Putting 6 hours of workshop into one log was way too long, I am going to split this into 2 components, this one is focused on the sport moves and basic rules.
Today Ken and I had the opportunity of sharing our passion. We were invited by Elitefts to host a Kettlbell Workshop. The staff at Elitefts did an amazing job advertising for this event, they put together really cool video’s, posters and banners. We loaded up our truck with some of our kettlebells and took the 9 hour drive to London Ohio.
Kettlebells are different, most people have never tried them and lots have never even heard of them, and even most who have heard of them never knew there was a competition sport for Kettlebells. For those of us who know what benefits Kettlebells can give us we are always looking for different ways to get stronger, leaner, better conditioned and rehabilitated by utilizing Kettlebells efficiently.
There are so many different types of kettlebells and kettlebell training variations. There is sport, hard style, fitness, crossfit but in my mind there is a right way and a wrong way to perform most kettlebell moves.
This picture displays the correct way to hold a kettlebell overhead.
We had a perfect group of ten today, we had everyone from beginners, instructors, personal trainers, strongmen to massage/rehabilitation therapists but all with the same goal, to learn how to utilize kettlebells properly. Ken and I really enjoy working with smaller groups, we get to help hands on more with technique and different ques for people, every body type is different so not everyone is able to perform the moves the same. The hands on personal effect we can give at a workshop like this are unparalleled.
Introductions and intro to bells and different styles of bells.
KETTLEBELL SWING
Sounds simple right? I mean there are thousands of You Tube video’s showing you how to swing a kettlebell how hard can it be? We spent over an hour on swings, two handed, one handed, alternating.
THE CLEAN ( How to hold a kettlebell properly)
Getting the bell in the proper position before launching overhead is key to not getting injured, we must master the clean before moving onto the press. Be sure and watch mastering the clean video.
THE PRESS/PUSH PRESS/ JERK
We had everyone going strong until it was time to learn the Jerk. The kettlebell jerk is almost as difficult to learn and to teach as the snatch, the ques “Dip, Drop, Drive” or Toes, Heals, Toes, still didn’t help some! I got some good laughs out of Traci's attempts if nothing else ! Getting that second knee dip and co-ordination can be tricky, usually putting a heavier bell in their hand helps because you need that second knee dip to get the weight up.
THE CLEAN & PRESS/PUSH PRESS/JERK
We put a few sets together of these moves then I demonstrated what a 10 min set would consist of with Clean and Jerks or double Clean and Jerks for men in a competition.
THE SNATCH
The kettlebell snatch is probably the most underperformed and poorest of technique of all moves in my opinion. Difficult to master but once you know how to do the snatch it is a full body movement that even just using on it’s own can kick your body into high gear.
THE HIGH PULL
My favourite move of all, the highpull works your upper back, shoulder, grip/forearm strength and core. (This was a highlight, not too difficult to master)
I had a great day, Ken had a great day and I am pretty sure all 10 attendees had a great they, they left with a new appreciation of how effective kettlebells can be and how technical they really are. 6 hours of hands on kettlebells is a lot of work and I’m sure most will be very very sore and tired.
I want to thank Dave and Traci Tate for inviting us down to share our passion and to Live, Learn and Pass On.
Ken and I took this opportunity to give to the less fortunate. We donated 100 % of our proceeds to the “Make a Wish Foundation” in hopes that it will help bring joy to sick child and help make their Wish come true.
Thank you to all participants, Traci, Holly, Holly, Tim, Kim, Laurie, Omar, Brandon, Sandy and Kayla for coming out, we hope you learned a lot and will take what you learned and pass it on. Some travelled a long way to come to this workshop, Omar drove 9 hours about the same distance Ken and I travelled, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we will never forget this day and we are here for continued support and help when needed.
I do recommend if you want to try kettlebells that you get proper instruction, find someone you can trust and has proven their reputation and don’t believe everything you read or see on the internet.
#livelearnpasson #driven #kettlebells #passiontrumpseverything #teameletefts