The CrossFit Experience With Jeff Martone

Get your weekly dose of “boom” with Jeff Martone as he talks kettlebell cleans, snatches and thrusters at the CrossFit Experience at the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games.

The CrossFit Kettlebell instructor highlights the importance of the rack position, emphasizing hand placement and keeping the weight close to the body.

To avoid bruised forearms, simplify the movement, he says, by thinking, “drop the elbow, open my hand.”

“Here’s the principles: driving through the heels, hip extension,” Martone explains. “I’m not shruggin’. That kettlebell’s going to be driving my arm up. Drop the elbow—that’s what you’re doing.”

Thrusters with kettlebells are no more enjoyable than those with a barbell, especially when it comes to Fran, he jokingly continues.

“Fran never feels good anyway … no matter what your time is,” Martone says with a laugh. “And it feels less good when you’re doing it with kettlebells ’cause now it’s like crushing your chest. It’s harder to breathe. Your pull-ups suffer.”

But with proper rack positioning and the kettlebell close to the body, he adds, it’ll be easier to move.

8min 24sec

HD file size: 303 MB
SD wmv file size: 100 MB
SD mov file size: 52 MB

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Additional reading: All About the ’Bell by T.J. Murphy, published April 2, 2012.