The Kettlebell Swing

Why do you quote this:

more “qualified”

Maybe I am not understanding correctly (that is why I'm asking), but to me it seems to imply a lack of respect torwards qualified KB teachers.

I am the "TC" quoted in this article. I stand by my quote, and only decry it's use out-of-context to create a battle between the American and Russian swing. Two-handed swings can be done at all levels, if correct and safe form is used. But the power of the swing is in it's potential for building strength-endurance, not maximal power, so a comparison to the Clean and Jerk is an apples and oranges arguement.

The thing that most CFers do wrong while overhead swinging is shown clearly in the photos of the article - page 1, the gentleman's knees are still bent, the back is arched, the bell is past 12 midnight, and his head is poked forward. The bended knees make the low back the fulcrum on the upswing - not smart for power or back health. The arched back should be neutral, a much stronger position to stop the KB. The bell should be stopped just short of vertical for three reasons - the distance traveled will be nearly the same as vertical, the reversal of direction can happen quicker (allowing for more reps per minute), and you will avoid the risk of "losing it" behind you, which can easily wrench your wrists, elbows and/or shoulders, and possibly your ankle if it falls closely behind you. The head poking forward is unneeded compensation for an excessive swing behind the shoulders.

Try doing the two-handed swing following the parameters I describe and see how much more solid and safe you feel. Overhead swings are great, IF you do them safely.

FWIW, Russian KB Lifters rarely do two handed swings - they do 1 handed swings with very heavy KBs, usually 32kg if they do snatches with the 24kg, and they swing the 40kg if they snatch the 32kg KB. Read Steve Cotter's article in the July 2007 CF Journal to get a more detailed and "qualified" description of the way Russians swing the KB.

Mr. Glassman's actions after this article was published seem to indicate agreement with my "needing more qualified" KB instructors, since he has since recruited both Jeff Martone and Steve Cotter to write articles for the Journal and put on KB certifications for CrossFit. Very smart moves on his part, just as he recruited Mike Burgener to improve the Olympic Lifting technique of CFers, and got Rippetoe's expertise on the powerlifts.

I totally agree with Coach on the power thing. The greater distance you move an object, the more force you exert. That is just basic physics.

The question then is: Why not just snatch the kettlebell to get it overhead?

The snatch is just swing with a punch on top.