brother you're on the wrong track with this one. I know that you are thinking just traditional kbell swings back and forth but there are a lot more exercises that can be done. The kbell is an odd shaped implement that has its center of mass outside the line of your hand, arm, shoulder. This forces you to stabilize it while completing all lifts, so as far as grip and functional strength they are a very useful tool. I agree that they are expensive and in that sense kind of annoying, but if you have access and don't use them you are missing out on a very efficient exercise. Most of the lifters at my gym are elite level powerlifters/strongmen/highland games people and all aof them have had incredible results with kbells and hindu bats. I am working on a prototype accesory that allows a person to turn any regular dbell into a 'kbell'.