All 52 competition rules from International Kettlebell Lifting Federation (IKLF), organized by category.
BOLT is designed to be more accessible to beginners while still offering elite-level challenge. Key accessibility features: (1) athlete chooses their own KB weight, (2) bell can be set down during the set, (3) unlimited hand switches, (4) volume-base...
In BOLT, athletes choose their own kettlebell weight for competition. This is a fundamental difference from traditional Girevoy Sport, which prescribes kettlebell weights per rank level and gender. Any kettlebell weight can be used, but a minimum ket...
In BOLT, athletes can set the bell down between repetitions. This is a fundamental difference from traditional Girevoy Sport, where setting the bell down terminates the set. Setting the bell down in BOLT allows lifters to rest and resume lifting with...
IKLF holds annual BOLT USA National Championships, offered in both online and in-person formats. The 2025 championship offers both competition formats for maximum accessibility.
IKLF holds annual BOLT World Championships. BOLT Worlds 2024 took place September 1-7, 2024. The event features all BOLT disciplines and multi-event challenges including Iron Man and Triathlons.
BOLT offers six competition lifts: (1) Single Kettlebell Snatch, (2) Single Kettlebell Jerk, (3) Single Kettlebell Clean and Jerk (Long Cycle), (4) Double Kettlebell Snatch, (5) Double Kettlebell Jerk, (6) Double Kettlebell Clean and Jerk (Long Cycle...
Both men and women can compete in all six BOLT events, including all double kettlebell lifts. There is no restriction on which events a gender can enter. This was a founding principle of the IKLF when most other organizations restricted women to sing...
The BOLT Iron Man requires performing all six lifts in increments of 10 minutes each, with a resting period of 10 to 20 minutes between sets. This rewards lifters who train comprehensively and have great endurance.
For double kettlebell events, the total weight per rep is the combined weight of both kettlebells. For example, with 2x20kg bells: weight per rep = 40kg. Base Volume = 40 x 40 = 1,600kg. The formula is the same; the 'total weight of kettlebell(s)' in...
Example: Athlete uses 2x20kg kettlebells, completes 80 reps. Total KB weight per rep = 40kg. Base Volume = 40 x 40 = 1,600kg. Raw Volume = 80 x 40 = 3,200kg. Final Score = 4,800kg.
Example: Athlete uses 16kg kettlebell, completes 150 reps. Base Volume = 40 x 16 = 640kg. Raw Volume = 150 x 16 = 2,400kg. Final Score = 3,040kg. Note: Despite getting 50 more reps than the 24kg athlete, the 16kg athlete scores lower due to the base ...
Example: Athlete uses 24kg kettlebell, completes 100 reps. Base Volume = 40 x 24 = 960kg. Raw Volume = 100 x 24 = 2,400kg. Final Score = 3,360kg.
IVSS Formula: Final Score = Base Volume + Raw Volume. Base Volume = 40 x (total weight of kettlebell(s) in kg). Raw Volume = repetitions x (weight per rep in kg). The base volume 'head start' rewards athletes who choose heavier kettlebells, leveling ...
BOLT uses the IKLF Volume Scoring System (IVSS), which is volume-based, not rep-based. The final score represents the total kilograms lifted during a set. This is fundamentally different from traditional Girevoy Sport, which counts repetitions. IVSS ...
A kettlebell unintentionally lost (dropped) that remains on the platform does not end the set. The athlete can pick it up and continue lifting.
BOLT allows any kettlebell weight to be used in competition, unlike traditional Girevoy Sport which prescribes specific weights (e.g., 32kg for professional men, 24kg for professional women). However, each rank level has a minimum kettlebell weight r...
IKLF offers online kettlebell competitions (Lift Online) where athletes can compete remotely by submitting video. This allows global participation without traveling to an in-person event.
If the kettlebell falls or rolls outside the platform, the set is ended and the score achieved to that point holds. This is the primary set-termination condition in BOLT.
IKLF has a rep cap in place to limit how many repetitions can be performed during a competition set. The purpose of this limit is to slow down the set so it is more likely a lifter will be able to demonstrate proper lockout and fixation. The specific...
In multi-event formats (Iron Man, KT1, KT2), the rest period between sets is 10 to 20 minutes.
Each lifter competes against anyone of the same gender and weight class performing that lift, regardless of the weight of the kettlebells the other lifters are using. The IVSS formula ensures fair comparison across different kettlebell weight choices...
BOLT Marathon endurance events range from 30 minutes to 6 hours.
BOLT Sprint events are 5 minutes.
Standard BOLT competition sets are 10 minutes.
A BOLT set terminates when: (1) the time limit expires, or (2) a kettlebell falls or rolls outside the platform. Unlike traditional Girevoy Sport, setting the bell down on the platform does NOT terminate the set. A kettlebell that is dropped but rema...
IKLF's proprietary sport is called BOLT (Believe, Overcome, Lift, Triumph). BOLT is fundamentally different from traditional Girevoy Sport (GS). It is a speed and power event with volume-based scoring, rather than a pure endurance event with rep-base...
