Oh dear...I've just spotted yet another trainer advertising Kettlebell training in my area- who is NOT qualified or certified to teach them.
Don't get me wrong- I love some healthy competition, its good for business. But it is worrying when Personal trainers tout themselves as Kettlebell trainers, leaving you (the client) exposed to malpractice and potentially injuries which are inevitable when Kettlebells are used incorrectly. Furthermore, we the Kettlebell community will be blamed for a list of injuries caused by other's mistakes.
What can go wrong?
What some trainers don't realise is that Kettlebell training is very different to conventional gym exercises. Certain muscles must be used to avoid pressure on the wrong areas and joints. Speed and tempo, along with correct breathing are essential components in kettlebell training. When I qualified as a Kettlebell trainer, I pretty much had to throw out what I had learned as a Personal trainer. Isolation is something I focused on in the past, now I'm all about working the whole body- in dynamic and explosive movements. You'll rarely find me doing bicep curls or teaching them nowadays!
As with any exercise, if you use the wrong muscles, and have bad form when training with kettlebells you WILL get injured. Kettlebells are an art that must be taught to you by someone who is personally proficient in their use and qualified to do so.
What should we look for?
If your Personal trainer is qualified to teach kettlebells- they should state this in their bio or website. There are only a handful of certifications which are acceptable.
These are (in no particular order):
- IKFF CKT 1: International Kettlebells and Fitness Federation- (see IKFF )
- ADPF: Angie Dowds & Rob Partridge Professional Fitness- (see ADPF)
- Optimal- Extreme Kettlebell Instructor- (see Optimal)
- UKKA- now GBKA
- RKC- Russian Kettlebell Certification- (see RKC)
Sometimes I'll hear the arguement: "I don't need to certify, experience counts for far more than a certificate". To a certain extent this is true, but how can you guarantee experience and that they've been doing things correctly? Bad habits die hard. Furthermore, if your trainer is commited to their self-development and expansion of knowledge why would they not become certified to teach?
The current situation.
I sell kettlebells. I sell to gyms, training facilities, individuals and even personal trainers. Whenever I sell kettlebells to trainers I ask them if they are qualified to teach...sadly most say NO. What they do is watch a few videos on youtube and teach themselves (wrongly) how to train with them. With these guys I'll ask them to show me a simple kettlebell swing. What follows is usually a terrible display of mis-understanding of what kettlebells are and how to use them....too much backward lean at the top, kettlebell too high at the top of the arc, back bent over and no hip extention- its like a car crash.
I'll then recommend they do a few sessions with me, or even better: do a Kettlebell certification, to which most reply: "its too expensive" or "I don't have time"!
Disaster waiting to happen.
These trainers are jumping on the band wagon- and you'll pay the price if you train with them or attend their classes.
The take home message.
If you're attending a class or bootcamp which involves kettlebells, or being trained by a trainer who uses kettlebells as part of their service, ask them if they are qualified by one of the above organisations. Furthermore, ask to see their certificate proving their qualification. It still shocks me how no one asks to see my well earned certificates! Its crazy! Its like allowing a non-Corgi registered engineer to service your boiler....you just wouldn't do it!
Insurance
If the trainer is operating outside of a gym or training facility, they will need adequate Civil liability insurance which covers their legal liability to you (the client) for death, injury or illness to others and loss of, or damage to third party property. This is important and you should ask to see the certificate of cover checking dates on the paper work.
Brighton Kettlebells prides itself on the high standard of all the instructors taking their classes, all of which are not only qualified and certified, but insured for peace of mind. Furthermore, we constantly evolve, investing money to take on new certifications, keeping up with the latest trends and learning new training forms.
Ask yourself this question:
Is your Trainer qualified to teach?
