5 Things You Should Know About Kettlebell Sport

#1.  Kettlebell Sport Exercises are Ballistic   
Ballistic means the weight is accelerated and released at some point during the exercise, or “lift.” There are hundreds of exercises you can do with a kettlebell, but the ballistic sport exercises - specifically the clean, snatch & jerk -  are the highest evolution of kettlebell training, the techniques having been honed thru competition over the past 70 years.

#2.  Kettlebell Sport Exercises are Unmatched in Efficiency
Low-impact, full-body strength, cardio and endurance at once; Seattle Kettlebell Club members have experienced noticeable improvement in these areas after only a few weeks of 3x/week visits as well as old shoulder, back, hip injuries, etc. improving or disappearing altogether after extended kettlebell training at SKC.

#3.  You'll Never "Max Out" in Kettlebell Sport
This is why you can do this whether you’re 10 or 70.  Now don't get me wrong; it's gonna get real.  But even at the peak of training, you’re using lighter weights for an extended period of time (up to 5 or 10 minutes or more).  This way, you are building endurance and keeping your heart rate up during your entire workout, which doesn’t happen with the more common method of lifting barbells or dumbbells for less reps with higher-to-max weight.

#4.  Kettlebell Sport Exercises are Easy to Modify to Your Fitness Level
When SKC refers to classes as “advanced” they mean technically advanced, not that you have to be in great shape. Once you learn how to perform the ballistic lifts through a workshop or private coaching session, they are easy to modify to your fitness level by raising or lowering the weight of the kettlebells and/or the pace at which you perform the repetitions.

#5.  Kettlebell Sport Isn’t CrossFit
If you have used kettlebells in CrossFit, we're glad to hear it - that's great.  But be prepared that kettlebell sport emphasizes different, more nuanced technique and some different kettlebell exercises entirely than are often used in CrossFit.  In order to be able to perform long sets of kettlebell sport exercises, you will probably have to let go of some of what you learned about using kettlebells at your box.

For more details about kettlebell sport competitions and lifts,

visit our website.

2018 Top 5 Kettlebell Clubs in the World

Ranked by the World Association of Kettlebell Sport Clubs

in St. Petersburg, Russia 

Member Highlight: Cara Ely

Congratulations to Seattle Kettlebell Club member, competitor and new mom Cara Ely!  Baby Maxwell was born Monday, May 9th, 2016, about a week after this interview was recorded (and Cara's last kettlebell workout).

We know it's pretty easy to find reason not to get to the gym or stick with a program, which is why we were so inspired and impressed by Cara's careful dedication to staying fit and healthy through her entire pregnancy; even competing at 7 1/2 months along!

Thank you to this super-woman for sharing her story with us.

www.seattlekettlebellclub.com

Kettlebells are Good News for Bad News Bears

I've always been Scrappy.

As a young boy I was the one challenging the bully or the bigger kids - even though I wasn't very big. I felt a certain amount of responsibility for the kids who did not have the confidence to stick up for themselves or were the ones who got picked last in sports. When it came time to choose teams,  I didn't mind choosing last because I was going to pick the underdog anyway.  For whatever reason, I had something to prove - and even if we didn't win I wanted to give the overconfident kids a run for their money - and we did!

Looking back, I see that for some reason I've always had a certain tenacity that works with the ability to find the winner in people and put them in a position to win.  Maybe it's because I felt a bit like an outsider myself; being a sort of latchkey kid... the son of a single dad and without a mom.  Whatever it is, I had it when I was little and it stuck with me as I started Seattle Kettlebell Club.   Like when people told me if I left the gym I was Personal Training at that I would never succeed... Thanks, Mike, you motivated me!

Now I get to meet people of all walks of life who want to start using kettlebells because they need to get in shape.  Often, I'll notice a new member might not have great posture, might have a weak handshake, might generally exhibit less than ideal confidence which is reflected in their physique.  I'll find out later they waited a long time or were really hesitant to join, which is funny because within a few weeks I'll already start to notice the difference.  He stands up straighter, acts more outgoing and seems generally happier while telling me the competitions seem cool but aren't his thing.  Cut to four or six months later when I can't get him to take training days off before his first competition.

These are not your typical athletes.  These are often the kids who got picked last or never even wanted to play, and here they are in their 30's and 40's getting in to something athletic for the first time in their lives and killing it.  Now they have the courage and skills to step up, and when they get on the platform, something amazing happens - they win!  Without fail, our members win!

Team Relay at SKC's BOLT Kettlebell Competition April 23rd, 2016

Roughly 90% of our members had never heard of kettlebell sport or even used a kettlebell when they joined Seattle Kettlebell Club, but close to 30% of our members have now participated in at least one competition, and 100% end up winning; because we set our goals accordingly and follow the plan.

The humbling aspect of the sport tends to attract people without big egos who are ready to listen and ready to work.  Which means we have a great community and have a lot of fun together and this is also a no BS gym. We don't have time or room for gimmicks.  Come on in.  You'll find functional equipment that makes you stronger and healthier surrounded by the proud underdogs-turned-athletes who appreciate that.

www.seattlekettlebellclub.com

Nikolai Puchlov