I want to share and maybe clarify a few things about Russian Kettlebell (RKB) training here in the US Kettlebell can be used in fitness training as well as the more traditional Girevoy or GS sport. (Girevoy Sport)
You have to understand the difference between GS training and just RKB training, and there is a BIG difference.
Let’s talk about GS first. What is GS?
GS is a very specific type of kettlebell training / steering. This is the professional sport of kettlebells, which includes two types of competition: Classic (Jerk and Snatch) and Long Cycle (clean and jerk).
During a GS competition, the athlete competes in one of the competitions mentioned above. The goal is to complete the most reps in 10 minutes WITHOUT lowering the kettlebell.
GS’s main focus is racing. (The physical aspect is just an added benefit) GS is a very difficult sport that requires a lot of things to be competitive. Technique, consistency, guts and patience, and extreme conditioning. Sounds simple right? (Trust me, it’s not easy).
There are some steps you need to follow and also know how to follow:
For. Technical
B. Force
vs. Conditioning
D. Objective
me. Consistency
F. Attention
gram. Knowing how to train to choose on time.
h. Small steps
And above all, and most importantly, is getting the right coach. One with the experience of competing AND training for competitions. In the sport of GS it is essential that your coach sets the example. You need a coach who “does whatever it takes” and NOT just “talks what he talks”. I have been honored to have such a coach.
My coach Panteley Filikidi is a man I respect not only for his achievements in the sport of GS as a competitor, but also for his style of training.
Now let’s talk about KB training:
A kettlebell is a very versatile tool for training. You can do just about every exercise you can do with dumbbells, plus a few new ones.
Most people train just to do some training. This typically includes a few sets of swings, a few presses, and a few snatches or lifting very heavy kettlebells for a few sets.
No structured training and no specific goal.
Practically the same exercise as always, but with a new training tool (KB).
This is not a correct technique, but there is a HIGH possibility of injury. (Especially from lifting very heavy kettlebells.)
When people say that I do weightlifting, you don’t know exactly what they are doing, when they say that I do Olympic weightlifting, then you know exactly what they train for. It is a very specific type of training / direction.
The same thing happens with kettlebells. GS is direction specific, Kettlebells or KB are a wide variety of things.
I think the GS approach to training is by far a much more advanced and useful training than just a KB training. And here is one of the main reasons: every exercise in GS must involve the correct technique, otherwise you will never see high numbers in the competition.
And the correct technique translates into “safety” and longevity.