HOW TO KEEP THE KETTLEBELL FROM HITTING YOUR HEAD

That’s right…
hitting your head, and No, the solution does not involve wearing a helmet.
In the last year or so several of my Kettlebell clients  have returned with horror stories from their friends who are taking kettlebell classes around town. It turns out that they can’t figure out how you’re supposed to do kettlebell techniques without the kettlebell bruising your forearms, collarbones or …. Hitting yourself in the head. Worse than that, their "kettle-ball" instructors usually just tell them that they will eventually figure it out on their own, or suggest wrist bands, arm bands, etc...

First of all, let me make it perfectly clear that in 3 years of teaching well over a thousand group kettlebell classes and several hundred private sessions I have NEVER had a single student hit themselves in the head with a kettlebell. Zero, nada, zip, zilch,squat, goose egg… you get the idea.  This is probably directly related to the fact that I’ve gone through multiple RKC instructor courses, assisted at HKC instructor courses, assisted at the RKC instructor course, completed the CK-FMS certification, purchased then devoured dozens of high quality books and DVDs on the topic, listened to hundreds of hours of audio on the subject, train with kettlebell 4 to 6 days a week, etc, etc, etc…

With the rising popularity of kettlebells and the ever increasing demand for kettlebell instruction, all manner of group exercise classes are starting to incorporate kettlebells into their routines with kids and adults. The problem is most “personal trainers” do not take the time to learn how to use a kettlebell, let alone get trained in how to teach effective kettlebell techniques, properly and safely.  

Just the other day a certified personal trainer asked if he could use my kettlebells to train his overweight client. When I asked if the trainer had been trained in their usage and trained in how to teach them he said “No”.  Most trainers just want to impress and or entertain you. They’ll make stuff up on the spot and have you do completely inappropriate exercises just because they thought it looked cool on the Biggest Loser. If you want heaping plateful of entertainment with a high risk of injury enjoy, then by all means go enjoy your choreographed, rubber coated, pink and yellow “kettle-ball” workout at your local group exercise class.

HOW TO KEEP THE KETTLEBELL FROM HITTING YOUR HEAD?

Short Cliff Note’s Answer

·         Take lessons from me, an RKC Certified Kettlebell Instructor or any other experienced RKC or HKC instructor.

Medium Length AnswerRKC Certified Kettlebell Instructor's have an immense tool box of teaching tools, corrective drills and exercise progressions to teach the following items as efficiently as possible.

• Learn how to properly hold the kettlebell while maintaining a neutral wrist.
• Never perform a kettlebell swing higher than chest level.
• Learn how to accelerate the handle around the bell during cleans and snatches.
• Learn how to “tame the arc” during cleans and snatches.
• Learn when the right time is to tightly grip vs loosely grip the handle.
• Learn how to avoid the “broken arm” position during cleans and presses.
• Learn how to safely maintain a “packed shoulder”, “locked elbow”, vertical arm and neutral wrist during overhead lifts.
• Learn how to safely lower the kettlebell into the “Racked” position.
• Learn how to safely absorb the shock when dropping a kettlebell from the lockout.
• Learn how to center your hips under the weight overhead, not your skull.

If you or your “Kettle Ball” trainer do not know the items listed above, please consult an RKC or HKC certified instructor get us to come host a one-day kettlebell workshop at your location.

FUN HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:
IF YOU TAKE KETTLEBELL IN A GROUP CLASS, OR FROM A PERSONAL TRAINER

Want to stump the average personal trainer who’s trying to push kettle-ball on you? Ask them the following questions:

• What’s the benefit to using a kettlebell as a training tool?
• What exercises will you have me do with a kettlebell that we can’t already do with a barbell, dumbbell or medicine ball?
• Can I wear my cushy heeled tennis shoes while using kettlebells? [Hint: NO!]
• Have you been specifically taught and certified how to teach specialized kettlebell techniques in a safe progressive manner by a respected authority on Kettlebell training?  
• If yes:
• How long ago?
• Who certified you?
• What did you have to do earn your certification?
• How do I contact them to see if your certification is still valid?

---

Since 2001 , the RKC has been the world’s first and best kettlebell instructor certification. Getting certified as an RKC requires extensive training experience with kettlebells, a high level of fitness, the ability to properly demonstrate teachniques, the ability to safely teach each technique, passing the RKC Snatch Test, surving the 3-days of kettlebell lifting, completed the Grad Challenge, technique test and teaching test. Failure rates for candidates range from 30% to 80%. All instructors must re-certify every two years. The RKC is an ever growing and evolving organization that continues to attract and retain the best of the best. It is currently an international organization with over 2000 certified RKC instructors and 1500 HKC certified Instructors.
[Read more about the RKC at http://www.dragondoor.com/ ]