Kettlebells

After drilling good mechanics and a strong hip drive, it’s time to go overhead, says kettlebell guru Jeff Martone at this CrossFit Kettlebell Trainer Course at Progressive F.O.R.C.E. CrossFit in Las Vegas.

It’s called the American swing and should be introduced after the Russian swing and the power swing, he says.

“It should float up,” Martone explains. “I’m actually using my lats to stop it overhead.”

If the hips are not generating… Continue Reading

The kettlebell snatch is the summary of all the skills learned in the CrossFit Kettlebell Trainer Course. At this seminar at Progressive F.O.R.C.E. CrossFit in Las Vegas, kettlebell guru Jeff Martone teaches it from the top down.

If you’ve already mastered the swing, the mechanics for the snatch are already in place, he explains. Martone starts with cleaning the bell and pressing it overhead. He notes the importance… Continue Reading

In the third part of the Turkish get-up series, kettlebell guru Jeff Martone talks about the advantages between the overhead-squat style and the traditional method.

Most often, it’s women who ask Martone if it’s OK to use the overhead-squat style.

“Yes, you can because you got crazy girl flexibility,” he says with a laugh. “That is a legit way to get up. For the vast majority of your audiences, they’re… Continue Reading

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… Continue Reading

Using a different implement to practice cleans opens the door to other movements. With the kettlebell, this means the dead clean, the kettlebell clean and the two-armed clean.

The positions, Jeff Martone says during this Kettlebell Trainer Course, are the same as they would be with the barbell, and full extension is key to both the barbell and kettlebell lifts.

To fix errors, multiple drills can be used, including standing inches from the wall… Continue Reading

In the second part of the Turkish get-up series, kettlebell guru Jeff Martone outlines the three steps of the movement.

First there’s sitting up, then the transition to the knee and, finally, standing up.

While lying on the floor, your chest must be open. Then, ensure your knuckles remain in the same spot in space. Next, press, drive off the heel and keep coming up to a sitting position. This position, Martone cautions… Continue Reading

In the first part of this Turkish get-up series, kettlebell guru Jeff Martone breaks down the armbar stretch.

“The armbar stretch is probably one of the best shoulder-rehab exercises you can do,” he says.

It builds strength, flexibility and stability in the shoulder girdle, Martone adds.

The stretch starts on the floor with a one-armed press to straighten out the arm. Then the heel on the same side comes into and… Continue Reading

For kettlebell guru Jeff Martone, the teaching progression goes like this: Russian swing, power swing, American swing.

“Russian swing I like teaching first ’cause it helps people with the mechanics. Once you get your mechanics squared away there, then you can move up,” Martone says at this CrossFit Kettlebell Trainer Course at Progressive F.O.R.C.E. CrossFit in Las Vegas.

He continues: “The power swing is gonna generate a little more… Continue Reading