IKFF Kettlebell Certification
Become an IKFF CKT
Upcoming
Certification
I’m currently taking a pause from running group IKFF Kettlebell Certifications. One-to-one IKFF Certification is still available by arrangement.
Please get in touch for further details.
I am delighted to offer the International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation (IKFF) CKT1 qualification.
Unlike many fitness certifications, an IKFF qualification cannot be bought; it must be earned through genuine commitment to the program. The IKFF sets the global standard for kettlebell education, continually evolving through intelligent, progressive approaches to athletic training and conditioning.
The IKFF Philosophy
The International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation (IKFF), founded by the late Steve Cotter, is a globally respected body devoted to the art and practice of kettlebell training. The IKFF champions a holistic approach to fitness, where body and mind are developed together through education, certification, events, and shared practice.
At the heart of the system is the Certified Kettlebell Trainer (CKT) course, which sets a clear standard for safe, effective, and skilful kettlebell training. The course guides coaches in the craft of teaching kettlebells to both the fitness-minded and sporting public, with an emphasis on precision, efficiency, and mindful movement.
The CKT explores kettlebell practice in depth, revealing the subtle technical layers that underpin true mastery. Rather than chasing short-term results, it offers a principles-based path toward sustainable strength, conditioning, and lifelong fitness. Rooted in the IKFF’s holistic philosophy, the system unites body and mind and is structured around five core pillars, designed to cultivate lasting health, performance, and well-being:
Technique
Breathing
Mobility
Flexibility
Mindset
The Art of Movement
- Swing
- Clean
- Press
- Clean and press
- Jerk
- Long cycle clean and jerk
- Snatch
- Squat
- Assistance drills
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- The classical kettlebell lifts and their variations.
- Learning how to differentiate between the different types of breathing and how to apply them.
- How to properly execute all of the competition lifts involved in Kettlebell Sport.
- How you can still achieve all of your fitness goals despite the challenge of limited time.
- How to design a program for any fitness goal you or your clients may have; strength, endurance, work capacity and mobility.
- Mobility and flexibility work specific to kettlebell training.
- The necessary drills needed to help ensure you and your clients learn all the lifts safely.
- Unique assistance exercises for competition training.
- How to dramatically reduce hand fatigue and tears in the snatch.
- Learn what is YOUR best rack position.
- How kettlebells train your body to effectively manage any type of force encountered in the real world.
- How to create the “blueprint” necessary for achieving mastery in Kettlebell sport.
- Learn how to integrate time-based training and volume based training for extraordinary results.
- Why kettlebells make you more resistant to injury.
- Why learning to regulate your tension is a huge must in improving the efficiency of your lifts.
- Why the neutral hand position allows you to avoid the typical ‘pump’ that is normally associated with high-repetition training.
Skill Check
The IKFF takes pride in cultivating coaches who represent the gold standard in kettlebell instruction. For this reason, the requirements to achieve CKT Level 1 are exacting.
All candidates must successfully complete a thorough assessment, demonstrating mastery of the Level 1 lifts with attention to form, technique, and understanding. This ensures every coach moves and teaches safely, efficiently, and skillfully.
In addition, candidates are required to meet the Level 1 fitness standards as below. These serve not as an endpoint, but as a foundation — a building block for ongoing growth, skill, and lifelong progression in kettlebell practice.
During the coaching assessment, you’ll have the opportunity to lead a relaxed 20-minute session with a student, exploring one or more techniques and demonstrating your ability to teach with clarity and care.
Men
Hand to hand swing: 20kg x 100 reps.
1 arm clean & press: 20kg x 2 min per hand (4 min set); minimum 8 rpm, 32 reps.
Snatch: 20kg x 60 reps, 1 hand switch.
Front squat: 20kg x 2 min, 15 rpm, 30 reps.
Women
Hand to hand swing: 12kg x 100 reps.
1 arm clean & press: 12kg x 2 min per hand (4 min set); minimum 8 rpm, 32 reps.