If two lifters in the same weight class achieve the same final IVSS score: (1) the lifter using the heavier kettlebell wins; (2) if both lifters are using the same weight kettlebell, the lifter with the lighter bodyweight wins.
Kettlebell Triathlon 1 (KT1): All three single kettlebell lifts (Single Snatch, Single Jerk, Single Clean and Jerk) performed in increments of 10 minutes each with a resting period of 10 to 20 minutes between sets.
Kettlebell Triathlon 2 (KT2): All three double kettlebell lifts (Double Snatch, Double Jerk, Double Clean and Jerk) performed in increments of 10 minutes each with a resting period of 10 to 20 minutes between sets.
BOLT eliminates the 'one switch' rule used in traditional Girevoy Sport. Athletes can switch hands as many times as they want within the set time limit. This makes the sport more accessible while still rewarding endurance and strength.
BOLT's volume-based scoring (IVSS) rewards total work capacity rather than just rep count. An athlete who chooses a heavier bell and does fewer reps may score higher than one who uses a lighter bell with more reps. This encourages progressive overloa...
BOLT female weight classes: 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 68kg, 75kg, 75+kg. Seven weight classes total.
BOLT male weight classes: 63kg, 68kg, 73kg, 78kg, 85kg, 95kg, 95+kg. Seven weight classes total.
BOLT uses the same category names for men and women but with different weight ranges: Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight, and Unlimited. Men approximate ranges: Lightweight (up to ~68-73kg), Middleweight (~73-85kg), Heavyweight (~85-95kg), Unlimi...
For online competition video submissions: Must include lifter's bodyweight shown on a scale, and kettlebell weights shown on a scale. The lifter's body and kettlebells should be in frame for the duration of the attempt.
Judging at BOLT competitions is based on whether the athlete achieves fixation in the overhead position, meaning both the bell and the lifter freeze for a moment in time with all the joints locked out and in proper alignment. Additionally, the lifter...
Video submission counting will be strict, and no appeals are accepted. The judge's count is final.
Fixation in BOLT is when both the bell and the lifter freeze for a moment in time with all the joints locked out and in proper alignment in the overhead position. Fixation is the primary judging criterion for counting a valid repetition.
The free hand cannot be used to complete a repetition. Using the free hand to assist in pressing or stabilizing the kettlebell overhead results in a no-count. For example, using the free hand to help complete a press results in the lifter receiving a...
All overhead lifts require full lockout: the arm(s) must be fully extended with the kettlebell(s) stable overhead. The lifter and kettlebell must achieve fixation (momentary freeze) with all joints locked out and in proper alignment.
The lifter must demonstrate knee lockout when the bells are in the rack position. The knees must be straight and locked before initiating the next jerk or overhead movement.
On Double Jerk lifts, both arms must reach the lockout position at the same time. If one arm straightens after the other, that repetition cannot be counted.
BOLT offers both Single Kettlebell Jerk and Double Kettlebell Jerk as separate competition events. Both men and women may compete in either variant.
There is a mandatory rack position lockout between jerks. Lifters must demonstrate control in the rack position by locking out the knees. Similar to overhead fixation, the weights must stop moving in the rack position before initiating the next rep.
BOLT offers both Single Kettlebell Clean and Jerk and Double Kettlebell Clean and Jerk as separate competition events. Both men and women may compete in either variant.
In Clean and Jerk events, if the free hand is used to recover a kettlebell falling out of rack position, the lifter must perform the clean again for the repetition to count. The clean portion must be fully completed before the jerk can be initiated.
BOLT offers both Single Kettlebell Snatch and Double Kettlebell Snatch as separate competition events. Both men and women may compete in either variant. IKLF was the first organization to allow women to compete in double kettlebell snatch.
In BOLT snatch events (single kettlebell), athletes can switch hands as many times as they want. This eliminates the traditional Girevoy Sport 'one switch' rule where athletes could only switch hands once during a 10-minute set.
For the base 'Rank' level, a minimum kettlebell weight of 16kg is required (confirmed from IKLF documentation example). Using a kettlebell lighter than 16kg disqualifies the lifter from achieving Rank, regardless of volume score.
Each rank level has a minimum kettlebell weight requirement. If a lifter uses a kettlebell lighter than the minimum for a rank, they cannot achieve that rank even if their volume score meets the threshold. Example from IKLF documentation: 'If a lifte...
BOLT ranks are achieved based on IVSS volume score thresholds, not rep counts. Each rank level has a minimum volume score requirement that varies by weight class and gender. The specific thresholds could not be extracted while iklf.org is down.
BOLT ranking tiers from lowest to highest: (1) Rank - entry-level achievement, (2) Semi Pro - intermediate level, (3) Pro - advanced level, (4) Pro Plus - elite-level achievement, (5) Elite - highest tier. This is completely different from the tradit...
Official website: https://www.iklf.org