Kettlebell Instructor Qualification Course

Awarded by : Function & Fitness Ireland (FFI)

This 2 day strength & conditioning kettlebell course is designed to show Fitness Professionals how to teach hardstyle kettlebell techniques to the general public in a safe and effective manner. This course will focus on how to teach, rather than just being able to do it. This course promotes hardstyle kettlebell techniques as taught to Shane by Pavel Tsatsouline and the RKC tutors. Hardstyle techniques focus on high tension, strength, power production, mobility, stability and relaxation. FFI's methods also focus on corrective exercise and quality of movement. Upon completion of the course, successful candidates will become members of the strength and conditioning association of Ireland (SCAI) Being a member of the SCAI will bring exclusive yearly training advice and members will be listed on the SCAI website.

The course will be taught by tutors Shane Nicoletti and Fiona Byrne.

Course suitability

This course is suitable for:

  • Personal Trainers
  • Strength and Conditioning Coaches
  • Athletic trainers
  • Pilates/yoga teachers
  • Fitness professionals
  • GAA, Soccer, Rugby or other sports coaches
  • Physical Education teachers
  • Non Fitness Professionals / Teachers (See below in Requirements)

The following is what the course will offer you:

  • A 72 page full colour book of the movements covered and more
  • The history of the kettlebell and why use it?
  • The benefits of kettlebell movements
  • Safety in using kettlebells
  • Suitability in using kettlebells and contra-indications
  • Theory and practical sessions
  • Effective teaching skills
  • Verbal and visual demonstrations
  • 10 Kettlebell movements and variations
  • Correct posture and body alignment details
  • Correct technical guidelines for teaching the kettlebell movements
  • How to spot and fix poor techniques
  • Safe and effective progressions and modifications
  • Kinetic closed chain movements
  • Speed eccentrics and types of contractions
  • Dynamic Range of Movement warm ups
  • Body weight, strength and mobility drills
  • Postural assessment skills
  • The importance of Dynamic stabilization in movement
  • Demonstrations and feedback of all the movements
  • Programme design, how to put together a kettlebell class
  • Indoor and outdoor class requirements
  • Sample workout programmes
  • How to prepare for examination

Kettlebell movements covered:

  • The two handed swing
  • The one handed swing
  • The Dead lift, Clean and Hang Clean
  • The Front Squat Racked
  • The Front Squat by the horns
  • The Military Press
  • The Push Press
  • The High Pull
  • The Snatch,
  • The Turkish Get Up

There will be a full break down of every movement with muscular and joint analysis.

The Venue

Camden court hotel, camden street, Dublin 2.

Date :  Saturday 31st & Sunday 1st April 2012

Time : 9am - 5pm both days

Course fees

Price : €100 non-refundable / non- transferable deposit to book your place, the remaining €225 to be paid on the first day of the course. We have no credit card facility at the venue.

The venue for each course and Snatch exam will differ. There will be indoor and outdoor sections, weather permitting.

Requirements for certification

Participants must hold valid teaching credentials recognised by FFI, eg: NCEF, ITEC, NQEHS and equivalent, be free from injury and be suitable for vigorous testing. The Snatch exam day will be separate from the 2 day course.

There will be a written exam for enthusiasts and people with an unrecognised qualification. The exam will cover Anatomy & Physiology, Principles of fitness and ethics in health/fitness. This exam can be taken on the day of the snatch exam or when ready. There will be online help and support to prepare for the written exam. You will be expected to study and research at home. Here A & P book is a recommended book for study purposes.

People with a recognised teaching qualification can participate without sitting the A & P written exam.

Participants will be required to wear suitable clothing and footwear. Combat style trousers or tracksuit and t-shirt. Flat soled runners, eg. Converse or similar. Cross Trainers will not be allowed. Bring a few changes of clothing and drinking water. 

On the second day of the course, participants will be tested in the following techniques and instructional skills:

  • The two handed Swing
  • The High pull
  • The Dead Clean
  • The Front Squat
  • The Press
  • The Turkish Get Up
  • The Snatch

Case study Portfolio : Participants will complete 4 separate case studies. Each case study should consist of 6 x sessions, over a 6 week period. All sessions to be documented and to include a Par Q for each client. The Case Study portfolio must be handed in on the same day as your Snatch exam.

The Snatch exam: Participants will be required to Snatch the kettlebell 80 times in 4 minutes (see below),

Men 20kg

Women 12kg

The date and venue of this Snatch exam will be decided by the organisers for a date to suit both parties and must be achieved within 1 year of their course. Participants who do not achieve the standard for the Snatch exam on their first attempt, can re-test up to two more times within 1 year of their course. There will be a €50.00 repeat fee for additional Snatch exams.  Students who don't complete all exams and requirements within 1 year of their course must attend the full course again, if they want to receive a qualification.  These students will have to pay the full amount for the course again. Course fees are subject to change.

About the Snatch exam:

Participants, when instructed will begin to snatch the kettlebell.

The kettlebell will not be pressed to lockout. The kettlebell will not touch anything or any other body part during each repetition. Each full repetition will be counted. Students must hold the kettlebell in lockout and wait for the the examiners count before attempting another rep. Swings in between are permitted but not included in the count. You may rest between reps and change hands as often as you like. If the kettlebell slips or is dropped by the lifter, the test will finish with a zero count. You may not rack the kettlebell when coming down from the overhead lockout position. The total number of both hands will be added at the end of the 4 minutes. 80 Snatches must be achieved.

The above details are subject to change.

Terms and conditions

A €100 deposit must be paid through the web site to secure your place on the course.

This deposit is non-refundable / non- transferable if you can’t attend the course due to any reason.

The remaining fee’s must be paid by cash or cheque by the first day of the course. If the remaining fee’s are not paid by the first day of the course, organisers will not allow you to attend the course, with loss of deposit.

All attendees must be injury free and suitable to workout on the weekend of the course.

All attendees must be injury free and suitable to workout on examination day.

All attendees must wear the recommended, suitable clothing and footwear at both the course and the Snatch Exam.

As venues will change it is the responsibility of the attendees to organize their own meals/drinks for the duration of the course.

Attendees must attend both days.

Candidates will not receive their certificates until all exams are passed, criteria met and fees paid.

All exam requirements should be completed within 1 year maximum of your course start date. There will be an exam fee  of €100 for students who don't meet the 1 year requirement and a possible repeat instruction exam with the snatch exam.

All candidates must complete a PAR Q prior to the course.

FFI reserve the right to refuse admission to individuals on their courses