Bells & Bare Feet: The Why Behind Barefoot Kettlebell Training
Two of the hottest “trends” in the fitness industry are kettlebells and barefoot training. Often, some kettlebell lifters (blindly citing “tradition”) do KB’s barefoot. Some runners do similarly. This begs some of the following questions:
WHY? Why train barefoot when shoes seem to provide the support and shock absorption needed for optimal performance?
WHAT? What did the “traditionalists” in the former USSRor the runners in Kenya or the Tarahumara in Mexico know that we’re only now starting to figure out?
WHO? Who is barefoot training for? Is it for you? Is it "better?” Should everyone do it? If so, how to get started? “All I need is a pair of Vibrams and I’m good, right?”
Wrong.
The answer to this question—and all the others this train of thought leads to—lies in the function of the human foot.
Dr. Emily Splichal, Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist, is a Senior Instructor with KettleBell Concepts and the creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist® Credential. This 2 ½ hour workshop will provide attendees with a very basic ‘taste’ of kettlebell training as well as basic protocols around barefoot training. Much of the content will come from Dr. Splichal’s Barefoot Training Specialist® course as well as KettleBell Concepts Level 1 Instructor Training.
Participants will:
*Learn basic kettlebell movements which will be integrated into a 45 minute barefoot kettlebell workout.
*Learn basic exercises to “wake up the feet” before beginning a barefoot workout.
*Learn barefoot progressions for different foot-types and why each foot type requires unique foot programming.
*Learn the benefits of integrating barefoot training into a kettlebell workout, including increased proprioceptive feedback, stability and kinetic chain activation.
This course is appropriate for anyone who:
*Is a certified personal trainer or fitness enthusiast simply interested in simply learning more for their own sake. (Note: CEC’s will not be provided to the general consumer/fitness enthusiast.
*Has always had a strong interest in kettlebell training and barefoot training, but isn’t quite sure if they’re ready for a full Level 1 Instructor Course or Barefoot Training Specialist® course yet.
*Is interested in diving deeper into the connection between barefoot training and kettlebell training.
*Is tired of doing something (anything!) because it’s “tradition” and wants to learn a bit of the “why’s” behind the “how’s.”
