About International Kettlebell University

Our Mission

International Kettlebell University exists to professionalize kettlebell education worldwide. We set the standard for how kettlebell technique is taught, assessed, and certified — and we build the platforms that make that education accessible to anyone, anywhere.

We believe kettlebell training is the most effective single-tool training system available. But only when taught correctly. That's why our certifications have a 30% pass rate — we don't rubber-stamp credentials. Every assessment is personally reviewed. Every certified trainer has demonstrated real physical competence.

Our Training Philosophy

IKU is not Hardstyle. IKU is not Sportstyle. IKU is its own discipline — one that includes both and goes far beyond either. Hardstyle focuses on power and strength through a handful of exercises. Sportstyle focuses on endurance through competition lifts. Between those two schools lies a vast space of kettlebell training that neither covers: complexes, advanced multi-exercise combos, flows, juggling, hypertrophy work, AMRAP and for-time formats, hybrid mobility and intensity cycles, and training methods that do not fit neatly into any federation.

Our founder holds certifications across every major system — StrongFirst SFG2, IKFF, Russian Girevoy Sport Institute, IKSFA, and more. The biomechanics are the biomechanics, regardless of which federation teaches them. We built IKU to teach all of it, because limiting yourself to one school means missing most of what the kettlebell has to offer.

Who We Are

Taco Fleur created all of it, together with co-founder Anna Junghans. Every workout was created under Cavemantraining. IKU, International Kettlebell University, is the company above it all, and the one that has taken over education, certification and proficiency. KETTLEBELL MONSTER is the ecosystem where everything is presented. Today, IKU-certified trainers around the world teach and coach it with us.

Continuity and current structure

Cavemantraining began the kettlebell education work in 2009; it is the origin brand for the content, books and workouts. Before its release, the KETTLEBELL MONSTER concept appeared at KettlebellExercises.fitness as a kettlebell exercise encyclopedia. KETTLEBELL MONSTER was initially released on January 2, 2023. IKU LLC was formed in New Mexico on February 4, 2025.

By the Numbers

Across the Cavemantraining and IKU education history, 26,000+ students have trained with us. We have published 20+ books and courses and developed 250+ professional workouts. Selected courses offer NASM continuing education. Our students have left over 2,000 verified reviews across multiple platforms.

Founded by Taco Fleur

The education work is led by Taco Fleur, a kettlebell coach, author, and educator with over 15 years of experience. Taco holds multiple certifications and has authored more than 20 books on kettlebell training. He personally reviews every certification assessment and is directly involved in course development.

Taco's approach is grounded in biomechanics and practical coaching — not trends. His goal from day one has been to create a system where trainers are genuinely competent, not just certified.