Kettlebell Certification and Instruction

By John Wild Buckley


       Looking for Kettlebell instruction can be a confusing endeavor. Are you looking for a Kettlebell instructor or are you looking to become one yourself? Are you looking for personal training or an introduction and some guidance? Is one school better than another? Why are the prices so different? All of these questions are good ones and I will do my best to enlighten you and hopefully answer the questions you have.

RKC: The RKC or Russian Kettlebell Challenge is the first place most people look to when searching for Kettlebell answers. It is the juggernaut in the industry as far as Kettlebell instruction is concerned. The RKC is an independent certifying body. This is why it is so expensive. It is also held in St. Paul Minnesota so travel expenses are relevant. An RKC is a certified Kettlebell instructor and can advertise as such therefore they do not distribute CEU's. The website can be a little overwhelming especially to a beginner but there are a few key places to visit.

1) The Forum. The forum is a great place to read in on the conversations of avid Kettlebell lifters. You will read about workouts, styles, personal preferences, and even arguments over core beliefs (usually pertaining to Kettlebells).

2) The trainer locator. The trainer locator is an excellent resource for a person looking to find a RKC in their area. It is broken into levels of education as well as location.

3) Seminars and workshops. The RKC has many workshops and public seminars hosted by their star Pavel.

4) The store. The store is where you can buy everything from t-shirts to the AB Pavelizer! You will also find an abundance of dvd's and books on anything having to do with Kettlebells.

The RKC is the largest Kettlebell organization in the western world by miles. Almost every Kettlebell enthusiast you meet will be familiar with the teachings of the RKC even if they don't practice them personally. There are several valuable things about being an RKC. First is the education itself. I have found that almost every gym member I have met who was trying to use a bell was trying hard style. It is good to speak the popular language. Second is the network. There are RKC's everywhere and I have found that they are usually more than happy to reach out to each other. Third is the trainer locator. This is the first site people go to when they are looking for a trainer. Being on this list gives you huge exposure.

The RKC itself is a school of strength. It is structured around the Kettlebell as a tool for building power-endurance and raw strength. Power-endurance in this case is the ability to perform ballistic exercise with heavy weight for long periods of time. There is also a large element of artificial tension. Every grind, or slow movement, is supported by paradoxical breathing which creates tension in the body and adds support for the lifter. There are arguments on the upside/downside of artificial tension but there is no doubt that it will increase your one rep max.

The bottom line with the RKC is that the "Hard Style" that they teach is a highly effective way to develop strength, power, endurance, and stability. It also makes you feel like one tough son of a gun! It is rich in the WOW! Factor. I personally have trained myself and my clients in hard style and it never fails to leave everyone who uses it impressed with their own power. The AKC: Or the American Kettlebell Club is the traditionalist choice. The AKC specializes in three lifts: Snatch, Jerk, Long-cycle. These are the lifts performed in international competition. The star of the AKC is Valery Fedorenko, who is the Michael Jordan of Giveroy Sport or GS for short. He is an Honored Master of Sport and an international competition record holder and legend.

The AKC is an independent certifying body. It is also expensive, however, at the time of this printing you receive a set of professional grade Kettlebells to offset the price. The AKC also travels and is likely to show up in a town near you at some point.

This certification focuses on the three main lifts and a swing that is very different from hard style. The AKC is based on GS sport. It can be likened to the USAW in that respect. The lifts are technical and advanced but easy enough to learn with diligent practice and commitment. Everything feels backwards with the AKC when you begin. The breathing is anatomical. The back is bent in the snatch and looks contorted in the jerk and long cycle. However, the more you train and study the more you understand how the lifting is done without injury.

The timed set is the staple of the AKC. The lifter works themselves to the point where they can perform a lift for 10min. Lifts performed with one arm get one hand switch, lifts with two arms get none. This method develops more than endurance. It develops a person's will. Much like a marathon runner, or a boxer in the championship rounds, a GS competitor must manage great emotional and physical stress for a long period of time. It is a practice of relaxation. The lifter can not dip into the trusty anger reservoir of more strength. Any wasted energy will cost them their goal. They must be calm, they must practice patience.

I love GS as a practice. It is relaxing to the body and mind. It is my early morning run. The side affects of GS are clear and abundant. The lifter will experience similar benefits to most competitive athletes. Remember though, GS is a sport and is taken seriously by those who practice it. For the general population the three moves may become redundant. This should not be a deterrent however because nobody who throws bells is "general Pop" anyway.

The IKFF: The International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation is an independent certifying body started by Steve Cotter and Ken Blackburn in 2008. It is a newer certification which works to its advantage as it was born out of the other two.

The IKFF teaches the three basic moves of the AKC as well as movement and bodyweight exercises. It is a blend of both worlds that is designed to fit into every trainer's fitness programming. Most of the IKFF trainers are also AKC's, RKC's, or both. It is the first certification that is geared towards the more committed lifters even on its entry level. There focus is on teaching and thinking. The IKFF is a global school. So whatever country you are in the IKFF will find you.

CEU's: There are many schools that are not independent certifying bodies. They are schools that distribute continuing education credits. This means that while upon completion you are not a "certified Kettlebell instructor" you will have a basic understanding of the workings of Kettlebell training and some CEU's to show for it. These workshops range from one to two days and are cheaper than a full certification. There are many different schools for example: Kettlebell Athletics, Kettlebell concepts, or the Orange Kettlebell Club. It is best to look into who the instructors are and how the classes have been reviewed. Usually the instructors are certified by one of the larger bodies, but not always.

Independents: These workshops are taught by you local Kettlebell "expert". They are informal and do not distribute ceu's or certifications. Sometimes they are very good. Sometimes they can be a total waste of money. Feel free to attend, but don't pay too much and make sure you listen carefully. You will need to trust your judgment here. Deciding how good the teacher is will not be hard, even for a beginner.

OKC WORKSHOPS:

IKFF CERTIFICATIONS:

RKC CERTIFICATIONS: