Kettlebell lifting has a long history in Russia and has been a competitive sport since the 1960s. Kettlebell sports, also known as Girevoy Sport, is a popular sport in Russia and Europe. It has started becoming popular in other countries around the world recently. A variation of weightlifting, the sport involves the same snatch and jerk techniques that are demonstrated in the former.

Along with the world, kettlebell sports have also made an entry into India and Calcutta. Health clubs and gyms where members are involved in regular kettlebell training, have introduced the sport as well. Kaushik Balial of KB’s Gym, introduced kettlebell training in his gym some months back and on July 4 and 5, he conducted a workshop on Level 2 kettlebell training. “In most gyms in Calcutta, kettlebells, which were treated as a fitness training equipment, have become a sports equipment. More people are trying this sport,” said Kaushik.

“Level 2 training includes training in the sport. Level 1 is all about strength and endurance and is usually done with one kettlebell. In Level 2, the trainees have to learn to lift two kettlebells together and gradually try to increase the weight limit,” he added.

Four members of KB’s Gym participated in the workshop. At this workshop, Kaushik demonstrated kettlebell lifting with two 4kg bells. “There are generally two events in competitive kettlebell events. One is the biathlon and the other is the long cycle. The biathlon is a classical event where the lifter has to perform a set of jerks followed by a set of snatches. In a long cycle, the lifter has to perform a set of long jerks,” said Kaushik.

At the workshop, Kaushik stressed on techniques – how to do the moves and how to develop a body for the sport. “Strength and endurance are the two most important things in kettlebell sports. This form of fitness training has become popular among the young generation because kettlebells are small equipment which require less space and also because training takes less time. The maximum time one should give to kettlebell training is 20 minutes,” said Kaushik. After this workshop, Kaushik hopes to be able to build a team of kettlebell lifters. “There is a kettlebell lifting competition next year in Calcutta and I hope to send a team there,” said Kaushik.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph, Calcutta,India / Front Page> Howrah> Story / by Dalia Mukherjee / Friday – July 10th, 2015