Snatch: 12kg x 60 reps, 1 hand switch.
Front Squat: 12kg x 2 min, min 15 rpm, 30 reps.
The above is performed one exercise right after the next with no rest.
Women under 45kg can use 8kg and men under 60kg can use 16kg; men and women over 55 years of age can use 16kg and 8kg respectively.
Should a candidate need further practice to meet one or more Level 1 criteria, they will receive an IKFF Certificate of Participation and can demonstrate mastery at a later stage. This can be achieved by attending a review Level 1 course, testing in person, or submitting video evidence of the corrections, ensuring continued growth and refinement of skill.
With registration for the IKFF CKT1 certification, you will receive:
- Pre-course kettlebell guide
- CKT Level 1 fitness test prep
- Schedule of the course
Life After Learning
- IKFF CKT high-performance T-Shirt
- Numerous kettlebell ebooks
- Use of IKFF logos
- Eligible for continued education
- Member of a globally recognised organisation
Your Path to IKFF Certification
Early bird:
£500 GBP
Existing CKTs less than 3 years:
re-certify for only £150 GBP
Existing CKTs greater than 3 years:
re-certify for only £300 GBP
Alternatively, a private one-to-one IKFF Certification is available for £750.
This is a two day one-to-one certification offered by appointment, please contact me for further details.
For more information about the IKFF CKT Certification
Echoes from Certifications
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“Excellent IKFF L1 weekend thanks! Great tutor, great course, highly recommended”
– Mark Johnson, Whole Health Studio, Gainsborough
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“Doing my IKFF CKT Course has broadened my scope of what’s physically possible with a kettlebell”
– Megan Cox, Axe and Dagger Fitness, Coventry
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“Really enjoyed it and learned a lot. So much fine tuning of technique and efficiency of the movements. There is always so much you can learn”
– Ryan Wells, former Royal Marine and owner of Axe and Dagger Fitness, Coventry
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“Thank you to Mike for guiding me through this. If not for his advise, patience and constantly being positive I wouldn’t have managed to finish the fitness test”
– Manoj Krishan Devasudan, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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“Thanks to Mike Eves for running a great course! I’m going to sleep well tonight”
– Darren Veitch, Survival Instructor, Oxford
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“Thanks Mike for teaching all the fine details”
– Barry Andre, founder of the Rotterdam Kettlebell Academy, Netherlands
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“Learnt so much this weekend from Mike, he’s truly a kettlebell master!”
– Pete Galliot, UK BJJ Champion, Guernsey
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“Mike oozed enthusiasm and professionalism from start to finish. His experience to know exactly how to cue me most effectively/efficiently for the most important technical issues without overwhelming, made it clear to me that he is worthy of the ‘master’ title – a term I see far too often abused these days”
– Martin Lowe, Fitness Trainer and Martial Artist, Brooklyn, United States
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“Throughout my CKT weekend, Mike tirelessly took me through the modules, passionately and patiently explaining how to efficiently use a kettlebell. Amazing weekend with a true expert in his field. “
– Stuart Hook, Kettlebell enthusiast, Swindon
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“I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, it was certainly more of a challenge than I expected, but that’s no bad thing”
– Chris Ashworth, Crossfit Trainer, Halifax
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“Thanks for your excellent coaching, I learnt a lot to reinforce knowledge of kettlebells and not only that, the way you have communicated after the course has also been very helpful with the information you have sent”
– David Popoola, Alphalifting, Birmingham
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“Mike is a very experienced and excellent practitioner and instructor”
– Steve Cotter, IKFF President and Director
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“Mike is one of our very best instructors”
– Ken Blackburn, IKFF International Team Leader, Director of Kettlebell Competitions
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“What a great course and a great bloke/teacher! I will definitely be recommending”
– Declan Barnet, PT and former Royal Marine
Train less. Practice more.
Get in touch with Mike.
United Kingdom
Phone: M: 07754 569353