Thursday, March 29, 2007

Pavel's tip of the week on swing technique.

this is a must read.

More power to your kettlebell swing!
If you ask a top kettlebell instructor like Com. Brett Jones, Senior RKC to swing a light kettlebell -say an 18-pounder -he will swing it with the same crispness and power as he would a pair of 88s. Why doesn’t the kettlebell fly away? Why doesn’t the instructor get airborne?
When a person inexperienced in fighting throws a punch, his opponent gets pushed but does not get hurt. On the other hand, a person hit by a boxer will collapse on the same spot where he has been standing. The boxer knows how to direct his energy internally instead of wasting it internally. So does an RKC.
When you swing your kettlebell, don’t aim for height. Focus on digging your feet into the ground –“rooting” –and direct your force inside the kettlebell, as if you are trying to drop it with a single punch. You will build more power and get a more intense conditioning workout.
Russian kettlebell power to you!
To learn more about Kettlebells and Pavel’s Kettlebell programs click here

4 comments:

Brett Jones said...

Rif and Geoff,
This is what I was referring to in reference to the "overhead" swing. What a coincidence...

Mark Reifkind said...

I know Brett thats why I linked it :))

But you can still maintain the root even as the bell turns upward in the arc.

Brett Jones said...

Great minds you know...
I agree you can maintain the root as the bell goes above but can you maintain the projection?

Mark Reifkind said...

I think yes. its just a different point on the curve, with different forces. to me its just like swinging on a hi bar if you keep going higher and higher at some point you turn over.
I'm not sure that projecting the force of the swing only out and not out then up is the best way to 'tame the arc'.
different heights for different purposes.

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