AKC Methods versus the hard style?
by Eric Liford
What’s the difference between the hard style and AKC? We get this question daily. I’ve never fully understood the question. We all strive for it not to even be a question. What do we say? I mean, we understand the question at its most basic point that many Kettlebell Lifters lift hard style or heavier kettlebells for lower reps and have a theory that they get better results. We also observe that routinely with that rationale comes a low focus on quality of technique, with a dominance of perceived effort. That is, working as fast as possible, sloppily, until you burn out. There are many other observable tendencies, like a lack of care which type and design of kettlebells are used, as well as piggy-backing methodologies of other modalities like Bodybuilding and Powerlifting. The typical call on AKC Methods are lighter weights for more reps. You know, the old Martial Arts thing, of hard vs. soft style? Or High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) vs. Long Distance Aerobic? We somehow get thrown into this same type of debate of style in kettlebells. To place kettlebells in any similar scenario shows a lack of understanding of the uniqueness of tool, its use and the protocol that should be followed to excel. It’s not hard or soft, HIIT or aerobics or any other debate. We’ve said it many different ways, but the best so far goes something like this.
There is no difference between AKC and the hard style. No, we’re not kidding, there is no difference! Oh, except one thing. AKC Methods come from World Kettlebell Club, far and away the highest level of expertise in Kettlebells. World Champion Valery Fedorenko with 20+ years experience in Kettlebells is the Chief Advisor, but the wealth of knowledge in his Team of Advisors is unparalleled, and reaches past the beginnings of making this powerful exercise into a competitive sport. His mission: To take this protocol into every single sport or discipline as the highest level GPP methods in existence. To put this in every household as the ultimate Fitness System due to its safe and sophisticated Protocol, portability, and full-body functional Wellness approach. To raise awareness of the already established Sport of Kettlebell Lifting and help achieve the Olympics.
The hard style is a beginner stage natural reaction to kettlebells. It’s not a style. Life would be easier for all involved if the notion of style was eliminated. Simply, prove the results.
The explanation… In the beginning of Valery’s Kettlebell experience he viewed the tool as a challenge. The Kettlebells very design is based around it being comfortable to use for high reps. Otherwise we could just use dumbbells or barbells, that are much more suited to Bodybuilding, Powerlifting and Olympic Lifting due to the smaller incremental adjustability and design. The Kettlebell is a unique tool. It has a purpose for which it’s best suited, and something it does best. The challenge, get more reps! Valery would just try as hard as possible each time out! The natural reaction is to rush the reps, hoping to outrun the fatigue. It never happens, as this threshold is always met and then the signals to the brain start happening; soon shutdown occurs. Valery struggled attempting this “style” on his own until receiving some Coaching. This path is dangerous - not fun - and limited in results. It’s like one of our Coaches, Kevin, said, “do you want an express ride to the 5th floor or a steady ride to the roof?” Luckily Valery came to the USA to start new lifters at the Coaching stage and forego the natural reaction of hard style.
Technique. That’s where this organization begins with everything. It’s like a quick-study Martial Art, where you similarly learn the Forms before all-out fighting. In our Fitness Course we License Trainers to operate the WKC Fitness System, but many individuals just interested in learning safer technique and Protocol have been signing up. This course alone is worth years of your life training Kettlebells, as Valery and his team saves you from hard style natural reaction, and puts you on the road to refinement. We also have Kettlebell Lifting Coach Certifications and a Pro Kettlebell Sport Camp as understanding increases. The World Kettlebell Club is an Institute of Kettlebell Leaders from the Fitness Industry, Professional and Olympic Sports, Health, Medicine, Academia, Government, Military and of course the Champions in the Sport of Kettlebell Lifting. The curriculum is broader than any other in the world of Kettlebells.
A lot of hard style proponents (yes, there are actual proponents teaching what comes naturally) say it develops more power when lifting fast. It creates more power to lift heavy! Well yeah, kinda, but not before you are ready to go fast or lift heavy. The problem is everyone thinks they are ready. How do you know? There are some crucial points that not only accelerate your progress, but allow healthier progression to the highest levels. The smartest way.
Here’s how the AKC sees the stages from bottom to top…
Stages of Kettlebell Understanding
Intro to the tool. The Lifter “fear-reacts”, braces, breathes inefficiently, panics and races. The Lifter generally looks like they are really working hard. The hard style. There are conditioning effects to a certain point, but this is a road to injury or substantially diminishing returns unless a qualified Instructor or Coach is found. IMPORTANT: How do you know who is qualified to teach?
The Lifter finds expert instruction. This can be a high level Kettlebell Lifter that has been through all the stages, or one that has been trained by a high level of expert. It’s dangerous to guess, and kettlebells have their own unique training strategy, so placing other methodology from other disciplines is foolish and shows a low level of expertise. Usually, the Lifter is advised to slow down, get their composure, train smart, and gradually adapt. Don’t cheat yourself.
Shocking results occur. This is when Lifters typically develop an understanding. What they thought they knew in Stage 1 becomes much more clear after some time in Stage 2. Not only do they now know through experience that they can achieve superior results over hard style, but they feel better, have less injuries, and want to share the life changing experience with family, friends and students. As you can imagine, this is what an AKC Coach or Trainer would call a job well done, but there is one more stage if the Lifter is willing!
Super-human status. We’ve seen it happen already. What is it exactly? Well, it’s kinda hard to explain, but imagine not knowing what powers you hold and surprising yourself and others at every turn as you discover them. Relax, we’re not talking Incredible Hulk or Spiderman skills, but it’s definitely above what average people consider Fit. Super-humans are still human, so don’t be afraid! Realize your potential! It has been said that Kettlebells are the single best General Physical Preparedness (GPP) tool/method in existence, but it can be taken to a specialist level. A World Class Fighter can fight at a high level and be considered a specialist. A World Class Runner can run circles around the average “Fit” individual, but that’s their specialty. A World Class Powerlifter can put a half ton on their back, but that’s some special stuff! What can a Kettlebell Specialist do? I won’t say everything at risk of inciting a riot among athletes, but we are talking about a “Fitness” level that is off the charts! Well-rounded, athletic, resilient, and capable. We are talking about an ability to do just about anything!
One Way Street? It’s a hard road!
Having experienced 3 of the 4 stages myself, I realize I may not be as clear in explaining the complexities of this understanding to someone stuck in stage 1 well enough. There are only so many words you can hear until a certain amount of try must be given to actually know. It’s just from a different perspective that just can’t be revisited by those past this beginner stage. Given enough time and an honest attempt from the Lifter and we have a 100% success rate however. They just don’t go back once they’ve experienced the same. One of the main things that helped me besides the experience was the contrast of the Lifters involved in the debate. The hard style is limited because it neglects certain essentials of training Kettlebells. The Lifters with any time under their bells that are still in this first stage have stagnated. Sometimes they go to personal record, to injury, back to the same level and injury, over and over again for years. As Fitness this is not going to work. I don’t want to waste another minute! Besides, our Methods and Protocol have come from the highest levels of experience, by professionals that must have the safest and highest results. They can’t guess. The contrast between an AKC Lifter and those leveling off at the hard style is clear. The accomplished AKC Lifter enjoys a two way street, lifting heavy and lifting long. They consider a typical hard style workout easy, wanting more. The accomplished hard style practitioner doesn’t feel the same way about the AKC daily workout, thinking it’s hard. The hard style lifter is on a one way street and it’s a dead-end. It’s not too late to turn around, risk a ticket, and find the right road.
Is this hard or easy?
60kg/132lb 1-arm Jerk
3 minute speed test – 24kg Jerk