Heard of them. Had seen people use them for a while. Wanted to learn how to use them properly instead of harming myself.
Anyway, my body was starting to have issues(age, weight, office worker), and I linked up with a trainer at a chain gym, who gave me some advice re kettlebell form and showed me how to swing. That kinda got its hooks into me. Specially when the cardio component kicked in, showing the multifaceted nature of the beast.
The dynamism of the kettlebell attracts me, vs barbell or dumbbell. Life isn't a straight up and down motion set. So dumbbells never have called to me, despite having a few.
So now I have a few bells at home as I work on the S+S programming w/ a few specific exercises for prior injuries tacked on; and the wife is seeing what she can do with them too. It's a system that I can do 5-7x week and keep my fitness for the challenge of sitting at a desk and not having the body collapse around me. I don't need to be a trainer, pro athlete, cop, etc. Just want to live in health.
Since I got going with the bells, most of my life pains have vanished or diminished. The wrist tendonosis is in remission. I attribute most of that to the Swing. Many confounding variables, but I feel good most days.
Long term I'll probably cancel the gym membership and see if I can't just get a home treadmill & a bigger bell.