A kettlebell club is a group of individuals who train together or compete against each other in kettlebell exercises. These clubs have sprouted all over the world as the popularity of kettlebell training grows. There are many fitness enthusiasts who have formed their own local clubs in cities and towns. The local kettlebell clubs then united to form national kettlebell clubs, which in turn have formed international clubs.
Some of the more prominent national kettleclub clubs are the Russian Kettlebell Sport Federation, American Kettlebell Club, and Singapore Kettlebell Club. The national or regional kettlebell clubs are focused on accrediting local clubs, certifying instructors, and standardizing training programs. They prepare national tournaments and issue national rankings. National kettlebell clubs have organized themselves into different international kettlebell clubs.
The international kettlebell clubs include the International Union of Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL), International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation (IKFF), and World Kettlebell Club (WKC). The clubs hold their own world championships, publish international rankings, and keep world kettlebell records. These organizations compete with each other for legitimacy and influence over the local and national clubs. As of 2009, their stated overall priority is to be admitted to the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and the eventual inclusion of the sport of kettlebell lifting at the Olympics.
Almost anyone can join a kettlebell club, including young people and older adults, beginners, and professionals. Kettlebell training ranges from home videos and basic workshops to more intensive courses similar to ones used by the military. The specific kettlebell exercise program offered by a kettlebell club largely depends on the preferred style of the instructor.
Memberships and payment conditions in kettlebell clubs vary widely from area to area and depend on the level of fitness of the individual. The designated tier for a prospective kettlebell lifter is determined by the kettlebell club’s instructors. The instruction in the kettlebell clubs include several types of kettlebell moves. The kettlebell clubs train in a variety of settings, like gyms, open fields, or even living rooms.
Local and international kettlebell clubs promote the sport globally through word of mouth, the Internet, and traditional media. As a result, kettlebell lifting has continued to see increased popularity through the early 2000s. The popularity of this type of weight lifting has also been endorsed by elite athletes such as cycling champion Lance Armstrong and Hollywood celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone.