… how do you know if you are using the correct charge block? What if you use one that puts out TOO MUCH power? Maybe that info should be provided because I am sure if someone puts a powerful AC adapter and fries the internals it would not be covered under warranty. - The design/placement of the charging port in the base is suspect and an accident waiting to happen. With it so close to the floor, choosing a standard USB-C cord with no right angle or other protection against pushing it up against the wall or a casual trip from your kids is just a broken USB port waiting to happen. I would recommend another cord or unique cable design that offers protection from damaging left to right impacts. In all, there is a lot to like here with a few trade offs. The app needs a lot of work, the space saving design is a plus, but it is a bit too big for shorter people which could cause issues with form or just make exercises ineffective overall. This is one you need to try at home but save your receipt in case it doesn't work out for you. I cannot recommend this to everyone but if you want a space saving option, this could be for you.

Kettlebells are considered by some the best value for your home fitness dollar! The seemingly endless varieties of exercises that can be performed with a single kettlebell target multiple muscle groups and range of motions. The key to effective kettlebell workouts is coaching, and JAXJOX has that covered through their app. The kettlebells come with a 30-trial of their premium app, but even the free version has a wealth of information. The app tracks real time performance includes reps, weight, sets, average power and the length of your workout. By entering your personal information and fitness goal you’ll be able to track your “Fitness IQ” based on your workouts and information imported from Apple Health or Google Fit once you have worked out for 7 days. Classes can be filtered by type – Sweat/Strong/Restore which are timed classes from 15 minutes to 45 minutes and Skills which vary based on the technique being taught. You want to start with the Skills classes for the most effective workouts with the least risk of injury, then move on to the actual workouts. There are 8 different coaches for the various classes, and their “Bios” are available in the app. Once your workout is complete, you can see your total reps, sets, duration, and calories burned in the app. The classes are on-demand, but you can schedule them by date and time based on your workout schedule. This is very helpful for those like me who find they’re much more likely to work out if they schedule them rather than remember or hope to find the time! There are also Programs available that consist of classes targeted towards your goal. The base and kettlebells connect via Bluetooth to the app, and they’re both rechargeable via a USB-C port in the base. The weights “stack” inside the kettlebell unit and the weight can be adjusted via the app or from “+/-“ buttons on the base. The space-saving design allows for one kettlebell to function as 6 with weight options of 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, or 42 pounds.

With gyms being closed, was looking for something compact and diverse. Heard a lot about kettlebell workouts but didn’t want several sizes and spend a lot of money doing it. This was the best option and I’m really impressed. It’s been two weeks and it’s been a great experience. The JAXJOX app and workouts have been great. I just mirror my phone to my tv and do my 45 minute routine. The kettlebell tracks my workouts. I would highly recommend this product.

PROS + Solid construction & build quality + Very quick and easy to adjust weight + Space saving design with the base + 6 different weight presets to use + Easy to set-up and get working + Weights feel very secure on the base and in the kettlebell, with little shifting or movement, and great balance + Large size makes it great for a variety of exercises, including all manner of swings, squats, and presses + If you are willing to invest the time, the companion app can do some nice set, rep, and movement tracking CONS - Large size of the kettlebell may be less comfortable/convenient for smaller lifters - A lot of the core companion app functionality, like videos, are locked behind a monthly subscription - Charging cable for the base is short, and inexplicably does not include a USB-A-to-plug adapter in the box THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT I have used adjustable dumbbells in the past on many occasions, including a pair I keep in my home gym for space saving, but I am new the world of adjustable kettlebells. While I love adjustable weights, one of my main issues with them is the time it can take to switch weights. This is because on most adjustable weights, you need to ensure the frame is set just right around the weights, and then you need to typically adjust a manual lever/latch to set the weight you want. This system generally works fine, but can be problematic when you want to quickly switch weights (such as you would with something like a drop set for example). This is why the JAXJOX KettlebellConnect 2.0 has very quickly made a hugely positive impression on me, as I can adjust weight in a manner of 3-5 seconds. Couple that with the sturdy construction of the kettlebell and you are left with a great all-in-one solution with 6 different weight adjustments. For assembly, all that it really takes is setting-up and plugging in the base, stacking the five weights in order on the base (that are numbered) and putting the kettlebell shell on top. From there, you set the weight to one of the 6 presets (12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 42 lbs) and the system will automatically adjust to the weight in a manner of seconds. Once lifted free from the base, the weight feels very secure, with no noticeable movement or rattling. You can hear the weights in the shell slightly, but at no point did they feel like they were going to fall out. Likewise, one of my favorite kettlebell exercises is to turn the kettlebell upside down and do a single arm shoulder presses with it (which requires lots of balance as well as strength stability). In doing do, I never felt the kettlebell was off-balance to one side or the other, and it honestly felt very similar to doing this same exercise with any standard metal kettlebell, just larger. Likewise, all other exercises worked great, including things like kettlebell swings and goblet squats (2 of my personal favorites). Like most all-in-one weight solutions, it isn’t perfect however, and there are trade-offs to consider. The first and most noticeable one is the size, which given it is built to store up to 5 separate weight plates, is still relatively compact in my opinion. This being said, it is still certainly large for a kettlebell, and will be bulky for smaller lifters. However, one of the more irritating drawbacks to the kettlebell is the charging cable for the base that comes with it. Due to the automatic weight switching mechanism (and the speed it affords) the base needs to be charged, however the included charging cable is a short USB cable (think like a phone charger), and for some reason doesn’t come with a plug adapter to plug into a standard wall outlet. This means if you plan to charge the base, you will need a power source close by with a USB-A port (like a powerstrip with USB ports) or you will need to bring your own USB-A-to-plug adapter. It’s a cheap addition, and one that most people will probably have lying around, but given I imagine most people won’t be placing this on the floor in their gym near a power source with a USB-A port, it seems like an addition that should come in the box, particularly at this price point. Finally, in the case of the app, its serviceable with some nice functionality paired with the kettlebell, but it has a lot of its interactive features like videos/classes locked behind a $12.99/month subscription, which I feel is a bit steep, particularly given I don’t tend to watch videos on my phone while working out due to the small screen, and there doesn’t seem to be any casting/screensharing capability. It can help you track workouts by helping monitor the kettlebell’s movements and letting you track exercises, sets, and reps easier. However, in my case, I also tend to use the kettlebell as one component of my broader workout, which isn’t as easy to integrate into the app. Likewise, for me, I feel it can almost be more cumbersome to use the app when trying to track your broader workout, and I honestly think I will forgo using it in favor of simple pen and paper tracking for future workouts. Thankfully I didn’t really run into any connectivity or usability issues during my time, but overall, it is a nice but far from essential option for me. On the whole, I really do like this kettlebell, and I have now fully integrated it into my suite of equipment. Its sturdy, well-balanced, efficient, and all-around a great performer that eliminates a lot of the issues I normally have with interchangeable weights like this. While the charging cable is too short and needs a plug adapter, once set-up and running you won’t really need to think about it again. Likewise, if you do not plan to use the app, you are still left with a strong standalone kettlebell that can easily operate on its own. If space is a concern and you want something that provides a nice alternative to traditional standalone kettlebells, I definitely think this is worth a look!