RKC UK Kettlebell Fundamentals Workshop

Learn How To:

• Build the right bodyweight prerequisites
Get your body structure and mechanics right before adding load.

• Master essential kettlebell skills
Move safely, efficiently, and powerfully with heavy kettlebells.

• Program kettlebell training effectively
So the work you do actually delivers the results you want.

By now we can agree that Kettlebell training has long been a stalwart in fitness, whether you’re aware of its ancient origins, early 2000s renaissance and cult following, or the kettlebell popularity boom of more recent years.

One of the most compelling appeals of kettlebell training is the combination of minimalism (it’s frequently referred to as a “handheld gym”), with the unrivalled power, metabolic, resilience, and mobility gains that come from kettlebell training alone.

For better or worse, kettlebells have found their way into most fitness spaces. What’s missing from the modern kettlebell training picture, however, is education. Most people are copying what they’ve seen in a video, or what they’ve seen someone else do in a gym without having it broken down and explained to them. That’s not the way to learn how to use a kettlebell; it’s like learning to swim by watching someone swim. You need to know how a kettlebell moves through space and pulls on your body, and how to manage that movement and loading safely and effectively so that it makes you stronger and fitter.

Without this knowledge, we’ve watched kettlebell training become misunderstood, under-loaded, over-complicated and diluted so much over the past few years that at best we see barely any physical changes, at worst we see injury.

You can escape those pitfalls and drastically change your approach to fitness at the same time – whilst supercharging the results you get from it.

Created with everything from beginners to athletes and trainers in mind, RKC UK’s Kettlebell Fundamentals workshops combine back-to-basics bodyweight prerequisites with kettlebell-specific understanding of how your body tolerates, projects and absorbs load. We’ll show you how strength and skill work hand-in-glove (NB. Don’t wear gloves to lift weights), giving your body the fastest pathway to building the muscle, mobility and stamina you deserve from the effort you put in.

The best athletes in the world know that mastery of the basics is key to success, and kettlebell training is no exception. Whatever level of kettlebell experience you have, we guarantee you will take something from this workshop. RKC UK Team Leaders are the most experienced kettlebell teachers in the country, able to tailor instruction accurately within group environments of mixed ability. We will be guiding you hands-on with high-level coaching, information unique to each workshop AND full take-home resources in how to make progress with what you’ve learned.

The RKC Kettlebell Fundamentals workshop simplifies the complexities that underpin the most well-rounded, versatile and effective training methodology in the world, releasing you back into the gym with the knowledge - and a plan - to get what you need out of kettlebell training.

The curriculum is fully updated for 2026 with the following content:

• Bodyweight Essentials In this basic first stage of the workshop, we take you through bodyweight positions and how to hold them strongly enough to absorb and project a moving kettlebell. Be warned: side-effects include major upgrades in your ability to Push-Up, Pull-Up and hold a deep bodyweight Squat. Even if you leave after the first section, you’ve got your money’s worth!

• The Swing 99% of most people’s fitness goals could be found most directly through learning to Swing properly, heavily enough and regularly enough. This stage of the workshop is worth its weight in gold and we will spend a lot of time getting you Swinging safely and solidly with a range of kettlebell weights. This section of the workshop also introduces the accessory movements you need for a fully developed Swing pattern that you can load heavily and do daily.

• Clean and Press The amount of strength, structural control, mobility and muscular resources your body needs to gather to be able to take a weight from the floor and lift it high over your head in one arm are exceptional. This lift both requires AND builds those resources whilst giving your body the functional strength that comes from unilateral lifts. We teach this as one movement, yet you will be learning power and coordination in the Clean, and full body compound strength in the Press, which can be used as two separate movements. Having a strong Press is part of the tapestry of kettlebell training, not least because it allows the shoulder and core strength to be able to move under a load. Which leads us into our next movement.

• Get-Up Known as the Turkish Get-Up (TGU) this movement is the ultimate time-machine for your body. With advantages coming at lighter weight ranges than other Kettlebell lifts, this movement is an invaluable tool to have in your training whatever your level. We teach the movement first, loading it with a Kettlebell in stages to allow for gradual exposure to the weight and to highlight the wide variety of training options that stem from the Get-Up. Loaded overhead, this movement strengthens your overhead position, improving your Press strength and creating the necessary shoulder stability for the next movement in the curriculum.

• Snatch The reputation of the Kettlebell Snatch precedes it, and this lift can be the most difficult to master. Combining the highest level of force you can create with a tightly coordinated level of control and relaxation, PLUS the overhead stability needed to land a moving load safely overhead, the Snatch is the Wild Child of the kettlebell fundamentals. We teach this lift based on your ability to Single Arm Swing and Clean and Press to a level we deem safe. During the workshop, you’ll be selected to have the option to train in a breakout “Snatch” group, or to take part in “Open Practice”, with a Team Leader to hone your Swings, Clean & Presses and Get-Ups.

• Programming This is the section of the workshop where we give you the blueprint for “what do I do next?”. Knowing how to do a movement is one thing, but results are limited without knowing when, how many and how often. You’ll be provided with take-home resources covering the training structures for reaching different outcomes from kettlebell training. Even better, you’ll be introduced to our app-based training programme which shows you this information in action and lets you practice what a real kettlebell training programme looks like.

