BOLT Kettlebell Sport™ BELIEVE - OVERCOME - LIFT - TRIUMPH

The Lifts:

  1. Double Snatch

  2. Double Jerk

  3. Double Clean and Jerk

  4. Snatch

  5. Jerk

  6. Clean and Jerk

The Rules In Brief:

  • You choose can choose what weight to use for each lift.

  • Your score is calculated in total kilos lifted per set

  • Set downs are allowed, and don’t end a set

  • Multiple hand switches are allowed and don’t end the set

  • Championship sets are 10 minute per lift.

BOLT™ KETTLEBELL SPORT

The Original American Kettlebell Sport

BOLT Iron Man

  1. Double Snatch

  2. Double Jerk

  3. Double Clean and Jerk

  4. Snatch

  5. Jerk

  6. Clean and Jerk

BOLT KT2

  1. Double Snatch

  2. Double Jerk

  3. Double Clean and Jerk

BOLT KT1

  1. Snatch

  2. Jerk

  3. Clean and Jerk

BOLT Kettlebell Lifting Sport: From the Rockies to the World

A Short History

The kettlebell lifting sport known today as BOLT, got it’s start under the name American Rules Kettlebell Sport. Developed by Coach Nico Rithner in 2009 at Colorado Kettlebell Club, ARKS fulfilled the need for a kettlebell sport that represented the American value of gender equality and the need to have a non-elitist, lifter-oriented sport. ARKS was, in every aspect, like its counterpart Russian Girevoy with the exception that in the American version both men and women could compete in all the lifts – doubles and singles. This was a historic step forward for the kettlebell community since the International Kettlebell Lifting Federation (IKLF) was the first governing body to rule in favor of gender equality at a time when women weren’t allowed to lift doubles by any of the other existing kettlebell sport governing organizations.

BOLT Kettlebell Lifting Sport, also developed in 2009 by Coach Rithner, diverted even farther from Russian Girevoy by eliminating the “one switch” rule and allowing for unlimited set downs. Like ARKS, BOLT allows women to lift doubles. At its inception, IKLF had in place a practice of using BOLT lifting methods as an introductory program to ARKS.

In 2011, ARKS was completely replaced by BOLT due to two changes in the sport. A majority of the IKLF lifting community requested that BOLT be organized as a full-fledged sport so that meets featuring it could be planned and, at the same time, the Girevoy international organization started to provide meets in the USA. Consequently, BOLT was organized into a complete sport and IKLF ceased holding ARKS events.

BOLT allows lifters the flexibility to choose their own competition weights and lifts (whereas Girevoy sport designates weights and lifts based on gender and features only three competition lifts). BOLT Kettlebell Lifting Sport measures the lifter’s overall work capacity by tallying the total amount of kilograms lifted during a set. BOLT is IKLF’s proprietary sport which emphasizes strength and endurance, promoting a good balance of both qualities.

BOLT offers a variety of events and challenges with sets ranging from 5 minutes to 6 hours. Popular events such as the BOLT Iron Man and the Triathlons reward lifters who train comprehensively and have great endurance. Athletes may also specialize in a specific lift – or family of lifts – to accommodate their preferences, training schedule, or body limitations.

We look forward to having you join us at the next local competition and supporting you towards a new personal best or higher rank on the table. We’re sure you’ll enjoy the great camaraderie the BOLT community offers!