Kettlebell Long Cycle – Part 1

The long cycle has long been used in Olympic style lifting, namely the clean and jerk. This is one of the fundamental exercises of many powerlifting and training curriculum.

It was 1896 when weightlifting was first included in the Olympic Games but it wasn’t until the 1920 Games in held in Antwerp that weightlifting became officially part of the program. In 1928, the International Weightlifting Federation changed the program to remove any one handed lifts and include the snatch, clean and jerk and the press. The press was dropped in 1976.

During the Olympic Games the clean and jerk lifter has 3 attempts to successfully complete the lift at the appointed weight. It is considered the ultimate test of power and strength. Although the lift is broken into two parts, it is still considered one lift as the athlete must complete both parts to be successful.

During the first part the lift mimics a deadlift. However, halfway up the thigh the position of the lifter and barbell changes as the wrists flip and elbows rotate to allow the bar to eventually rack across the clavicle and shoulders.

The second part of the lift is called the jerk and follows immediately after the weight comes to rest on the shoulders. The knees bend and the lifter will explode the weight upward, pushing himself under the bar and then holding the bar overhead with locked arms.

Resources:

One Hour Long Cycle: Ketlebell Long Cycle

http://www.onehourlongcycle.com/kettlebell-long-cycle/

Kerek Gilliam: The Clean and Jerk: A Basic Tutorial

http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring09/gilliam_d/history.html

Adam Farrah’s Blog: kettlebell Long Cycle

http://practicalpaleolithic.com/paleolithic-diet-blog/kettlebell-long-cycle-howie-brewer

Inspired Perspiration: Learn the Kettlebell Long Cycle

http://www.inspiredperspiration.com/learn-the-kettlebell-long-cycle-clean-jerk-with-corey-kettle-guy-padnos/

RMax International: My Murphy-Proof One ARm Long Cycle Kettlebell Progression

http://www.rmaxinternational.com/flowcoach/?p=707

Dragon Door: The Two Kettlebell Long Cycle Clean and Jerk