Girevoy Sport
For a no sales, no fluff, no “Hardstyle vs. OTW”, Girevoy Sport information, you absolutely have to visit the following blog:
http://girevoysportafter40.blogspot.com
“Eugene” is a Medical Doctor from Sydney Australia who took up Girevoy Sport training in 2008 at the age of 45. He has a veritable “library” of information on GS training that you won’t get from Dragondoor, AKC, or any of the other mainstream KB/GS sites. Eugene has even taken the time to translate whole articles from Russian into English and revealed that there are, in fact, other ways to train for Girevoy Sport!
Please do yourself a favor if you’re interested in Girevoy Sport and check out his blog. You won’t be disappointed. Wait. Actually, you will. You’ll wish you had found it sooner.
www.americankettlebellclub.com
Pro Grade Kettlebells Are Here!
8kg=$100
12kg=$100
16kg=$110
20kg=$120
24kg=$130
28kg=$140
32kg=$150
36kg=$160
40kg=$230
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
O.K., the “colored ones” are considered sport style for want of a better term. They’re sold by the American Kettlebell Club (of which I’m a coach), and are designed for use in Girevoy Sport, although they’re also great for fitness use, as the design of their handle is (in my opinion) a bit more comfortable than the Dragon Door ones (at least for very high reps).
The main difference is the handle shape. The handles are significantly thinner than those of the other brands. According to Eric Liford of the Worlds Kettlebell Club:
They are intentionally about 33mm in the handle, all other measurements the same. The standard has always been 35mm (on paper) and that’s what we made the Special Edition bells, but after getting them Valery thought they looked a bit too thick. His sample from Russia is 33mm. He said in Latvia last year, the World Championships used bells that had to be 32mm. Most of the competitions Valery was in over the years he remembers they were thinner. We hear from others that went to the Championships in Moscow 2 years ago say they were thinner as well.
So, the Standard for the World Kettlebell Club handle is “not more than 35mm”.
Some reasons…
1. Women were not considered in the original measurements. Since we have many many interested women, the ~33mm handle accommodates them, kids and those men with smaller hands.
2. The records from the history of Kettlebell Sport most likely came with bells slightly under 35mm.
3. Kettlebells from around the world, some 50 years old or more, have likely been sanded and ground down over the years. They try for a standard, but you never know what you are going to get from competition to competition.
4. Anything over 35mm leaves a big sample of the population out as far as locking your finger etc.. Since Kettlebell Sport is not a grip event, but a Strength-Endurance Sport, everyone should have a relatively equal chance. Obviously, any smaller than 32mm wouldn’t be an advantage to anyone, but anything larger than 35mm would limit more than half the population.
I have Dragon Door, AKC, Lifeline, and Ader kettlebells and use all for different things. Any would serve you well.
P.S.
If you’re interested in buying AKC bells shoot me a line and I’ll help you get one. Or two. Or three.
Jim
Both Perform Better and American Kettlebell Club offer Girevoy Sport Style Kettlebells. Prices for Perform Better First Place Elite kettlebells (according to their website on 12/12/08) are as follows (shipping and handling are extra):
12 kg - $69.95
16 kg - $84.95
20 kg - $99.95
24 kg - $114.95
The American Kettlebell Club is offering a 20% discount on their kettlebells until Thursday, January 1st 2009 12:01am. Their prices are as follows (again, shipping and handling are extra):
8kg=$100-20%=$80
12kg=$100-20%=$80
16kg=$110-20%=$88
20kg=$120-20%=$96
24kg=$130-20%=$104
28kg=$140-20%=$112
32kg=$150-20%=$120
36kg=$160-20%=$128
40kg=$230-20%=$184
44kg=$260-20%=$208
48kg=$300-20%=$240
The American Kettlebell Club cannot guarantee inventory or size availability.
You can use the Perform Better link on my home page or contact me to purchase the AKC bells.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
Jim