RKC-D and RKC-C Kettlebell Instructor Certification Weekend

RKC-D + RKC-C KETTLEBELL INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

How do you communicate and teach what is "simple, but not easy"?

Kettlebell training looks simple at first glance, but the correct execution is anything but straightforward – and teaching it to another person requires a new dimension and depth of understanding. Trainees without skill quickly hit their limits using a kettlebell. At the same time, group classes in a mainstream gym setting are required to cater to everyone – from beginners to experienced athletes – even though neither the levelling of technical knowledge nor group progression is possible.

This is where RKC-D comes in. It is the foundation of your kettlebell knowledge and equips you to safely and effectively achieve an effective and safe, low-skill workout with groups of this kind, introducing them to the kettlebell.

Even if your work does not typically confront you with the drop-in population, being able to use kettlebells effectively at this level – without resorting to using the kettlebell as a dumbbell replacement but also without the need for the coordination and timing of kettlebell swings - is the mark of a great kettlebell instructor.

It's very easy to physically and mentally overwhelm someone with hardstyle kettlebell training. Pitching it just right for a group of varyingly coordinated and committed members of the public is the difference between "kettlebells hurt my back" and growing a community of kettlebell enthusiasts! 

Knowing how to progress someone beyond the basics is just as important as knowing how to get them started. People today need as much effective and enjoyable fitness instruction as possible.

You already know how much kettlebell training delivers this; now to spread the word at grassroots level!

The RKC-C takes this further, developing your ability to teach, assess and improve the fundamental kettlebell skills themselves to an individual or small, focused group. It is within the RKC-C that you get to start getting much more detailed with your teaching; teaching the movements from the ground-up, suited to the starting point of the person in front of you and ensuring their progress. 

The RKC-D + RKC-C together gives you the tools to deliver effective and safe kettlebell workouts for groups, while developing the coaching skills to teach the Swing and Turkish get-up to a high standard.

The RKC-D demographic – What Sets It Apart

• Fun and action are the focus: Your clients want to exert themselves, feel success, and stay active – detailed technical training is not their top priority.
• Regularly changing participants: You cannot rely on your groups to remain stable or work on progression in the long term.
• Clear and safe instructions: Your clients depend on you to adapt exercises flexibly to guide them safely and effectively – regardless of their fitness level.

The RKC-C demographic – What Sets It Apart

• People ready to develop their skills: Your clients have moved beyond simply wanting a workout. They're interested in learning proper kettlebell technique and improving how they move.
• Different starting points: Some may already have experience with swings and Turkish Get-Ups; others may be learning these movements for the first time. You need to understand how to meet them where they are.
• Coaching for progression: Your role is to identify what needs work, give clear and useful feedback, and help people build strength, confidence and technical ability without rushing the process.

Competence Profile – What You Can Do After the Training

The RKC-D + RKC-C certification makes you the key figure who finally brings kettlebells into the spotlight. When you are certified, you will be able to offer safe and effective kettlebell training for fitness groups, as well as coach individuals in foundational hardstyle kettlebell techniques. You will have the knowledge and plans to progress your classes and clients in kettlebell skill, strength and fitness!

This means:

• Adaptability: You recognise early when and how to adjust exercises for different fitness levels.
• Motivation instead of frustration: You create a positive and energetic workout experience, even for groups with mixed abilities.
• Maximum safety: You guide your participants safely and recognise when someone needs support – even when they cannot assess their own limits.
• Better coaching: You can assess movement, identify what needs attention and give people the right tools to improve their technique.
• Progression: You understand how to take someone from the fundamentals towards more demanding kettlebell skills, without skipping the important steps.

With the RKC-D + RKC-C, you show mainstream fitness how kettlebells can revolutionise training.

Get the kettlebells out of the corner – and take your coaching to a new level!

RKC-D In Focus:

Movements

You will learn the technically correct execution of the most important kettlebell exercises that can be safely and effectively used in an open class. These include:

• Deadlift
• Cheat Clean
• Loaded Carries (such as Farmer Walk, Rack Walk, Overhead Walk)
• Push Exercises (e.g., Presses)
• Rows
• Squats
• Lunges

The training also includes preparatory exercises and variations to adapt the techniques to different fitness levels.

Positions: The Key to Good Technique

An exercise execution is only as good as the starting position. In the workshop, you will learn the most important positions:

• Farmer Position (for a secure stance and stability)
• Rack Position (for push and pull exercises)
• Overhead Position (for mobility and stability overhead)
• Goblet Position (for squats and hold exercises)

Specialties of the RKC-D concept

The focus here is on kettlebell workouts that do not require much theory and long explanations. You will learn:

• How to build kettlebell classes that are self-contained and do not require continuous group progression.
• Which exercises and concepts are suitable for open fitness groups – and which are not.
• How to keep your coaching cues brief, precise, and understandable.

Good coaching isn't about showing everyone how clever you are. It's about getting them results.

