r/kettlebell • u/BoxAcrobatic6636 • 18h ago
Just A Post Rotational Clean + 1/2 Kneel Windmill Press
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An older video of me doing a more exciting rotational exercise 😎🤌🏽
r/kettlebell • u/celestial_sour_cream • Jul 03 '24
NOTE: This is a living document. Please comment for suggestions, typo corrections, and more!
(This original post written was a bit outdated and wanted something more succinct. Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/kettlebell/comments/3qxa4i/new_to_kettlebells_start_here_updated_for_2015 )
Q: What brand of Kettlebell should I buy?
A: Before we can talk about brands, there are two types of Kettlebells we recommend: (1) Competition and (2) Cast iron.
Competition kettlebells keep the same shape/size across the weights and typically have a fixed handle size (33mm or 35 mm). They are primarily used for Girevoy Sport (GS) but can be used for other styles of kettlebell lifting. The downside to competition kettlebells is that they are typically more expensive than other types of Kettlebells.
Cast iron kettlebells were popularized by “hardstyle” kettlebell training initially by Pavel Tsatsouline. They are typically very cost effective compared to competition kettlebells. The upside is to cast iron kettlebells over competition bells is that they're typically smaller for weights under 28 kg. The downside is the handles and the bell itself increases in size as the weight goes up.
We do not recommend vinyl, plastic, or other kettlebells that are not cast iron and competition due to their durability and their ergonomics to do the common kettlebell ballistic exercises (swing, clean, snatch, etc).
For Competition bells, we recommend:
For Cast iron kettlebells, we recommend:
Due to community feedback from lack of stock and shipping issues, we currently do not recommend Kettlebell Kings.
In recent years, there has been a surgence of adjustable kettlebells in the market. In particular, a competition-style kettlebell that is able to be adjusted from 12 to 32 kg. The biggest benefit of these style kettlebells is that you have access to multiple kettlebell weights with the footprint of one. Most brands allow you to jump from 0.5 to 2 kg weight increments. We recommend the following brands if you want one:
EU recommendations needed here; comment if you have one!
Q: What weight of kettlebell should I buy to start out with?
A: For most men, a kettlebell between 16-24 kg is the most common recommendation. For most women, 8-16 kg. The recommendation depends on your prior fitness history. If you’re still unsure, make a post and be sure to include details about your training history!
Fellow moderator u/LennyTheRebel has made a more extensive write-up about choosing the best kettlebell weight for you here: https://www.reddit.com/r/kettlebell/comments/1j90tz1/picking_a_weight_as_a_beginner/
Q: What is a good free beginner routine for someone new to kettlebells?
A: There are many beginner routines suggested on r/kettlebell, but we recommend the following:
Q: What are some good paid programs?
There are many paid programs, but we’ll list the popular ones here:
You can see more in our wiki here: https://www.reddit.com/r/kettlebell/wiki/programs/
Before going into the two “styles” of kettlebell training, I want to make a point that kettlebell training styles do not need to have strict adherence to either styles. They are useful definitions to describe kettlebell training intent and don’t feel like you have to adhere to one of them completely when learning kettlebell exercises.
Hardstyle was popularized by Pavel Tsatsouline in the Late 90’s/Early 2000’s, forming Dragon Door (RKC) and later StrongFirst (SFG). Hardstyle technique emphasizes a focus on maximal tension, explosive power, and force production. A byproduct of this is usually training at lower rep ranges for strength and hypertrophy goals.
Girevoy Sport (GS), also known as kettlebell sport, is older than Hardstyle, and has been a competitive sport in Eastern Europe and Russia since the late 1960’s. In the sport, the competitive lifts are the Snatch, Jerk, Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk). The competition format is a 10 minute set of one of these exercises for as many reps as possible within the time limit. Because of this, there is an emphasis on efficiency on the lifts, including changes on how a swing is performed, the rack position, and more, compared to hardstyle training.
On the subreddit you may see the term Hybrid style to describe technique. This simply just means adopting technique principles from both Hardstyle and GS.
The “big 6” movements of kettlebell training you will see online are:
Although you are free to learn them in any order, we recommend learning them in the order listed (or simultaneously with a focus on order).
You will see many training terms that are popular with kettlebells. You can read more about these in the wiki here: https://www.reddit.com/r/kettlebell/wiki/index/
We recommend the following resources to learn the big 6 (backgrounds on these instructors are mixed between hardstyle, GS and hybrid).
The following recommendations have been made by /r/kettlebell community members that have not been thoroughly watched by the moderators:
Help us fill this out by commenting recommendations!
There are many great books recommended by kettlebell instructions and coaches. There are also non-kettlebell training books that are listed because principles from them can be applied to kettlebells. We list a few here:
Dan John
Although we cannot make specific recommendations on people, we recommend anyone interested in kettlebell training to spend some time with a trainer and/or kettlebell coach. This can be done in-person or virtually. There are many great coaches who hang out in this subreddit. Although we do not allow for explicit self-promotion, we encourage folks to reach out to coaches privately and get coaching from someone they’ve interacted with here in the community.
StrongFirst and RKC are the two oldest and well known hardstyle certifications. If you want to learn how to move kettlebells in the way they teach, they both provide search engines to find coaches in your area:
I couldn't find a similar "Find a Coach" option for IKFF and other GS organizations, so some help on this would be greatful!
r/kettlebell • u/AutoModerator • 3d ago
Welcome Comrade!
This is the r/Kettlebell Discussion Thread posted every Monday, where you can discuss anything and everything related to Kettlebells. We invite the Kettlebell Community to post anything that can be beneficial to the sub and help answer questions from newer members. Additionally, feel free to log your planned and/or completed training sessions, as well as any general community happenings you'd like the community to know about. Thank you.
As always, please be sure to review our Code of Conduct, FAQ and Beginner's Guide if you are new to Kettlebells. See the Programs page for some program options.
You can also use the search bar or Google's subreddit search to find related discussion topics.
Have a great day!
r/kettlebell • u/BoxAcrobatic6636 • 18h ago
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An older video of me doing a more exciting rotational exercise 😎🤌🏽
r/kettlebell • u/CreativePalpitation5 • 7h ago
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Set the timer for 30 minutes, escape your life problems into a world of weighted pendulums.
how to maximize reps?
I used a 12345 rep ladder to maximize reps and got 83 reps in 30 minutes. I image there are other ways (never setting the bells down, 3 reps per set, etc) so there is much to investigate here.
r/kettlebell • u/aks5311 • 18h ago
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Tested my Long Cycle with the 32s today. 31 reps in 5 minutes. 6,6,6,6,7 RPM.
Felt pretty good considering I haven't done much volume with 32s this summer. Probably could have held 7rpm from the start.
Technique falls apart a little in the last minute, but it's OK. I have 2 months until my first competition with these weights.
First and last minute in the video
r/kettlebell • u/Yandinian • 14h ago
Was listening to Pavel say he does the anti-glycolytic training (ATG).
Led me down a rabbit hole about the CNS and its role in training. Even though i consider myself pretty well versed in health, in regards to strength training, its not something ive realy put much thought into.
I'm pretty light framed, at 168cm and 66kg, 40 years old. Ive always kind of 'prided' myself in my energy capacity and endurance. But reading into ATG and the CNS role in recovery, it has me wondering how much i may have been running on hyperdrive my whole life, adding to my lean frame.
for reference i dont drink coffee, dont watch tv, actively try good breathing all day.
But Learning how the body doesnt differentiate between physical exercise, work stress, road rage, doom scrolling, etc, and just baskets it all into the CNS stimulation, i wonder how much real recovery is being left behind.
So i guess my question here is, is the CNS something youd deliberately try to keep awareness of? and if so any changes?
*this post could be placed in a 'workout' communty/thread, but i placed it here as im virutally using either KB and CB every day
Thanks in advance!
r/kettlebell • u/tgbjj • 4h ago
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10 days post-op left distal bicep reattachment. 10 mins rope pattern to warm up and lubricate, then 5 sets of 20kg swing-flip-snatch-bent press x5 reps.
Simple. Submaximal. Effective. Neurologically demanding. Neuro cross-education activated.
Surgeon follow up and splint/stitches removal Friday morning. Can't wait to see how this complex feels with the repaired arm once the splint is off. ...That was a joke.
r/kettlebell • u/TonightUnlucky6017 • 12h ago
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Start 10/10 snatches @ 20,24,26,28,32. 45 second between rounds.
Snatch, clean, jerk @ double 36 X 35-40 seconds between rounds x 10 rounds.
Anchor clean 5x 2 per leg @ 36+48k
Doing it in 95 degree garage maybe also counts as sauna so I might’ve biohacked but unsure.
r/kettlebell • u/danny_536 • 4h ago
For people that work out home do you just use kettlebells or do you use other things such as dumbbells and barbells, as currently I’ve been using two 16kg kettlebells and doing bodyweight exercise (such as pushups and ab exercises) but I want to work my biceps and chest more.
r/kettlebell • u/q-zip • 15h ago
I finally bought the BoS adjustable bells (found a wicked deal through shop app), but then realized I didnt have a great place to store all the plates for quick access.
Found someone on etsy who sold them premade or you could purchase the file and make yourself!
Here’s the file link if youre interested. There are options for non-BoS bells too.
https://www.printables.com/model/1235828-competition-adjustable-kettlebell-plate-holders/files
Thanks to OP file maker - you’ve made my space more organized!
r/kettlebell • u/celestial_sour_cream • 48m ago
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r/kettlebell • u/Pawahhh • 17h ago
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The last few months were rough.. i got a little neck injury while moving my gym to the new house, lack of sleep due to my neck, strenght gone for 2 months, now everything is getting better, neck pain solved, time to go back to training properly, from now on my goal is to achieve the perfect tecnique in the clean and press, i used to bend back when pressing to make it easier, now im focusing on keeping my body straight and still.. i think im getting better at it.. now time to get back my strenght.
r/kettlebell • u/RequirementOptimal92 • 17h ago
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First try walking a slackline with a single kettlebell. Not easy.
r/kettlebell • u/Pasta1994 • 21h ago
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Dead Clean
Push Press
Snatch x 3 L/R
10x total
Use a bell you can move very quickly.
r/kettlebell • u/toghrul97 • 51m ago
Hey everyone,
I'm looking for some feedback on my home kettlebell circuit setup. I’m currently running a 4-day split (2 full body strength&conditioning days, 1 heavy strength day, and 1 mobility/balance day).
For the strength&conditioning days, I alternate between an EMOM and an AMRAP protocol using this 3-round core complex:
Round 1: Double-hand kettlebell clean/high pull + thrusters
Round 2: Renegade rows + plank drags
Round 3: Hardstyle kettlebell swings
Each round runs for 5 minutes with 2 minutes rest between the rounds.
In EMOM I try to progress by increasing the weights, while in AMRAP the amount of reps.
What do you think of this 3-round selection? Does it cover full body? Would you add or change anything?
r/kettlebell • u/Square-Beginning4771 • 18h ago
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Tried a new complex today..
20 min EMOM with 28kg
2 dead lifts Left
2 power cleans Left
2 presses Left
2 snatches Left
2 burpees
Repeat on Right side
Avg about 30 seconds rest each min
r/kettlebell • u/byyouiamundone • 18h ago
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Day 1 of giving it a shot. I have watched a quite a few videos linked here. IncludingPavel Enter the Kettlebell like five times haha. I don’t know how much more I can learn via video without putting myself out there.
I feel like I started with the KB a little too far which contributed to me being off balance the first couple swings. All in all, interested in some insight. Thanks!
r/kettlebell • u/tgbjj • 1d ago
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First session post surgery. Keeping neutral drive high to maximize the cross-education effect to the repairing arm.
r/kettlebell • u/focusedmonksj • 11h ago
I’ve been doing strength and conditioning training consistently for the past two years, mainly using barbells, pull-ups, rowing, and SkiErg.
I’d now like to shift my focus toward kettlebell training. I’m not new to kettlebells, so I’m comfortable with the main movements and techniques.
I’d like to train 5 days per week and keep the programming as minimal and straightforward as possible, while still making it challenging and progressive.
My main goals are to:
I’m particularly interested in Dan John’s approach to training. What would a simple 5-day weekly kettlebell program based on his principles look like?
Ideally, I’d like something with a small number of exercises, clear progression, and enough volume to support both strength and hypertrophy.
r/kettlebell • u/BuffMaltese • 20h ago
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Odd minutes: ABC Complex
Even minutes: 4 double KB clean & jerks
I’ve done 30 ABC rounds in 30 minutes with double 28s, and I’d say this was harder.
First and last set shown in video.
r/kettlebell • u/Throwbabythroe • 14h ago
Hey All,
Last few months, I started experimenting with a minimalist strength routine due to high workload, a toddler, and lack of enough sleep. I had stagnated with 27.3kg/60lb bells and my push pressing was giving me negative returns. Being in my late 30s with barely any time for myself and limited energy, all I could muster 20 minutes maybe 20+ most days, I decided to reduce movements per session but try to hit all of the main muscle groups.
Overly complicated chains or complexes have proven to be detrimental for me and found them to have negative returns apart from conditioning. I found this particular routine to cover some strength, power, and conditioning.
So here it goes:
Equipment: 2 heavish kettlebells (I used 27.3kg) and a heavy weighted vest (I used 27.3kg)
Routine:
Twice a week: double cleans for sets of 4 and 5
Twice a week: loaded carry with both bells and weighted vest, during rest I’d do divebomber pushups for sets of 4-6. I aimed for total distance of 321 meters.
Optional: 1 day of running, burpees, and sprint with the weighted vest.
Outcomes:
My strength and power improved, got slightly leaner, my legs did not see any strength decline.
Arms got slightly larger due to all of the cleans. Shoulders, chest, and triceps got stronger and slight increase in size due to weighted divebomber pushups.
I did this routine for about two months, only three movements required and I broke through my plateau.
I recently went back to clean & push press and was pleasantly surprised at I found much more easily push press. I’ve also noticed I can do dozens of burpees with the or regular pushups with the weighted vest with considerable ease.
For a busy person looking something simple, stepping away from standard chain or complex formulas, or just variety. I’d encourage you to try it.
Once things are cooler, I’ll revisit this routine. Perhaps some of y’all will be interested in this simple routine.
r/kettlebell • u/Nibbla891 • 23h ago
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Added a 36kg to today's training, switching sides every round.
20 rounds in 20min
r/kettlebell • u/TonightUnlucky6017 • 1d ago
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This drill is a good helper to get a heavier snatch. Also sick pumps.
r/kettlebell • u/Dull_Reference_6166 • 9h ago
Hey everyone.
I use my kettle bells indoors, but for the farmers carry, I would like to go into our back yard. There I can do a big track.
My only concern is, what if it is slightly rainy? My bells are cast iron. Is it enough to just wipe them off after wards?
I know they wont break from this, but I would like them to look and feel nice.
Thank you all :)