Long Cycle Definition

Compared across 6 organizations. Long Cycle (Clean & Jerk) Rules category.

Rule Text by Organization

GSU Girevoy Sport Union

Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk): the kettlebells are cleaned from the hanging position (below, in lowered hands) to the rack position at chest level, then jerked overhead to lockout. The full sequence is: clean from hang to rack, jerk from rack to overhead lockout, lower back to hang. One complete clean-and-jerk sequence = 1 repetition. The clean and jerk must be clearly separated — no 'cleaning into the jerk' as a single movement.

IUKL International Union of Kettlebell Lifting

Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk): same rules as the Jerk, except the kettlebells are lowered to the hanging position (below, in lowered hands) after each repetition before the next clean to rack and jerk begins. The full sequence is: clean from hang to rack, jerk from rack to overhead lockout, lower to hang. One complete sequence = 1 repetition. Men use two kettlebells; women use one kettlebell.

IKSFA International Kettlebell Sport & Fitness Academy

Long Cycle consists of a clean from below the knees to the rack position, followed by a jerk from rack to overhead lockout with fixation. The full clean-to-overhead sequence counts as 1 repetition. Men use 2 kettlebells, women use 1 kettlebell (alternating hands).

IKMF International Kettlebell Marathon Federation

Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk): The kettlebell is cleaned from below the waist to the rack position, then jerked overhead with fixation. The full clean-to-overhead sequence counts as 1 repetition. A repetition starts from below the waist.

IKO International Kettlebell Organization

Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk): Two kettlebells (men) or one kettlebell (women) are cleaned from knee level to chest level (rack), then jerked to above the head. The full clean-to-overhead sequence counts as 1 repetition.

WKSF World Kettlebell Sport Federation

Long Cycle must be executed according to Jerk rules, bringing the kettlebells to the dead point behind the knees after each raise. Oscillatory thrust towards the dead point and the rack position return can only be performed once per raise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Girevoy Sport Union (GSU) define long cycle definition?

Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk): the kettlebells are cleaned from the hanging position (below, in lowered hands) to the rack position at chest level, then jerked overhead to lockout. The full sequence is: clean from hang to rack, jerk from rack to overhead lockout, lower back to hang. One complete clean-and-jerk sequence = 1 repetition. The clean and jerk must be clearly separated — no 'cleaning into the jerk' as a single movement.

How does International Union of Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL) define long cycle definition?

Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk): same rules as the Jerk, except the kettlebells are lowered to the hanging position (below, in lowered hands) after each repetition before the next clean to rack and jerk begins. The full sequence is: clean from hang to rack, jerk from rack to overhead lockout, lower to hang. One complete sequence = 1 repetition. Men use two kettlebells; women use one kettlebell.

How does International Kettlebell Sport & Fitness Academy (IKSFA) define long cycle definition?

Long Cycle consists of a clean from below the knees to the rack position, followed by a jerk from rack to overhead lockout with fixation. The full clean-to-overhead sequence counts as 1 repetition. Men use 2 kettlebells, women use 1 kettlebell (alternating hands).

How does International Kettlebell Marathon Federation (IKMF) define long cycle definition?

Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk): The kettlebell is cleaned from below the waist to the rack position, then jerked overhead with fixation. The full clean-to-overhead sequence counts as 1 repetition. A repetition starts from below the waist.

How does International Kettlebell Organization (IKO) define long cycle definition?

Long Cycle (Clean and Jerk): Two kettlebells (men) or one kettlebell (women) are cleaned from knee level to chest level (rack), then jerked to above the head. The full clean-to-overhead sequence counts as 1 repetition.

How does World Kettlebell Sport Federation (WKSF) define long cycle definition?

Long Cycle must be executed according to Jerk rules, bringing the kettlebells to the dead point behind the knees after each raise. Oscillatory thrust towards the dead point and the rack position return can only be performed once per raise.

See the interactive comparison on KETTLEBELL MONSTER™ for filterable views and more detail.

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