Grading Syllabus

At KBC we believe goals are important. We set up a grading system to give members targets to aim for and to push them to continually improve their fitness. 


Its pretty simple - pass all three elements of your grading with the required weight kettlebell and you receive a black or white t-shirt with one of our four designs on. On the sleeves you have a kettlebell and/or Tabs to signify the level you have achieved. 
The reps you have to complete are based around your body weight so the more you weight the more reps you have to do. If a lot of your weight is fat then its a double incentive to lose it, if its muscle then it shouldn't be a problem - simple!


Want a heavier bell on your sleeve? all you need to do is turn up to classes regularly, work hard and believe in yourself and it will happen!

Mens Long Cycle

Body Weight kg 
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100+
32kg - Red Shirt
34
47
53
61
66
68
70
71
73
32kg - 2 Tabs
29
42
48
56
61
63
65
66
68
32kg - 1 Tab
24
37
43
51
56
58
60
61
63
28kg - Orange Shirt
34
47
53
61
66
68
70
71
73
28kg - 2 Tabs
29
42
48
56
61
63
65
66
68
28kg - 1 Tab
24
37
43
51
56
58
60
61
63
24kg - Green Shirt
34
47
53
61
66
68
70
71
73
24kg - 2 Tabs
29
42
48
56
61
63
65
66
68
24kg - 1 Tab
24
37
43
51
56
58
60
61
63
20kg - Grey Shirt
34
47
53
61
66
68
70
71
73
20kg - 2 Tabs
29
42
48
56
61
63
65
66
68
20kg - 1 Tab
24
37
43
51
56
58
60
61
63
16kg - Yellow Shirt
34
47
53
61
66
68
70
71
73
16kg - Two Tabs
29
42
48
56
61
63
65
66
68
16kg - 1 Tab
24
37
43
51
56
58
60
61
63
12kg - Blue Shirt
34
47
53
61
66
68
70
71
73
12kg - Two Tabs
29
42
48
56
61
63
65
66
68
12kg - 1 Tab
24
37
43
51
56
58
60
61
63





















Women's Long Cycle

Body Weight kg 
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85+
20kg - Grey Shirt
63
71
79
87
95
103
110
118
126
20kg - 2 Tabs
33
41
49
57
65
76
80
88
96
20kg - 1 Tab
23
31
39
47
55
66
70
78
86
16kg - Yellow Shirt
63
71
79
87
95
103
110
118
126
16kg - 2 Tabs
33
41
49
57
65
76
80
88
96
16kg - 1 Tab
23
31
39
47
55
66
70
78
86
12kg - Blue Shirt
83
91
99
107
115
123
131
138
146
12kg - 2 Tabs
58
66
74
82
90
98
106
113
121
12kg - 1 Tab
33
41
49
57
65
73
81
88
96
10kg - White Shirt
83
91
99
107
115
123
131
138
146
10kg - 2 Tabs
58
66
74
82
90
98
106
113
121
10kg - 1 Tab
33
41
49
57
65
73
81
88
96
8kg - Pink Shirt
83
91
99
107
115
123
131
138
146
8kg - Two Tabs
58
66
74
82
90
98
106
113
121
8kg - 1 Tab
33
41
49
57
65
73
81
88
96
6kg - Purple Shirt
83
91
99
107
115
123
131
138
146
6kg - Two Tabs
58
66
74
82
90
98
106
113
121
6kg - 1 Tab
33
41
49
57
65
73
81
88
96



Men's Snatch


Body Weight kg 
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100+
32kg - Red Shirt
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
32kg - 2 Tabs
30
35
40
50
55
60
65
70
75
32kg - 1 Tab
20
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
28kg - Orange Shirt
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
28kg - 2 Tabs
30
35
40
50
55
60
65
70
75
28kg - 1 Tab
20
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
24kg - Green Shirt
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
24kg - 2 Tabs
30
35
40
50
55
60
65
70
75
24kg - 1 Tab
20
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
20kg - Grey Shirt
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
20kg - 2 Tabs
30
35
40
50
55
60
65
70
75
20kg - 1 Tab
20
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
16kg - Yellow Shirt
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
16kg - Two Tabs
30
35
40
50
55
60
65
70
75
16kg - 1 Tab
20
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
12kg - Blue Shirt
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
12kg - Two Tabs
30
35
40
50
55
60
65
70
75
12kg - 1 Tab
20
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70


