Not all kettlebell lifts are for every one

Jan.2nd 2011


TacFit joint mobility routine for 30 min. stretch bands, and form roller.


Short WOD 10 sets of 10 and no rest for the wicked
Kneeling KB cleans
Pullups
KB Yaw press
Elevated ring pushup
GHD situp
Ab roller

I was reviewing a new training seminar for this coming year by one of my favorite Kettlebell trainers, as part of his program he was going to demonstrate the use of multiple kettebells in one hand to both hands, using regular compound exercise called the “kettlebell stacked lifts”. I have seen this done at times during Kettlebell certs and competitions as basically a stunt lift, but not promoted to be part of a regular training program for a number of reasons. Far be coming from me to look down at someone lifting asymmetrical lifting toys, but as long as it promoted as a stunt, and not part of a general routine in your next boot camp floor exercise program. It’s part of the many Kettlebell lifts that appear to be like a war looking for solders. Fundamentally there is nothing wrong with a stacked lift; it just has to find a good place in fitness life.


Let’s start with the type of kettebell. The RKC, fat handle or clones are almost too thick of handle diameter for one Kettlebell use, let alone 2. Most ladies and men with smaller hands have this as a down side. I have tried double “stacked” Kettlebell lifts with poor results (pinched hands). Now if you use the AKC or Russian style competition Kettlebell, with a more grip friendly handle, then two kettebells can be gripped without too much problems even for small hands.


The next thing you have to ask yourself, do I have access to two or more kettlebells of the same weight so I can stack lift. Most people are lucky to have one of each (I am real lucky as I have two of each) and even some well out fitted gyms may not have a large inventory of sized Kettlebells so you can show off. My biggest concern with this kind of lifting; it’s really for very skilled weight trainers who have strong hands to hold the weights together so you can lift them without straining body trying to prevent the renegade bell from coming down on ones brain. I have lifted a lot of crazy shit like kegs, logs, stones, sand bags but it’s not the lift that presents the challenge, it’s the deceleration so you don’t hurt yourself,floor or others or showing off.


If you really want to advance your overhead pressing and want a real strong man challenge, latch on to a “Thomas Inch” fat handle dumbbell. At over 2.5” handle weighing 172lbs, clean and press that baby one time. Using one hand to lift off the ground, clean it with one hand and press over head. If you can do that, then you are not showing off you have arrived at the altar of strong men.