How To Snatch a Kettlebell, with Keira Newton, RKC Team Leader:
In this first video, Keira teaches us how to "tame the arc" in a snatch.
The kettlebell snatch start's like a swing, hiking the kettlebell backwards:
But after the hip snap, things have to change.
If you apply the same fully extended arm that you use in a swing, the kettlebell is going to come around and smack your forearm.
What you need to do is
1.) Give the kettlebell a little tug towards us,
2.) Then right when the kettlebell floats weightless…
3.) …Punch your hand up under it.
Then you punch up under it!
The next question is how to bring the kettlebell back down:
I love Keira's kettlebell videos because not only does she break everything down so that it's clear and simple to understand, but the way she moves and demonstrates is picture perfect.
Huge massive thanks to kettlebell expert Keira Newton, RKC Team Leader for demonstrating the snatch for us.
Why Snatch?
Well we know the kettlebell swing is the best fat loss movement there is.
The kettlebell snatch has all of the benefits of the kettlebell swing, plus it's more fun.
And it looks cooler. And really, looking cool while you work out is like the second most important thing behind getting results =)
And… it's harder!
If your kettlebell swings are starting to get easy with the kettlebell you have, you can move from swings to snatches and you've made your kettlebell work harder.
In other words, you can save yourself a trip to the store to buy another kettlebell. Snatching a 26lb kettlebell is about the same difficulty as doing two hand swings with a 36lb kettlebell.
And for guys, doing snatches with a 44lb kettlebell is about as hard as doing two hand swings with a 53lb kettlebell.
Article and Pictures by Josh Hillis,
RKC II
Video Demonstration by Keria Newton,
RKC Team Leader
If you are in New Mexico, I strongly recommend going to Keira's kettlebell gym, Dynamic Kettlebell Fitness.
Thanks Keira!
That was super helpful!
I love snatches, but man do they rub my hands too much when I bring the bell back down. I almost always have to wear a glove or else (it feels like) my skin will give way before my stamina.
I can do snatches with my left hand without any pain using the technique demonstrated above. HOWEVER, after just few snatches with my right, I have so much rubbing/pain I have to stop. I think I’m doing the same movement on both sides. Any ideas about why this would be? If it matters, I’m right handed.
And I know . . . practice, practice, practice.