Trainer Knowledge: Safety and Individualization

Your participants should train safely and efficiently. Therefore, safety rules and individual adjustments are the focus. You will learn:

• The most important safety rules for kettlebell training (e.g., controlled movements, criteria for stopping).
• How to identify weaknesses in your participants and adjust exercises progressively or regressively.
• How to recognise when a participant is ready to progress, and when they need more time with the fundamentals.

Program Design for Kettlebell Groups

A good training session needs structure. In the workshop, you will receive tools to create effective kettlebell workouts for groups:

• Movement Matrix: A simple method to ensure that all important movement patterns (Push, Pull, Hinge, Squat, Loaded Carry) are covered.
• Programming Template: You will learn how to plan a balanced kettlebell workout that is both effective and varied.
• Practical Practice: You will create your own workout and lead it for the group – with immediately applicable feedback from the workshop leader.

RKC-C In Focus:

Developing Your Kettlebell Coaching Skills

The RKC-C builds on the foundation of the D certification. The focus moves from delivering effective group workouts to teaching and improving two of the most important hardstyle kettlebell skills: the Swing and the Turkish Get-Up.

You will learn how to break these movements down, teach them progressively and recognise what needs to change when someone isn't quite getting it.

The Kettlebell Swing

The Swing is a fundamental hardstyle kettlebell movement. Getting it right requires more than simply moving the bell backwards and forwards. You will develop your understanding of:

• The hip hinge and the foundations of an efficient Swing.
• Generating power through the hips rather than lifting with the arms.
• Timing, tension, breathing and control.
• Progressions towards the one-handed swing and its variations.
• Identifying common technical errors and knowing how to correct them.

The Turkish Get-Up

The Turkish Get-Up is a more complex movement, requiring strength, stability, mobility and coordination. You'll learn how to teach it in manageable stages, rather than expecting someone to figure out the whole thing at once.

You'll cover:

• The individual positions and transitions that make up the get-up.
• How to build stability and control throughout the movement.
• The mobility and strength requirements for each stage.
• How to assess someone's movement and identify where they need help.
• How to use appropriate progressions and variations to develop a confident, controlled get-up.

Coaching, Assessment and Progression

Knowing what a good swing or get-up looks like is one thing. Being able to help someone achieve it is another.

The RKC-C develops your ability to:

• Assess movement and identify technical limitations.
• Use clear coaching cues and appropriate feedback.
• Choose the right progression or regression for the person in front of you.
• Develop strength and mobility to support better movement.
• Help clients build confidence and improve over time.

Programming for Progress

The RKC-C also takes you beyond the individual session. You'll learn how to put together purposeful training programmes, using programming templates and different training structures to create progression.

This includes:

• Programming templates that can be adapted to your clients.
• Sets, repetitions, ladders and timed training structures.
• How to balance skill development, strength and conditioning.
• How to plan training that builds towards specific goals.

You'll also learn how to structure kettlebell courses and workshops, giving you a framework to develop your own teaching opportunities – and be provided with those opportunities through the RKC!

The RKC-D and RKC-C Certification

The RKC-D + RKC-C is a two-day certification, with the D taking place on the first day and the C on the second.

There are physical standards to meet for both certifications. You'll need to prepare for the tests as well as learn the coaching material. The tests are not about demonstrating maximum strength; they are designed to show that you can perform the fundamental kettlebell techniques safely, efficiently and to RKC standards.

RKC-D test

The RKC-D has a physical standard to meet: a 100m Farmer's Carry with half your bodyweight in each hand.

When you sign up, you'll be provided with a training plan designed to bring you from where you are up to the required standard.

The Farmer's Walk test uses the same kettlebell weight regardless of gender and age.

For example: If someone weighs at least 80.0 kg but less than 88.0 kg, the test will be performed with two 40 kg kettlebells.

RKC-C Strength and Technique Test

The RKC-C test consists of two elements: the Turkish Get-Up Technique Test and the RKC 100 Swing Test.

The aim is to demonstrate clean technique, coordinated control and a solid foundation in general physical preparedness (GPP).

Turkish Get-Up Technique Test:

You must perform one full Turkish Get-Up on each side, using your RKC Snatch Test Size kettlebell.

If any of the technical criteria taught and practised during the certification is not met, the test is considered failed.

RKC 100 Swing Test:

You must perform 100 two-handed hardstyle Swings within five minutes, using your RKC Snatch Test Size kettlebell.

RKC Snatch Test Size

The required kettlebell size depends on bodyweight, age category and the relevant RKC standard.

Women

Men

RKC-D is the starting point for everyone entering the new RKC certification pathway. From here, you can progress to RKC-C, then B and A, depending on where you want to take your coaching.

The details

• Duration: 2 days
• Full Price: £549
• Early bird: £499 until 04.12.2026
• Dates: 6–7 March 2027
• Location: Kettlebell HQ @ Sparta Coventry

Ready to get started?

If you're serious about being a better coach, rather than just collecting another certificate, we'd love to have you along! 

Sign up to secure your place.