UK Open Kettlebell Championships 2009 Announced

The UK Open Kettlebell Championships have been announced. The event, Sponsored by the International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation (IKFF) was preliminarily mentioned at the IKFF CKT course in Edinburgh, Scotland, a few weeks back. It can now be confirmed the date is in fact 18th July 2009. Money raised from the Championships will be donated to charity.

The event promises to be the largest Kettlebell competition in the UK set to international standards, and is open to all Kettlebell Lifters (regardless of style) or nationality. The UK Open Kettlebell Championships is being organised the UK end by IKFF UK Advisor, Jonathan Lewis (of Industrial Strength London and Balance Physiotherapy) and Cj Swaby of CJS Fitness.

A group has been set up on Ning which outlines all the details to the Championships as they unfold. The site will also provide online training, programs, forums, video clips and an opportunity to get together and train with like minded individuals wherever you may be located.

While the focus of the site is currently the UK Open Kettlebell Championships, the purpose of the Kettlebell Triibe is to set the standard and help Kettlebell Competitions in the UK flourish. You can join here.

Here's a sneak look of what a competition involves

IKFF Scotland, Edinburgh 2009

I recently had the opportunity to head up to Edinburgh accompanied by Jonathan Lewis to assist on the IKFF (International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation) Course in Scotland.

It's always inspiring to reconnect with Steve Cotter and Ken Blackburn, their phenomenal athletic prowess is matched only by their humility, and generosity as Coaches. Jason Dolby also came over from the States to bless the course with his presence, his enthusiasm and technical knowledge helped to sustain the energy of the group over the weekend.

The host for the weekend was Rannoch of Kettlebells Scotland. I had previously been in contact with Rannoch about a collective project we've been working on (more info coming soon), but had never actually met him. Rannoch is without a doubt a diamond. If you are training with Kettlebells in Scotland, seek this man out. Knowledgable, with more passion and enthusiasm then the energizer bunny (once you get him going), Rannoch is welcoming with a no nonsense approach.

The IKFF delivered a high quality content Kettlebell Course, as I'm sure you've noticed by all the stuff circulating online. I met a truly inspiring group of people that weekend, check out some of the highlights below.

Have You Inspired Anyone Recently?

Swimming 2.4 miles (3.8km), followed by a 112 mile (180 km) bike ride then nicely topping it off with a 26.2 mile (42 km) is just plain crazy - phenomenal, but crazy. To endure not a leg of the Tour De France, but the whole thing, the worlds most famous cycling race, is again phenomenal (and slightly unhinged).

Doing all of this, while being diagnosed and being treated for cancer is something else. Beating cancer twice, then dedicating your life to helping others with cancer is something special. This is Mike Grisenthwaite, this is what he does.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mike while he was down in London, collecting funds for the Charity he champions, Cyclists Fighting Cancer. Mike has a vision of establishing a centre of excellence in the UK for Exercise and Cancer Recovery, and getting the word out to the public and health professionals the importance of exercise in combating and managing cancer.

CJS Fitness holds a keen interest in Exercise and Cancer Recovery, and plans to create London wide schemes on late 2009. We're giving full support to the workshops the National Association of Cancer Exercise Rehabilitation (NACER) are putting on in April 2009.

Check out the article the Daily Express ran on Mike or Reuters online. Mike is a humbling and inspiring man, and my guess is, that he doesn't even realise it.

Meet Mike Grisenthwaite.

Kids and Kettlebells - Too Much Too Soon?

Have a look at the clip, what do you think?



All credit to Nocona, there is no taking away what he has achieved, it was a truly awesome feet of strength at a body weight of 97lbs and at 13 years of age. But therein lies the question, if he was 23 years of age at the same body weight, Jerking the 24kg what would we be saying?

I would be looking at form, because form determines function. Quality of movement is paramount. It doesn't matter if your three years old, thirteen years old or thirty three, the same rules apply.

When working with a heavier Kettlebell than you are used to, there is a parameter of chaos that your body will have to adapt to in order to execute the movement. After a given tipping point form will go, and then you are in the hazard zone (and you don't want to be there).

The Jerk in the video may not have been text book stuff, and it may not have been pretty, and while I do have some reservations - no injury occurred. The key is to know when to 'Rack it' and end the set as in this video.

No matter how much your ego may tempt you to go on, quitting while you're ahead is not the same as quitting. If you're working with a Kettlebell Coach, a good Coach will know when, and when not to.

Once again, more power to Nocona Jodrey, very, very impressive.

Take My Advice and Don't Listen To Others

When others are in a good mood they like you, when they're in a bad mood they don't. We often value the opinion of others higher than we value our own. Sometimes the key is knowing when not to listen and trust yourself completely.

Do the thing that you're passionate about, if you don't know what it is, find it. Nurture it, help it grow, cherish it and then share it. Jason McElway understands this. Jason is Autistic. Jason McElway is phenomenal.



Thanks to the Desel Crew for posting this clip on their blog.

Creative Training? or Just Plain Nuts?!

Some have you may have seen this video clip before on Youtube or the Industrial Strength London Blog. I had some interesting conversations with some Coaches and Physiotherapists following this post. Watch the video, you'll understand why.



There is a lot of research available on Hypoxia training, or often more specific to altitude training. The theory goes, that when faced with low oxygen concentration levels the body will undergo several adaptations which have a positive carry over to performance when either 1) The body has to perform under low oxygen concentration levels or 2) Performance will be enhanced when oxygen concentration levels are adequate thus giving you the edge on your opponent.

London's very own innovative sports performance equipment company, Hybreathe, are developing a portable device that can potentially deliver the benefits of altitude training. But before they spend silly amounts of money getting it well and truly wrong, they're asking for your feedback and ideas. As a thank you, you're in with a chance of winning some rather cool stuff. Fill out an online survey and give your thoughts here.

Triathlete magazine has an interesting article about altitude (hypoxia) training, but as you can see from the clip above there could be interesting carry over to combat sports."

Kettlebells and Pregnancy - Do They Mix?

It's a very valid question that I've been asked often. Without it seeming as if I'm perched comfortably on the fence, the answer is "Yes" and "No". Let me explain.

It really depends on your exercise history, current levels of physical activity and the existence of any other conditions (medical or otherwise) that could adversely affect the mother or baby.

When my sister was due with her third child, I called her up the week of the due date to see how she was getting on. To my concern she answered the phone panting and out of breath. I thought she was giving birth right there and then while on the phone. She replied that she was at the park playing football with her other two boys. She was nine months pregnant and had just sprinted the length of the field to score the winning goal to her delight! (my nephews were not impressed). The key thing is to look at frequency, intensity, mode and duration. If you are unsure seek out a fitness or health professional who knows. You want to minimise risk to baby and mother while maximising potential benefits to the health of both, and ease of delivery.

You would have to be a genius of G.W.Bush proportions to suggest that a mother who has never exercised before and is 3 weeks into her first pregnancy then starts knocking out 10 minute snatch sets with a 24kg kettlebell. This doesn't mean that you can't do anything, even so called health professionals suggest inactivity when there is no obvious reason to do so. If you exercised prior to pregnancy, there is no reason that with sensible adjustments you can not train throughout. The ACSM has some good guidelines for general exercise during pregnancy.

So what about Kettlebells. It surprises me that the reaction is to immediately disregard Kettlebells as a mode of training when pregnant. It is usually fear that drives the response rather than sound clinical reasoning. Obviously, somethings are inappropriate, others are fine. Don't believe me? Fine check out Lauren Brooks then post your comments. A Kettlebell Coach who trained during her pregnancy and has since regained her figure. Living proof it can be done.