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RKC-II Instructor Re-Certification Requirements 

*Please note that the requirements described herein are subject to change.

• Pass the Snatch test
• Re-Test the RKC-I Drills as Doubles (except for the snatch and get-up)
• One Arm Military Press: See press weight classes
• Tactical Pull-up Weighted for Men, Bodyweight Pull-up for Women
• Pistol
• Windmill
• Double Jerk
• Bent Press (teach and review, not pass or fail)

Should you fail to make the requirements, you may arrange to be re-tested with your on-line testing instructor. You have 3 months to retest the skill(s) that you failed.

Snatch Test

Clothing must allow the instructor to assess the student for proper form. The instructor must have a clear view of the elbows and knees. T-shirts and gym shorts are encouraged.

Please inform your instructor if you suffer from a medical condition that prevents you from locking your elbows out. Note that being generally stiff or having poor flexibility does not count as a medical condition.

Hike-pass the kettlebell back and snatch it overhead in one movement, ending with a straight-arm lockout. You must have a noticeable pause at the top of the lockout. It is recommended to perform a few extra reps if time allows to allow for any possible no counts your testing instructor may see.

• You may swing and change hands as much as needed
• You may set the kettlebell down and rest as needed

Acceptable hand-coverings for the test include: tape, socks, and minimalist gloves (i.e. cotton gardening gloves). You may use chalk and reapply it during the test, if needed. You may not use belts, thick or padded-gloves, wrist wraps or any other equipment designed to support your body.

• Not locking out the elbows
• Rebending the knees on the way up
• Failure to stop all movement at the lockout
• Pressing out the kettlebell to finish your lockout
• Touching the chest with the working arm or passing through the rack position on the way down
• Placing a hand on the knee or thigh

Disqualification will occur if the student

• Has three no counts
• Touches the kettlebell with the non-working arm, unless the student is switching hands
• Dropping the kettlebell rather than setting it down with control
• Runs out of time before completing the required number of reps

For the snatch test, the sum of both arms is scored. There are different requirements based on gender and age group. They are as follows:

Men’s Open Class:

Up to 135 pounds     18kg 100/5 min

136-150 pounds       20kg 100/5 min

151-165 pounds       22kg 100/5 min

166-250 pounds       24kg 100/5 min

Over 251 pounds     24kg 100/5 min (28kg For technique testing) 

Men’s Masters: (50-64) 

Up to 135 pounds     16kg 100/5 min 

136-150 pounds       18kg 100/5 min 

151-220 pounds        20kg 100/5 min 

Over 221 pounds      22kg 100/5 min 

Men Seniors: (Over 65) 

Up to 135 pounds     16kg 50/3 min

136-150 pounds       18kg 50/3 min

151-220 pounds        20kg 50/3 min

Over 221 pounds      22kg 50/3 min

Women’s Open Class:

Up to 100 pounds     10kg 100/5 min

101-120 pounds        12kg 100/5 min

121-135 pounds        14kg 100/5 min

136-200 pounds        16kg 100/5 min

Over 200 pounds      18kg For technique only (snatch test 16g 100/5 min)

Women Masters: (50-64)

Up to 100 pounds        8kg 100/5 min

101-120 pounds          10kg 100/5 min

121-135 pounds          12kg 100/5 min

136-200 pounds          14kg 100/5 min

Over 200 pounds         16kg 100/5 min

Women Seniors: (Over 65)

Up to 100 pounds         8kg 50/3 min

101-115 pounds            10kg 50/3 min

116-135 pounds            12kg 50/3 min

136-200 pounds            14kg 50/3 min

Over 200 pounds           16kg 50/3 min

Retesting RKC-I Technique With Double Kettlebells:

You must be able to demonstrate safe and effective technique as part of being an RKC-II instructor.

• Swing (double kettlebell, 10 reps)
• Clean (double kettlebell, 5 reps)
• Getup (single kettlebell, 1 rep each side)
• Press (double kettlebell, 5 reps)
• Snatch (single kettlebell, 5 reps each side)
• Front Squat (double kettlebell, 5 reps)

Testing RKC-II Skills

 PRESS REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL II

In the pull-up you will be required to start from a dead hang, pull up without kipping, and finish by touching the bar with your neck or chest using the thumbless overhand grip. Women will be tested with their bodyweight only. Men will be required to hang a kettlebell on a foot (a weight belt is not allowed). Kettlebell sizes: 24kg for up to 220 pounds bodyweight; 16kg for over 220 pounds. Men masters (over 50 years old): 16kg up to 220 pounds; bodyweight; 12kg for over 220 pounds.

