Kettlebells are believed to have originated from ancient Greece used in the early Olympic games and possibly used by the famed Spartan Warriors. Written records show that as far back as 1704 Russians used kettlebells. The kettlebell or “Girya” is a cast weight that looks like a cannonball with a handle. Originally used as a measuring tool in farmers markets and measured in poods. 1 pood equal to 16kg and weights would be 1, 11/2 or 2 (16,24 or 32kg). Country folk started throwing these weights around and soon a training system started to emerge.

Since ancient times in Russia, Russian people have valued physical strength. Historically it was an honour to be known as the local strong man. This obviously fed into local competition with contests being held throughout rural villages and towns with the term “ Grirevik” (read kettlebell lifter) used to describe these strongmen. The strongest men were refered to as “Bogitar” which means extremely strong and honourable man. Bogitars were also honoured for their goodness as they used their super strength for good against evil. Such was kettlebells popularity it was unofficially known as the national sport of Russia coming in from rural areas to the cities and universities.

After the Communists came to power they put kettlebell training on a scientific basis. Shortly after World War II in 1948 organized kettlebell lifting or Girevoy sport was born. Of the many stunts practiced by the old timers, only the one arm power snatch, the one arm military press and the two kettlebell clean+jerk all done for reps with a standard weight were chosen for officially sanctioned meets. In the 1980’s girevoy sport followed the suit of Olympic weight lifting and the press was eliminated from competition.

The use of this unique training tool was not primarily an implement of the Russian strongmen but was also popularized in the west a century ago by their American and European counterparts. Such iron legends as Arthur Saxon and Eugene Sandow favoured kettlebells just as much as their Russian colleagues. Indeed the Milo Barbell Company manufactured their first kettlebell in 1902. However as the West gained prosperity and the emphasis moved from strength based training into muscle cultivation for size and to the popularized body building which is evident in many of our gyms now.
Not the case however in Russia where the brutal efficiency of this simple training tool was and is utilised to its full potential by athletes, military and special forces. Here was a tool which was easily transported and could be used by troops on the front line to keep them in shape. Spetsnaz, or special forces, personnel owe much of their wiry strength, explosive agility and never quitting stamina to kettlebells. Without the obvious disadvantage of bulking up this was the ultimate tool. This being the case today pre joining fitness tests in the snatch and the clean and jerk are utilised by the law enforcement services in the former Soviet States and are getting adopted by elite American SWAT.

This resurgence in popularity in the west is largely down to Pavel Tsatsouline who worked with and trained Soviet military personnel prior to the iron curtain coming down. After which he moved to the U.S and started training special forces state side with profound effect. Now not just the tool of choice for the military kettlebell training is utilised by elite athletes such as the UFC’s BJ Penn, Randy Coutre, Jens Pulver and Tim Sylvia. Due to its amazing fat burning capabilities it is also being used in Holywood by J-Lo, Penelope Cruz and Sylvester Stallone. Within our own shores Geri Halliwell is also a fan as is Amir Kahn, Liverpool and Chealsa Football Clubs.