(See schedule below for teaching structure and breaks)

Testimonials:

“This was, honestly, some of the better training of any sort that I’ve ever received. The quality of delivery and coaching was very high. I not only got some ‘quick fix’ stuff that massively improved my TGU, but also some very nuanced insights into tension, movement and arousal that cut across all of my work with kettlebells (and probably wider).
Wonderful to just work hard, learn lots, and be part of what is obviously an incredibly positive and inclusive community at their gym” Mark

"I thought I knew how to use kettlebells until I attended this course. I left with unmatched education and skills that I can now put to use across all of my training not just kettlebells. Since attending the workshop, I achieved an RKC certification as well as unimaginable gains and strength. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND" Dina

“Great knowledge and support. Very well executed, well-detailed and great team work. You won’t regret it!” Saba

“I gained an appreciation for the intricate elements that make up each movement, coupled with the ability to train/practice them to build progress. Don’t hesitate to sign up” Andy

"Absolutely loved the Fundamentals workshop.
I've always enjoyed training with kettlebells but this gave me a massive insight into how amazing they are as tools for fitness.
I've implemented the knowledge I learned from that weekend into my everyday client training programmes and it has enabled me to become a unique trainer in my area.
I've since gone on to achieve RKC qualification...big things from the Fundamentals workshop!" Joolz

“The fundamentals was fab, after training with kettlebells for the past few years it really helped cement my knowledge and also build my confidence for working towards my RKC cert. I came hope recharge and full of excitement and knowledge that i was able to pass on to my clients. One of the best weekends for me of 2022. Highly recommended!” Toni-Ann

‘"I went along last year for my own personal development and got loads from RKC Fundamentals. Highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about kettlebells. Craig and Shell are great instructors" Sean

“A great course well worth the money, delivered by down to earth coaches in a great gym. The units covered give you a great starting point to build a solid kettlebell routine" Tim

"Really enjoyed & took a lot from today - nice atmosphere, loads of tips & cues & excellent instruction - thanks" anon

"The instructors were very friendly and welcoming. I really enjoyed today. Also I realised I feel more confident to go away and progress on each movement. Each movement was explained and demonstrated very well, in a way I could understand" Aysha

"Really enjoyable and worthwhile...very approachable and knowledgeable; great instructors" anon

"Really enjoyed it, looking forward to processing different takeaways as it is a lot of such valuable information. Thanks guys for a great day!" Brendan

Following discussions on social media with a representative from one of the UK's leading fitness industry training providers, we invited him to observe and give feedback on our workshop and this is what he had to say:

"Solid details and teaching points. Good step-by-step drills to build skills. Very supportive and open to questions. Everyone [of the instructors] was great and conducted themselves with the highest possible standards. All are a credit to RKC UK. This course shows what proper kettlebell training looks like." Ross Mitchell

FAQs:
Where is it?
Kettlebell HQ, Westwood House, Westwood Road, Earlsdon, Coventry CV5 6GF

What's the date and times?
Saturday 21^st March 10am-4pm

Sunday 22^nd March 9am-3pm

What is the difference between RKC UK Kettlebell Fundamentals and RKC Instructor Certification?
RKC Kettlebell Fundamentals is a “user” workshops, based on teaching individuals from the ground-up RKC-based methodology in using kettlebells. It’s an ideal segue into RKC Instructor Certification, but is separate from it. RKC Instructor Certification is internationally recognised as the original, gold standard in Instructor training. Simply put, if you want to be able to teach people how to use kettlebells, you need to be an RKC Instructor. Many previous Kettlebell Fundamentals participants have gone on to qualify as RKC Instructors, both for professional or personal achievement – it’s one of the hardest certifications to pass with 30% failure rate (although we have a 100% pass rate for everyone who attends the Kettlebell Fundamentals weekend and then goes on to certify as an RKC instructor).

Who are the instructors?
Craig and Shell are Senior RKC Instructors, RKC UK Team Leaders and the founders and co-owners of Kettlebell HQ in Coventry, multi-disciplined strength and performance coaches and group training leaders. They hold themselves to extremely high teaching standards, passing that integrity and quality on to you.

Depending on numbers, we will bring in one of our most experienced RKC Instructors to assist us, to ensure a good instructor-student ratio.

What do I need to bring?

• RKC UK provides a hot drinks area, water and some snacks. Please bring your own drinks bottle, additional snacks and lunch (there are shops nearby).
• Appropriate footwear; no running trainers, no cushioned trainers, only barefoot technology shoes like Vibrams or similar or just socks/barefeet, Converse/Vans are the most “sporty” shoes we allow. Ugg-style boots also allowed as long as they have a flat sole. We'll explain why during the workshop.
• Layers in case it cools down.

You'll be provided with a manual, notebook and pen and encouraged to make your own notes to aid your learning.


Ticket Pricing
£249 until 7^th March 2026

£269 late booking 8^th-15^th March

Bookings are closed from 16^th March

Cancellation policy: full refunds until 7^th March. 8^th March onwards; 50% refund and automatic booking onto next workshop.

We only have 15 spaces available, so if you want to come, get moving quickly. 

Following your booking, we'll keep in touch with you via email as we get closer to the workshop. In the meantime, you can email us at rkcintheuk@gmail.com and ask any further questions.

RKC UK is a community of great kettlebell athletes of all levels across the country – will you join us?

RKC UK
Craig and Shell Gilkes

Weekend Schedule:

Saturday 10am-4pm

Introductions and warm-up

Bodyweight

Swings

Lunch break

Clean and Press

Guided Practice

Saturday 6pm

Evening social (optional but encouraged!)

Sunday 9-3

Guided wake-up stretch and workout

Coffee and programming Q&A

TGU

Lunch break

Snatch/Open Practice

Weekend Recap + Guided Practice