In the pistol you must be able to descend at least to parallel and come up exercising control. You may hold a counterweight. Successful performance of the pistol with one leg is sufficient.

Successful performance of the windmill, bent press, and push press with one arm is sufficient.

The jerk will be tested with two kettlebells of the size required for the snatch test.

The Strict One-Arm Military Press

Standard

• Performance of the C&P with one arm is sufficient.
• Chalk is allowed.
• The candidate will clean the bell with one hand.
• The candidate must initiate the press with the fist of the working arm below chin level.
• The candidate must press the kettlebell overhead to a full lockout for one repetition.
• The candidate must be standing still during the entire press attempt.
• There must be a distinct pause between the clean and the press, the candidate and the kettlebell motionless.
• The knees must be completely locked during the attempt.
• The candidate must demonstrate full control at the lockout. The candidate and the kettlebell must remain motionless until the head referee’s "Down!" command.

What disqualifies an attempt?

• Failing any of the above standards.
• Using the legs in a push press fashion.
• Bouncing the kettlebell off the chest.
• Downward movement of the kettlebell after the pause between the clean and the press.
• Raising one or both heels, moving one or both feet.
• Leaning sideways so the press turns into a side press. Look for the elbow angle: if it increases at any point during the attempt without a simultaneous elevation of the bell, the candidate has leaned away from the kettlebell and thus has turned a strict press into a side press.
• Excessively leaning back during the attempt.
• Rolling the kettlebell onto the shoulder.

The Tactical Dead Hang Pullup

Standard:

• The candidate must perform one strict dead hang pullup with a kettlebell hung from the foot.
• The bar shall be set high enough not to allow the candidate’s feet to touch the ground when hanging with the arms and legs straight.
• The grip must be thumbless overhand. The width is not specified.
• The candidate may use a box or similar object to reach the bar.
• There must be a distinct pause in a dead hang before an attempt is made.
• The elbows must be straight at the start; the legs may be straight or bent.
• The neck or chest—not the underside of the chin— must touch the bar at the top position.

What disqualifies an attempt?

• Failing any of the above standards.
• Kipping, Swinging
• Raising the femurs above parallel.

If you fail any of the above tests, you will be given three months to retest with a Master RKC, Senior RKC, or RKC Team Leader. Your RKC II Instructor certificate will not be issued until you have passed all the tests.

IMPORTANT RKC 1

TESTING AND RECERTIFICATION UPDATE

Regardless of how recent your Level I cert is, in addition to the above Level II requirements you will be retested for Level I: the technique in the six Level 1 basics and the five-minute snatch test. This will recertify you as a Level I RKC for two more years.

If you fail any of the Level I tests you will not be certified as a Level II instructor, even if you have passed all the Level II tests. You will not be recertified as a Level I instructor either.

If you fail any of the Level I tests, you will be given two months to retest with a Master RKC, Senior RKC, or RKC Team Leader.

If you a fail a requirement:

In order to be certified you must pass all requirements. If you fail one of the requirements you will have 90 days to resubmit a video to your instructor.

The RKC Professional Code of Conduct

The RKC is more than just a three-day certification. It is a principle-based physical training system, but it also operates by a second set of principles, those of professionalism. Once certified, you are joining the ranks of top professionals in the fitness industry, and as such you are required to follow the RKC Code of Conduct.

As an RKC Instructor, I will:

1. Be an ambassador of RKC kettlebell training, exhibiting professional conduct throughout my life.
2. Recognize that my client’s results come first, not my own achievements.
3. Continue to refine and improve my skills as an instructor and as an athlete.
4. Know my own limitations as an instructor and will refer out to other professionals as needed.
5. Treat all who I teach or encounter with respect and compassion.
6. Behave as a professional in all public places, including social media.

 Failure to adhere to these principles can result in losing your certification.

Video Recording Procedure 

All videos must be shot so that the testing instructor has a full body view of the tester during each exercise. Clothing must allow the instructor to assess the student for proper form. The instructor must have a clear view of the elbows and knees. T-shirts and gym shorts are encouraged.