Thanks ! I`m excited about starting to compete - it`s a whole other form of kettle bell work !

Nice! Congratulations, and well done! I've never competed or even seen one. How's the competition structured--what are the events like?

Kettlebell competitions are reps over a set time - MOSTLY 10 mins - there are some competitions that use the 5 min option but that is not common

The events are usually

snatch only
Long cycle - which is a clean and jerk
biathlon which is the total of 2 events - jerk and snatch - the jerk only is not usually a free standing event

you do as many reps as possible without stopping in 10 mins - you are allowed 1 hand switch if you are working with a single bell - the women's events are single bells - Men do everything exempt the snatch with double bells.

you have to achieve lock out and stillness for a rep to count.

Depending on the event they will offer different bell weights - women start at 8KG and up - men at 16KG - but not every event will offer divisions in all weights

there are 6 rankings

3, 2, 1, CMS, MS, MSIC

you have to execute a certain no of reps ( depending on your body weight ) with a certain weight to achieve each level - so for women using the 8kg bell they would be trying for a level 3 rank - I jumped right into level 1 with the 16kg !

My coach is moving me up t the 20kg next I believe although not sure what his plans are for competition - the next even is the US nationals in August - if you get a chance the competitions are a lot of fun to watch - very high energy !