All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
Choosing the right shot put is a lot like picking the right hammer for a job — the tool has to feel right in your hand, match the job you want to do, and hold up under repeated use. Whether you’re training in the backyard, competing at high school meets, or working toward college-level distances, the wrong implement can throw off your technique, slow progress, or even cause injury. This guide helps you navigate the best shot puts and the U.S. retailers that sell them, so you get the feel, weight, and durability you need.
Shot puts come in several standard weights, and it’s important to match the weight to your competition level or training goal. In the U.S. the most common weights you’ll encounter are 16 pounds for men at collegiate and professional levels, 12 pounds for high school boys, and roughly 8.8 pounds for women (often listed as 4 kilograms in metric but typically shown as about 8.8 pounds by U.S. sellers). For younger throwers and developmental training you’ll see 6-pound and 8-pound implements. Pick the correct weight for safe, efficient training — heavier isn’t always better if it ruins your form.
- 16 pounds — standard for men (college/pro). - 12 pounds — common for high school boys. - 8.8 pounds (about 9 pounds) — typical for women. - 6 and 8 pounds — youth/training sizes.
Shot puts aren’t one-size-fits-all. You’ve got competition-grade solid metal shots, practice shots with softer or textured shells, and synthetic or rubber shots meant for indoor use and safe training. Solid stainless steel or brass shots give a compact, hard feel and the smallest diameter for a given weight, which many competitive throwers prefer. Training shots can have sand or other fillings, slightly different center-of-mass feel, and sometimes a protective shell that’s easier on indoor surfaces.
Competition shots are dense and precise in balance — think of them as a premium sports car: tight tolerances, consistent performance. Practice shots are more like a rugged pickup: built to take a beating, sometimes a bit fuzzier in balance, but perfect for reps and drills. If you’re prepping for meet day, rotate between both types: use practice shots for volume and competition shots for technique tuning.
Shopping for a shot put in the U.S. is easy thanks to big-box retailers, specialty track-and-field suppliers, and online marketplaces. Major national chains like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Academy Sports + Outdoors carry a range of implements — from entry-level training shots to competition-grade metal shots. Walmart and Target sometimes stock basic training shots or smaller youth sizes. For specialty gear, brands such as Gill Athletics, UCS Spirit, and Champion Sports offer a wider selection of competition implements and official-competition models. Online marketplaces like Amazon and specialty shops such as Rogue Fitness or dedicated track-and-field stores also give you options and customer reviews to compare feel and durability.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods — broad selection, in-store try options at some locations. - Academy Sports + Outdoors — value-oriented, good for practice shots. - Walmart & Target — convenient and budget-friendly for youth models and training shots. - Amazon — huge selection, read reviews and check seller reputation. - Gill Athletics & UCS Spirit — specialized track-and-field suppliers for competition-grade implements. - Rogue Fitness & Champion Sports — solid options, especially for strength-oriented throwers and clubs.
Ask yourself three quick questions: What weight do I need? Where will I train? And what’s my budget? If you’re a high school thrower looking to compete, prioritize the official competition weight and a solid metal shot for meet simulation. If you’re coaching multiple kids or training indoors, pick a mix of practice shots and lighter youth implements so everyone gets proper reps. Budget-minded athletes can get high mileage out of practice shots and reserve the pricier competition pieces for final tuning.
When you handle a shot put, notice how the diameter fits in your hand — you don’t want your fingers cramped or slipping. The center of mass should feel centered, not wobbly. If possible, test different brands because a 12-pound shot from one maker can feel different from a 12-pound shot from another due to diameter and finish.
Shot puts are typically made of stainless steel, cast iron, brass, or coated materials. Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant and durable; cast iron is solid and cost-effective but may rust without proper care; brass is common in competition shots because it offers a slightly different balance and finish. Coated or rubberized shots are great for indoor work or high-rep practice because they protect floors and cage nets. Think of materials as personality traits: steel is the dependable athlete, cast iron is the affordable workhorse, and coated shots are the friendly neighbor that won’t scratch the living room.
A polished finish slides out of the hand smoothly for rotational throwers, while a textured or matte finish can give a better grip for glide-style athletes. If you’re worried about grip, look for shots with knurling or a slightly rougher finish, or simply invest in throwing chalk to improve your hold.
