Encyclopedia of Kettlebell Lifting Review – Expert Guide
Quick Verdict
Pros
- 8 hours of instruction covers everything from basic swings to advanced Olympic-style kettlebell lifts
- Over 180 techniques give you a library you'll keep coming back to for months
- Steve Cotter brings clear, methodical explanations and a calm teaching style that works for all levels
- Organised into progressive chapters so you can build skills methodically without feeling lost
- No subscription or streaming required — the disc works on any DVD player or computer
- Multiple camera angles and slow-motion replays let you catch details you might miss in real-time instruction
Cons
- DVD format feels dated; no streaming option or digital download may frustrate modern buyers
- 8 hours of content can be overwhelming at first — beginners may not know where to start
- Steve Cotter is a respected instructor but less mainstream-famous than names like Pavel Tsatsouline, which some buyers may find underwhelming
- A few transitions between chapters feel abrupt, breaking immersion during longer sessions
- No equipment-specific guidance beyond technique — you still need to source your own kettlebell weights
Quick Verdict
The Encyclopedia of Kettlebell Lifting is a genuinely comprehensive kettlebell training resource — 8 hours of guided instruction and over 180 techniques make it one of the most detailed DVDs in this category. Steve Cotter's methodical teaching style keeps things clear without talking down to the viewer. It is not the most convenient format in 2024, and the sheer volume of content can overwhelm a total beginner, but for anyone serious about mastering kettlebell lifting at home, this DVD earns its place on the shelf. We rate it 4.2 out of 5.
What Is the Encyclopedia of Kettlebell Lifting?
The disc landed on my desk on a Thursday afternoon — a plain DVD case, no-nonsense cover art, Steve Cotter's name in bold across the front. No streaming, no app, no QR code. I put it in my laptop and settled in. Eight hours of kettlebell instruction sounds like a lot, and it is, but Cotter has clearly structured the programme to reward patience. Rather than throwing you into workouts, the first chapters rebuild the foundation: how to stand, how to breathe, where your weight sits in the foot, why the hip hinge matters before the kettlebell even moves.
Over the following two weeks I worked through the programme in the evenings after my regular sessions. Some chapters felt like a university lecture — dense and demanding — while others, particularly the slow-motion breakdown of the snatch, were genuinely illuminating. This is not a kettlebell workout video in the Netflix-sense. It is closer to a reference manual you can watch, which is exactly what many people buying a kettlebell training resource actually need.
Key Features
- 8 hours of guided kettlebell instruction across progressive chapters
- Over 180 kettlebell techniques demonstrated in full and in slow motion
- Steve Cotter as lead instructor with clear, biomechanically informed cues
- Structured progression from foundational movement to advanced Olympic lifts
- Multiple camera angles including close-up detail shots of grip and foot placement
- No internet connection required — works offline on any DVD player or computer
- Appropriate for beginners through to intermediate and advanced trainees
Hands-On Review
I will be honest: the first 40 minutes of the Encyclopedia of Kettlebell Lifting tested my patience. Cotter is thorough — perhaps overly thorough if you are already past the basics — and I found myself skipping ahead to the clean and press sequences. But when I circled back, the foundational material started to pay off. By the third session I noticed I was applying cues from the breathing chapter to my deadlift, which is not something a typical kettlebell workout video delivers.
The swing variations section is the strongest part of the programme in my experience. Cotter breaks down the Russian swing and the American swing with clear explanations of the hip mechanics that drive the movement — something a lot of online tutorials gloss over. I used the kettlebell clean chapter as a warm-up reference for two weeks and my form improved measurably: fewer wrist bumps, smoother rack positions, cleaner locks.
Where the programme lags is in the transitions. Some chapters cut abruptly from one technique to the next, and the visual design is firmly in the mid-2000s DVD aesthetic — functional, not beautiful. For a viewer used to polished streaming production this can feel underwhelming. That said, production polish is irrelevant if the instruction is solid, and Cotter delivers on that front.
What surprised me was the Olympic section near the end. I had not expected a kettlebell DVD to cover kettlebell snatches and jerks with this level of detail, let alone with multiple camera angles showing the full body line. These chapters alone are worth the runtime for anyone preparing for kettlebell sport or strongman-style events.
Who Should Buy It?
This is a solid fit if you want to build a serious, long-term kettlebell practice at home without paying for an ongoing subscription. The programme rewards repeated viewing, and after the first pass you will keep coming back to specific technique chapters as your skill grows. It works well as a reference alongside a broader training programme — think of it as a technician's manual, not a motivational workout video.
Trainers working with clients on kettlebell fundamentals will also find value here. The progressive structure makes it easy to assign chapters as homework or use the breakdown clips during sessions.
That said, skip this if you want a quick 20-minute cardio session you can press play on and follow blindly — this is not that. You need to be willing to study, pause, rewind and try again. It also requires a kettlebell to use alongside it, so factor in the cost of equipment before committing to the DVD.
Streamers and digital-first buyers who expect app integration, bookmarking and offline downloads will find the DVD format frustrating. Consider whether you actually prefer physical media before buying.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If the physical DVD format feels outdated or you prefer the flexibility of streaming, Pavel Tsatsouline's Enter the Kettlebell remains a benchmark instructional for the Russian kettlebell swing and Turkish get-up, with a more streamlined approach suited to general fitness rather than technical mastery.
For a more modern production feel and shorter-format workouts, Jay Ferruggia's Renegade Kettlebell Training offers a higher-energy style with conditioning circuits built in rather than pure technique reference.
Those specifically interested in kettlebell sport (GS-style lifting) may also want to look at Marty Davila's Kettlebell Sport instructional series, which focuses on the longer duration sets and breathing techniques used in competition.
FAQ
Yes — the program starts from the very basics, including proper grip, stance and breathing before progressing to movement patterns. That said, the sheer volume of content can feel intimidating at first. We recommend starting with the foundational chapters and working forward gradually rather than trying to absorb everything in one session.
Final Verdict
The Encyclopedia of Kettlebell Lifting is not flashy, and that is part of its appeal. It prioritises depth over style, and for a viewer willing to put in the time, the pay-off is genuine technical knowledge that translates directly to better kettlebell lifting. Steve Cotter's instruction is methodical and honest — he tells you what to look for and why it matters, which is more than can be said for many fitness DVDs at any price point. The DVD format will put some buyers off, but offline access and no subscription fees mean this is a one-time investment that keeps delivering.