More flexibility for kettlebell sport

Continuing with the last article on flexibility for kettlebell sport in this article you will see what some of the best in the sport are doing for warm up as well as cool down. I want to thank both Oleh Ilika and Paul White for sharing online what they have done and/or currently do when preparing for their training sets.
Why is warming up so important to you? It prepares you both mentally and physically for the work that is about to come. In Kettlebell sport the mind is more powerful than the body and being both mentally and physically prepared is key and helpful to having a great training day/week/ month.
In the first video Oleh is preparing himself for training warming up all areas of his body focusing on mobility and flexibility. Similar to the last article flexibility is very helpful in the sport for both rack and lockout positions. If you try this routine work the progression and modifications. This is just an example of a routine similar to the stretches that were mentioned. Create your own and find you flow.

Next is Paul White showing some thoracic and spine mobility. If you haven't heard of Paul White please check out his youtube page Paul White Art of Physical Performance and his Facebook page Art of Physical Performance.




Warming up the Thoracic Spine (T-Spine) is critical for kettlebell sport. A flexible spine allows for better rack position as well as lockout in the overhead position.



In his Gross motor mobility video the movements are similar to Oleh's warm up video where the entire body is getting put through dynamic ranges of motion. This is key since kettlebell sport is a full body movement. Some great examples of warm ups and cool downs here to help you make your own.

Flexibility for Kettlebell Jerk

One of the biggest issues for men when learning the Jerk is the rack position. The rack is the place to rest and recover from each rep, enabling you to duplicate and complete another rep (refueling station). What most men and/or women that lift double kettlebells find difficult is to find that area of rest. So, in breaking down the rack position we can look at areas to improve to make the rack position comfortable and tolerable.

 In the above picture the lifter is in perfect rack position to perform the jerk. The body needs to be prepared for each repetition, so rest and recovery is what we are looking to achieve in rack. The spine needs to allow the upper body to deviate from the straight line in order to have a place for the bells to rest. If not the body will go under tension trying to support the bells.

                                             

 

In rack position the upper body (shoulders and trapezius) must be able to relax. Through this relaxation, the arms (elbows) will be able to reach the hips and allow the legs to support the weight of the bells. When the elbows can’t reach the hips and the knees bend an area that is analyzed is the flexibility of the hips and hamstrings. When the area that needs to be worked on is the flexibility of the upper body particularly the spine. The back (upper and lower) plays a key role in allowing the elbows to reach the hips or at least get close (depending on body type).

First thing is to get the T-Spine (thoracic) mobile and flexible. A tool I use to enhance the mobility of the spine is a foam roller.

I use the foam roller to help loosen up the muscles and work range of motion. Working my way from the low back to the upper back continually working flexion and extension. I also use the roller to loosen up the shoulders and latissimus dorsi a.k.a. Lats. 

The second exercise I continue to work on and improve is the gymnastics bridge. The bridge is a full body stretch targeting the upper body, shoulders and forearms also the quads and hips. If you can't get the bridge in the beginning don't worry. Here are a few ways to build up to the full gymnastics bridge.

1.     Wall walks

2.    Bridge with head

3.    Full bridge with small ball (not shown)

4.    Back bridge press ups 

5.    Cobra position (yoga low back stretch)

Start by increasing the range of motion of each stretch and the length of time in the stretch building up to a minute per stretch. The next areas to increase flexibility are the hips. This is a large area because we not only need to look at the hips but the low back, glutes and hamstrings.

Some great mobility exercises for the hips are the Cossacks squat and the rock bottom squat (ATG squat). 

Some stretches I recommend for the low back, glutes and hips are the pigeon stretch, butterfly stretch, hurdler stretch and straddle stretch, lunge and quad stretch. 

Theses are just some of the ways to increase your overall flexibility.

As flexibility in the thoracic spine and lower body increase you’ll be able to feel comfortable in the rack position allowing you to last longer and complete the ten-minute set.