Kettlebell Competition Rules

Kettlebells are cast iron weights of varying heft, used in gyms and homes to tone and build muscle. Kettlebells look like something like a very round tea kettle with a thick handle, and come in different sizes and weights. The rules for how to run a kettlebell lifting competition are well established so that there is consistency across the nation, so that competitors can meet fairly and strive to excel.

  1. Competitors and Lifts

    • Kettlebell competition events can be individual, team, or combined meets. All competitors do the same movements:, the "jerk" and the "snatch." Men perform the "jerk" maneuver followed by the "snatch" in competition. Women perform the opposite, completing the "snatch" and then the "jerk." Competitions must include a 30-minute rest period between the two lift events. The age classes are designed so that those ages 14-18 compete in the "youth" bracket, competitors who are 18 or over are in the "open" division, and those over 40-years-old compete in the "masters".

    Equipment and Clothing

    • Proper clothing and regulation equipment is important to ensure fairness in the competition. Competitors wear shorts and a t-shirt and athletic shoes. Proper underwear or briefs must be worn underneath the shorts. Weightlifting belts can be no more than 4 inches wide. A belt worn by a competitor cannot be cushioned, padded, or wrapped in any way that provide extra support to the lifter.Wrist and knee braces are allowed. The weight of the kettlebells may deviate somewhat, but they must be within .5 kgs of the weight marked. The handle of the kettlebell must be at least 1.38 inches in diameter and 4.33 inches in circumference. Lifters chalk (magnesia) is permitted to prepare the kettlebells for lifting.

    During the Lift

    • While performing their lifts, competitors must follow certain guidelines of behavior and preparation. Competitors are called to the performance platform two minutes before their attempt begins. A ten second countdown followed by the "start" command signals the lifter to begin. Each competitor has ten minutes to perform each lift as many times as possible. Each minute is announced by the referee-secretary, along with the final 50, 30, and five seconds. After the "stop" command is announced the competitor has to end their attempt, and no more repetitions will count. During the attempt a referee on the competition platform announces each legally performed repetition as it happens. If an attempt is not deemed legal, the referee will omit it and continue counting off successful attempts.