Women's Snatch



Body Weight kg 
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85+
20kg - Grey Shirt
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
20kg - 2 Tabs
25
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
20kg - 1 Tab
15
20
25
35
45
50
55
60
65
16kg - Yellow Shirt
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
16kg - 2 Tabs
25
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
16kg - 1 Tab
15
20
25
35
45
50
55
60
65
12kg - Blue Shirt
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
12kg - 2 Tabs
25
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
12kg - 1 Tab
15
20
25
35
45
50
55
60
65
10kg - White Shirt
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
10kg - 2 Tabs
25
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
10kg - 1 Tab
15
20
25
35
45
50
55
60
65
8kg - Pink Shirt
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
8kg - Two Tabs
25
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
8kg - 1 Tab
15
20
25
35
45
50
55
60
65
6kg - Purple Shirt
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
6kg - Two Tabs
25
30
35
45
50
55
60
65
70
6kg - 1 Tab
15
20
25
35
45
50
55
60
65


There are three elements to each grading -

1. Two Handed Swing
2. Long Cycle
3. Snatch

The Two Handed Swing

  • To Achieve a grading 'Pass' the student must first carry out continuous two handed swings for either 4,5 or 6 minutes with the chosen kettlebell weight and relevant to the grade they are trying to achieve i.e. 1 Tab = 4 minutes of swings, 2 Tabs 5 minutes of swings and Colour Shirt 6 Minutes of Swings. 
  • The Swings must be carried out uninterrupted and without setting the bell down. 
  • The arms and bell must be horizontal at the top of the swing and the bell must be visible behind the legs at the bottom of the swing to achieve correct form. 
  • The student will be given two warnings of bad form and if it is not corrected then 'stop' will be given and the grading will not be allowed to continue.
  • There is no requirement to achieve a certain number of swings as this will differ from person to person depending on their biomechanics, however, everyone still needs to be swinging constantly during the given time period.


Long Cycle

  • To Achieve a grading pass in the Long Cycle the student must achieve the required number of clean and jerks relevant to the grade they are trying to achieve (see tables above) within 10 minutes. 
  • The bell(s) must swing between the legs and be visible behind the legs. 
  • The bell(s) must be cleaned to rack position (Chest height) and then jerked above the head with a double knee dip. The knees, hips, elbows and shoulders must all be straight with the bells locked out overhead for a repetition to be counted.
  • If at any stage the bell(s) touch the floor, or are rested anywhere other than in rack or overhead then the set is terminated and a score is given up to that point.
  • Men use two kettlebells and women use two kettlebells up to the 8kg grading and from then on 1 kettlebell.
  • When women are using 1 bell only one hand change is allowed during their 10 minute set.

Snatch

  • Both Men and Women compete with 1 bell.
  • To achieve a grading 'Pass' the student must achieve the required number of snatches within a 10 minute time period (see tables above)
  • When the timer has started the kettlebell is not allowed to be put down and is only allowed to be rested overhead. If the kettlebell touches the floor during the set or is rested anywhere other than overhead then the set is terminated at that point.
  • Only 1 hand change is allowed during the time period.
  • The number on the table relates to the required number of Snatches per hand. This will be calculated by adding the total number of snatches completed on the left and right hand and decided by two.

The Student can only receive their Tabs or Shirt when all three elements of the grading have been completed successfully, however, this does not have to be achieved all in one session.


Note

Cost - Students pay £20 for their grading which covers the cost of their t-shirt if they pass the top level. If the student achieves a tab grading pass then they will get £12 back as they have not incurred the cost of a t-shirt

 No Student of Kettlebell Club will be forced to take a grading, however it will be encouraged as this will give them continuing goals and provide a guide as to how their fitness has improved.

 If a Student feel they can achieve a higher levels than the starting level then they must prove this first by passing at least the top level of grading at each kettlebell weight ie to take your grading for level 3 24kg kettlebell you must pass level 3 12kg grading, Level 3 16kg grading, Level 3 20kg grading first. Members will still receive a t-shirt signifying their achievement at each level.

It is at the discretion of Will and Annie as to whether they feel a student is ready to grade. Although perfect form is not expected, a general understanding of the movements and basic ability to carry them out is required. A student will progress far more rapidly with lack of strength and good technique than they will with good strength and poor technique.

Initially progress through the grades may be quick for some students, however this may slow as higher kettlebell weights are reached and a requirement to dedicate more time to the specific movements may be required to achieve goals.

Kettlebell Sport is growing fast in Great Britain and taking gradings is a great way to gain experience and see what level you are at before taking part in an official competition.