While on a conference call with an instructor friend of mine discussing the clean and jerk (shout out to Moses Correa for all the help on that one), we got on topic of discussion about certifying as level two instructors. It was April, 2013, nearly one year ago that I had just received my Level I certification and I had always dreamed of getting up to a point of nailing the Level II cert. After a ton of consideration over the testing requirements, I decided to do just as my fellow instructor friend decided.
ONWARD TO THE LEVEL II CERT!/I CAN’T BELIEVE I AM DOING THIS AGAIN! 😉
So, just what the heck is the difference between the level I and Level II certification track? A lot more double work and a lot more technical lifts.
The Double Stuff (no, I don’t mean the cookie 😉 )
Re-certifying on Level One means getting a 10 rep max for kettlebell swings. You also have to hit a 5 rep max on double cleans, presses, front squats and snatches. Don’t forget, that as a Level II candidate you must pass you level one snatch test. Weight classes are set accordingly to your particular weight. For more information on those weight classes, you can visit this link and this link depending on the level II certification of choice.
The Technical Lifts (and some more double stuff)
Windmill, push press, double jerk, bent press, and perhaps even the pistol squat. Oh, and not to mention the pull up requirements. Major precision with a ton of practice leading up to such precision will be required. There is also the one arm rep max on the kettlebell military press that requires it’s own weight class itself. For more on the military press requirements, visit the standards here and here.
With so much going on in this certification, you have to keep your training and conditioning in check while getting all the more stronger. So. ..what’s a program day by day look like?
Let’s break it all down for yinz, shall? 😀
The Plan of Attack-5 day Program for Ultimate Strength and Conditioning (comments included)
Day 1-Double Press Swing and Pull Up Ladders of 1,2,3 (pull ups will be weighted. I haven’t forgotten about the Iron Maiden Challenge 😉 )
Day 2-Turkish Get Up Practice with Heavy Double Squat Sets of 5×5 (Beastly!)
Day 3-Military Press, Pull up and Snatch Ladder set at 1,2,3 (still practicing the weighted pull ups)
Day 4- Ballistic Day- snatch test practice followed by double jerk and double push press practice (well. . .this is not going to be fun).
Day 5- Technical Practice- sets of bent presses, double military presses, overhead squats and 1 rep max pistol practice (Hello there strength! Nice to meet you!).
If you are curious what the actual program looks like in more detail, feel free to email me at janelle@primalfitnesspittsburgh.com. This training program is set as a 12 week program with 3 weeks of hard training on followed by 1 week of rest to deload. I have given much thought and consideration on whether I wanted to remain a level one instructor or go full force to level two, and I am happy to say that I am off for more training and conditioning leading into 2015.
It’s the road less traveled, but I’m ready to make it work! Over the next few weeks we will be talking about the advanced lifts mentioned in this blog post and what you can do to get ready for them. In the meantime, if you are interested in becoming a certified kettlebell instructor or have questions regarding how you can train for such a certification, you may contact me at janelle@primalfitensspittsburgh.com. You may also email me about group training and how kettlebell and body weight conditioning can unleash the strongest version of yourself!
Pittsburgh, another Level II instructor is headed your way. And that’s real talk, ya heard ? 😀
Until next time. . .
Master your instincts!
Special Thanks to Gary Music, SFG II, for designing the kettlebell program outlined above. I honestly would not have been able to figure out how to “put the pieces together” without your guidance and direction. Thanks so much for the help! Thanks so much for your time! Thanks so much for everything!
