RKS Kettlebell Workout System Review: Fat-Burning Home Training?
Quick Verdict
Pros
- Complete package includes kettlebell, DVDs, poster, and nutrition guide — no extra shopping required
- 16 workouts ranging from beginner to intermediate keep variety high for months
- Instructional DVD lowers the learning curve for kettlebell beginners
- Nutrition guide adds structure beyond just exercise
- 15 lb weight is approachable for most beginners building foundational strength
Cons
- DVD format feels dated — no streaming access means hunting for discs
- Harder to find now, and pricing can be inconsistent on the secondary market
- 15 lb bell limits progression for intermediate/advanced lifters
- No gallery images available to inspect quality before purchasing
- 9 DVDs means more shelf clutter compared to a single download
Quick Verdict
The RKS Kettlebell Workout System is a genuinely comprehensive home training package — it bundles the bell, the instruction, and the nutrition plan into one box. The 16-workout library gives beginners enough variety to stay engaged for months, and the included exercise poster is surprisingly useful for quick reference between sessions. That said, the DVD format is showing its age, and the 15 lb weight cap means you'll eventually need a heavier bell if you stick with kettlebell training long-term. It's a solid launchpad, not a permanent home gym solution.
What Is the RKS Kettlebell Workout System?
Open the box and you get the full spread: one 15 lb kettlebell, nine DVDs covering 16 certified workouts, a full-color exercise poster, a healthy eating nutrition guide, and an instructional DVD to get newcomers up to speed. The RKS program positions itself as a fat-burning system — the marketing claims it torches 22 calories per minute — which is a bold number that reflects kettlebell training's reputation for high caloric expenditure during and after workouts.
I pulled this together on a Sunday morning when my usual gym was closed. Setting up the DVD player felt almost retro, but once I got the first disc rolling, the production quality surprised me. The instructor cues are clear, the workout pacing is solid, and there's none of that awkward "filmed in someone's basement" energy that plagued early fitness DVDs.
Key Features
- 9 DVDs with 16 certified kettlebell workouts covering beginner to intermediate levels
- Dedicated instructional DVD teaching kettlebell fundamentals and safe movement patterns
- Full-color exercise poster for quick reference during or between workouts
- Healthy eating nutritional guide with meal planning principles
- 15 lb kettlebell included — no separate equipment purchase required to start
- Fat-burning focus with compound movements targeting multiple muscle groups
- No gym membership or streaming subscription needed
Hands-On Review
By the end of the first week, I'd cycled through five different workouts. What stood out immediately was the variety — one session focused on Turkish get-ups and goblet squats, another packed in high-rep swings and clean-and-presses. The programming doesn't just repeat the same circuit; it actually progresses across the sessions.
The instructional DVD is where most beginners will spend their first session, and it earns its place. The presenter breaks down the swing, the deadlift, the Turkish get-up, and the snatch with enough detail that you feel confident moving to the workout DVDs afterward. I appreciated that they didn't rush through the safety cues — form matters more with kettlebells than almost any other home training tool because the momentum of the bell can amplify poor technique.
What surprised me was the nutrition guide. It's not afad diet or a calorie-counting worksheet. It's a practical, common-sense approach to eating that pairs with the workout structure. I didn't follow it to the letter, but flipping through it gave me a clearer mental model for portioning proteins and carbs around my training days.
The 15 lb kettlebell is well-made for what's included in the package. The handle is smooth enough, the cast iron feels solid, and the flat base sits stable on hardwood. But here's the thing — two weeks in, my sets were feeling less challenging. That's not a knock on the product; it's just the reality of training with a single fixed weight. If you're starting from zero, 15 lb will carry you for a few months. If you already have any kind of strength base, you'll plateau fast.
Who Should Buy It?
- True beginners to kettlebell training who want a guided, structured introduction without piecing together YouTube videos
- Home exercisers without internet-heavy streaming setups who prefer physical media they can lend, replay, and use without buffering
- Beginners wanting the "complete package" — someone who doesn't want to shop for a kettlebell, find a workout program, and build a nutrition plan separately
- Anyone rebuilding a consistent workout habit who needs the tangible motivation of having a physical product on the shelf
Skip this if you already own multiple kettlebells and subscribe to a streaming fitness platform. Skip this if you need more than 15 lb of resistance to feel challenged. And skip this if you need workout tracking, progress metrics, or social accountability — this is a self-directed program with no app, no community, and no data.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If the RKS Kettlebell Workout System feels too dated or hard to find at a fair price, here are two directions worth exploring:
Kettlebell Kings Competition Kettlebell — If you'd rather buy the equipment separately and build your own library, a single cast iron kettlebell from Kettlebell Kings gives you a heavier, more durable bell that will last years. Pair it with a streaming platform like Kettlebell Kickstarter or the Kettlebell Course on StrongFirst for the programming side.
Yes4All Vinyl Kettlebell Set — For buyers who want multiple fixed weights without spending competition-bell money, Yes4All's vinyl-coated sets offer 5 lb increments from 10 to 40 lb. The coating protects floors and adds grip, though the handles aren't as smooth as bare cast iron for high-rep work.
FAQ
Yes — the 15 lb kettlebell is included in the package, along with the 9 DVDs, exercise poster, and nutrition guide.
Final Verdict
The RKS Kettlebell Workout System delivers exactly what it promises: a complete, structured introduction to kettlebell training with enough material to keep a beginner busy for months. The instructional DVD is genuinely helpful, the exercise poster is a nice touch, and bundling the bell removes the biggest barrier to getting started. My main reservation is longevity — the 15 lb weight ceiling and the DVD format both feel limiting for anyone who sticks with training past the beginner phase. If you're confident you'll stay engaged past the first 8-10 weeks, you might be better off buying a heavier bell and investing in a streaming program instead. But for someone genuinely new to kettlebells who wants everything in one box, this is a reasonable purchase — just check current pricing carefully before committing.