Active IQ Instructing Kettlebell Training (2026 sample manual)

Manual
Instructing Kettlebell
Training
Version AIQ006851

Section 2
The skills, motivations and behaviours needed for delivering kettlebell training
Helping clients to have a positive exercise experience
The key to ensuring clients have a positive exercise experience is forging positive relationships and developing a
client-friendly attitude.
Building a rapport
Positive relationships lead to positive experiences and happy clients. Happy clients are more likely to return and
spread the word than unhappy ones!
Rapport and strong working relationships can be established through the use of effective communication skills.
Making a first impression
First impressions count; simply smiling and addressing
someone by their name instantly forms a positive connection
with lasting impact. By contrast, a negative first impression
can be hard to change and take a very long time to forget.
Another key consideration is positive body language, e.g.
eye contact, sincere smile, relaxed and open posture and
polite tone of voice.
KEY
NOTE
It takes 5–7 seconds to create
a first impression.
55%
appearance
& body
language
‘You never get a second chance to
make a good first impression.’
First impressions:
the 93% rule
38% tone,
pitch & pace
of your voice
7% what
you say
Professional appearance
How you present yourself, the clothing you wear, and personal grooming should be consistent with the ‘image’ of
your business. If working as a self-employed kettlebell instructor or employee of an organisation, be aware of the
standards you may be required to adhere to in order to meet the expectations of the clientele.
When teaching a kettlebell session, wear exercise clothes and appropriate footwear that allows clients to clearly
see the movements and exercises you demonstrate.
Always make sure the clothing that you wear is clean
and change clothes from one class to the next if one
set becomes sweaty.
Maintain good personal hygiene. Be clean and use
deodorant while avoiding perfume and scents that
are too strong.
Make sure shoelaces are tied to avoid slips, trips and
falls.
Depending on the style of session, ensure your
hairstyle is appropriate and that your face and facial
expressions can be seen clearly.
If you wear jewellery, make sure it is minimal to avoid
causing a distraction or posing danger to you or the
clients as you move during the session.
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Section summary
handle
horns
bell
Kettlebells can be used to
develop:
• Strength and
power.
• Hypertrophy.
• Muscle
endurance.
• Functional
abilities.
• Core function.
• Sports
performance.
• Active flexibility.
• Body composition.
• Cardiovascular
fitness.
KETTLEBELL
Progressive
overload
Specificity
Adaptability
Principles
of training
The most common methods of monitoring
intensity include:
Reversibility
Individuality
Heart rate
Talk test
Recovery
time
RPE
Observation
Kettlebell exercises include different planes of motion:
Many kettlebell
exercises involve
integrated movements,
which means
strengthening groups
of muscles rather than
just one at a time.
Sagittal plane Frontal/coronal plane Transverse plane

Section 7
Planning a safe and effective group or one-to-one kettlebell training session
Instructing a range of kettlebell exercises
Kettlebell lifts
Below are descriptions of some of the main kettlebell lifts. They are presented
to help progressively teach the techniques if needed.
Each description provides an overview of the lift, containing some of its
benefits and specific technique issues. The description details the primary
muscles used and the teaching points that must be followed to achieve sound
technique. Alternative progressions and adaptations are provided to make
the exercise harder or easier, or work similar muscle groups. Each exercise
table includes common problems and solutions, which detail some of the likely
errors that can occur and suggestions for overcoming these mistakes.
Kettlebell front squat
Overview Primary muscles Teaching points
The kettlebell front squat has all the
benefits of a traditional front squat
and is a good introductory exercise.
Holding a kettlebell (compared to a
barbell) keeps the weight closer to
the body and clients may, therefore,
find it easier to perform.
Alternative options
• Quadriceps
• Hamstrings
• Core
• Gluteal
muscles
1. Hold the kettlebell in a double-handed
‘racked’ position, with feet shoulder-width
apart.
2. Brace the abdominal and back muscles.
3. Initiate the squat by flexing from the knees
and hips.
4. Lower slowly to a comfortable position
(thighs parallel to the floor).
5. From the bottom position, push the ground
away, keeping the chest lifted throughout to
maintain a neutral spine.
6. Keep knees in line with toes. Keep heels
down throughout.
7. Return to the standing position. Concentrate
on getting the hips forward and squeezing
the glutes.
Common problems and solutions
1. Single-arm racked position.
2. Double kettlebell front squat.
3. Single or double kettlebell lunges.
4. Single-leg front squat (pistol squat).
Error: spinal alignment falling into flexion.
Correction: keep chest lifted and kettlebell tight to
the body.
ACTIVITY
List three specific teaching
points for the front squat.
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Section summary
Ending the session:
Complete
a safe and
effective cooldown
appropriate
to the clients’
needs.
Give clients
opportunity
to reflect on the
session and share
their views.
Give
opportunity for
clients to ask
questions.
Provide
a positive
summary of the
group’s performance
and what has been
achieved.
Wipe
down the
kettlebells!
Ensure feedback is
positive and not negative
Evaluate
your
Practice!
Gathering feedback from the group:
> Reflect on the session overall.
> Ask questions.
> Provide feedback.
> Identify further needs and additional
objectives.
Gibbs Reflective Cycle
6. ACTION PLAN
1. DESCRIPTION
> How well did the session
meet the group’s
needs?
> Were they safe, effective
and enjoyable?
5. CONCLUSION
2. FEELINGS
> How well did your instructing style match
the group’s needs?
> Did the clients follow instructions
correctly?
> Did they perform safely and effectively?
4. ANALYSIS
3. EVALUATION
> How effective and motivational was
the relationship between you and your
clients?

Notes
Evaluating your own practice
Quorum Park
Q6 Benton Lane
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE12 8BT
T 01480 467 950
F 01480 456 283
info@activeiq.co.uk
www.activeiq.co.uk
Active IQ wishes to emphasise that whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the material contained within this document is subject to alteration or amendment in
terms of overall policy, financial or other constraints. Reproduction of this publication is prohibited unless authorised by Active IQ Ltd. No part of this document should be
published elsewhere or reproduced in any form without prior written permission.
92
Copyright © 2025 Active IQ Ltd. Not for resale.
Copyright © 2025 Active IQ Ltd. Not for resale