Online shopping gives you access to more brands, price comparisons, and user reviews — very handy if you’re comparing competition models like Gill or UCS. In-store buying offers the tactile advantage: you can pick up the shot, feel the diameter, and test the balance right there. If you’re unsure about fit, try a local sporting goods store first, then order the exact model online if you find a better deal. Either way, keep receipts and note the seller’s reputation — aftermarket sellers can sometimes mislabel weights or materials.
Look for seasonal sales at retailers like Dick’s and Academy, and monitor Amazon for lightning deals. For teams and clubs, buying bulk from specialized suppliers like Gill or Champion Sports can unlock volume discounts. Don’t forget to factor in shipping weight — shot puts are heavy, and some sellers charge extra for freight.
Taking care of a shot put is simple but effective: keep metal shots dry, wipe down after use, and store in a dry place to avoid rust. If you train indoors, use a soft cloth to protect the finish, and consider a protective sleeve for travel. For coated shots, clean off grit and store them out of direct sunlight to prevent coating degradation. Think of maintenance like oiling a bike chain — quick, regular attention keeps performance smooth.
Want to add distance? Don’t just throw heavier — throw smarter. Mix technical drills with strength work. Drills that isolate the footwork and hip drive, medicine ball throws to translate power, and banded lunges for single-leg strength all help transfer to better shot put distances. Practice sessions that alternate between high-intensity technical reps with your competition weight and volume work with lighter practice shots can accelerate skill gains without burning out your joints.
Start with a 10-minute warm-up of dynamic mobility, then do three sets of five medicine ball rotational throws, followed by five focused throws with your competition shot, concentrating on foot placement and hip drive. Finish with accessory strength: three sets of 8 single-leg Romanian deadlifts to build posterior chain strength.
When you’re ready to buy, consider the maker as much as the retailer. Gill Athletics and UCS Spirit are staples in the track-and-field world for competition-grade implements and consistent manufacturing tolerances. Champion Sports offers budget-friendly practice options and team packages. Rogue Fitness, while more known for strength gear, stocks competition-style implements and durable training shots appealing to serious throwers. The brand you choose affects diameter, finish, and feel, so prioritize brand reputation and reviews if you can’t test in person.
- Gill Athletics — competition focus, trusted at meets. - UCS Spirit — solid competition and youth options. - Champion Sports — budget and team packs. - Rogue Fitness — durable, performance-focused options for serious athletes.
Not sure what to pick? Here are a few scenarios that map to common choices. If you’re a high school male competitor, go for a 12-pound competition or competition-style shot and practice with a mix of 6- and 12-pound implements. If you’re a female thrower aiming for college, train primarily with an 8.8-pound competition shot and add weighted medicine-ball drills. Coaches with multiple athletes should stock a range of practice shots (6, 8, 12 pounds) and a couple of competition-grade metal shots for technique sessions.
Start with a durable practice shot in the correct weight range, buy a used competition shot if available, and upgrade to new competition pieces once you’re consistently improving distances and competing regularly.
Deals pop up all year, but watch for back-to-school and end-of-season clearances at major retailers. For guaranteed quality, buy from licensed track-and-field suppliers or well-known retailers listed above. When buying online, check customer photos and verified reviews for indicators of quality, and confirm weight labeling — you want the seller to list the exact weight in pounds so there’s no surprise at meet check-in.
Before you click “buy,” run through this quick checklist: correct weight in pounds, desired material and finish, trusted brand or retailer, and return or exchange terms (for sizing and balance issues). If you can handle the shot in-store, do it — otherwise, rely on detailed product specs and user reviews. This simple routine prevents costly mistakes and gets you the right implement the first time.
Buying the right shot put in the U.S. boils down to matching weight to your competition level, choosing the material and finish that suit your throwing style, and picking a reputable retailer or brand. Whether you shop at national chains like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Academy Sports + Outdoors, browse Amazon for variety, or buy competition-grade implements from Gill Athletics or UCS Spirit, a little research goes a long way. Practice smart, rotate between practice and competition shots, and maintain your implements — your throws will thank you. Now go find the shot that feels like an extension of your arm and start adding inches to every throw.
