JaxJox KettlebellConnect review: Six-in-one smart kettlebell gets you ripped and saves space, too
The adjustable JaxJox KettlebellConnect ranges from 12 to 42 pounds -- all in a single kettlebell.
If you're serious about home kettlebell workouts, the JaxJox KettlebellConnect presents a unique space-saving alternative to the half-dozen different weights you'd otherwise have littering your floor. Not only is this a six-in-one weight system, but it also has a related JaxJox app that automatically logged my reps, sets, pounds lifted and the total time I spent using the kettlebell.
I even paired my Fitbit to the app, where it tracked my steps, calories burned and miles traveled for a more complete picture of my
fitness
(this was somewhat hit-or-miss, which I'll discuss more later on).
My main hesitation is the price. This thing costs a whopping $349 -- the same as Apple's overpriced HomePod smart speaker. That said, a quick perusal of Amazon shows that kettlebells don't always come cheap. Some cost just $12 each, while others cost $65 or more. So if I split the difference and say $30-$40 is a rough average cost of a single kettlebell, $349 doesn't seem quite as ridiculous.
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
Overall, the KettlebellConnect is a clever compact gadget that makes weight lifting goals easier to manage via the app. It's well worth consideration if you're a fan of kettlebell workouts... just don't bank on a reliable Fitbit integration.
At a glance, KettlebellConnect is, well, just one kettlebell nestled in a rechargeable, battery-powered base.
But if you press the plus or the minus button on the base, weight cylinders inside attach to the kettlebell -- or drop off the kettlebell -- in 6-pound increments. KettlebellConnect ranges from 12 to 42 pounds, which gives you six weights in one.
JaxJox claims the kettlebell will last about 14 hours on one charge; I found that to be about right during my testing. You can always keep it connected to power 24/7, too, if you don't want to bother with a draining battery.
There's also a free JaxJox app. Enter details about your level of fitness and create daily and weekly weight lifting goals for yourself.
Note that you have the option to buy a compatible JaxJox heart rate monitor and smart scale, too, if you want JaxJox to track your health even more closely. I didn't use these devices during my testing.
The app is straightforward enough, if not a little bare bones. One tab in the list of menu items says "workout videos," but there's only a short promo video for KettlebellConnect and other advertisements on the page. Instead I turned to YouTube for inspiration and I suggest you do the same if you're just getting started with kettlebell workouts.
The JaxJox app didn't always update my Fitbit steps, either. Some days it would say I didn't walk at all (when I clearly had).
Everything else went smoothly. Whenever I finished a workout, I'd set the kettlebell back in its base and the app would update instantly with my new workout stats. Make sure you place the kettlebell down firmly enough that you hear a beep, though. It won't connect correctly otherwise and then it won't log your stats.
Yes, the app could use a little work, but I had a lot of fun testing out KettlebellConnect. And unlike ClassPass Live, Mirror, and the Peloton Bike and Tread, there's no monthly subscription built-in to using this thing. It's a simple, convenient six-in-one weight you can use easily at home.