About the series
The Kettlebell Series is an international competition format designed for athletes who want to test their strength, conditioning and technical control through the principles of Hardstyle kettlebell training.
Unlike traditional kettlebell sport, which focuses on efficiency and endurance, Hardstyle is defined by maximum tension, explosive power and full-body control in every repetition. The Kettlebell Series brings these principles into a structured, measurable and accessible competition system.
The goal is simple: clear standards, transparent scoring, and a global community of athletes who lift with intent and discipline.
A Competition Built on Hardstyle Principles
Hardstyle kettlebell training is driven by three core ideas:
tension, power, and precision.
Every repetition has a beginning, a clear end, and a defined purpose.
The Series translates these training concepts into two testing formats:
1. Hardstyle Division – The Strength & Control Test
Athletes perform an official flow consisting of fundamental Hardstyle movements such as swings, cleans, presses, snatches and transitions.
The challenge:
ten minutes of work
as many technically clean flow repetitions as possible
without setting the kettlebell down
scored through total training load (reps × weight)
This demands power, grip strength, breathing control and the ability to maintain Hardstyle mechanics under fatigue.
2. Endurance Division – Strength Meets Running Capacity
The Endurance Division blends kettlebell power with aerobic conditioning.
Athletes complete:
five rounds
each consisting of 30 Hardstyle swings
followed by a 400-meter run
scored by total time
This format tests pacing, efficiency, toughness and the ability to transition quickly between explosive and cyclical movement patterns.
Amateur and Pro Divisions
To make the Series accessible to all athletes, both divisions are available in two classes:
Amateur Division
Designed for athletes who are new to kettlebell competitions or prefer lighter weights.
Pro Division
For experienced athletes who want to test themselves with heavier loads and high-intensity Hardstyle flow variations.
Both classes use body-weight-based kettlebell selections to ensure fairness and consistency.
Masters athletes over the age of 50 may use one lighter weight class.
Flows as Standardized Tests
Every season features official flows that define the technical framework of each event.
These flows are named sequences, similar to benchmark workouts in other strength sports.
Examples:
Anna – A balanced Hardstyle flow combining swings, clean and press, snatches, a rack lunge and a hand-to-hand transition
Nik – A unilateral strength pattern featuring rows, staggered cleans, staggered deadlifts, snatches and hand-to-hand transitions
These flows create recognizable standards that can be compared across athletes, countries and seasons.
A Global Community of Hardstyle Athletes
The Series is open to athletes worldwide.
Participation is possible through:
live events
online submissions
seasonal competitions every two months
one-month upload windows for each event
All performances are validated through video submission to ensure fairness and transparency.
Rankings are maintained publicly, using load scores for the Hardstyle Division and finish times for the Endurance Division.
A Simple Structure with Professional Standards
The Kettlebell Series is built to be accessible yet demanding:
clear rules
defined movement standards
transparent scoring
standardized flows
consistent weight classes
validated results
opportunities for progression over time
It is a competition format that rewards discipline, precision and commitment.
It bridges the gap between training and performance by bringing Hardstyle methods into an organized sporting environment.
The Spirit of the Series
The Series stands for:
integrity
discipline
respect for the craft
measurable athletic performance
the pursuit of better movement and stronger bodies
No shortcuts, no unnecessary complexity.
Just pure Hardstyle lifting and honest competition.
Every rep counts. Every movement matters