Group classes
Open-level kettlebell classes taught by instructors trained directly under Dr. Mark Cheng.
Group classes are the most economical way into hardstyle kettlebell training, and for most people the easiest way to stay consistent. Classes are open level — beginners and experienced lifters train together, with the instructor scaling the work.
Instructors run their own schedules independently, and the timetables below reflect classes as they were historically listed on this site rather than a live schedule. Always contact the instructor directly to confirm a current day, time, and location before you turn up. Contact details are on each instructor’s page.
What a group class involves
Sessions typically run about an hour and follow the same shape as any training here: a brief movement check, mobility preparation, technical skill work while you are fresh, then ballistic work — swings and snatches — in intervals, finishing with decompression and breathing.
Nobody is thrown into heavy work on day one. If you have never held a kettlebell, the first class will be largely about the hip hinge, and that is the correct use of your time.
Class locations
Santa Monica — open level kettlebell class
- Instructor
- Anton Summers
- Location
- Clover Park, southwest corner — off 25th Street, next to the tennis courts, Santa Monica
- Format
- Outdoor, open level
- Historic rate
- $20 per session, cash only
- Status
- Confirm directly — Anton now teaches primarily Tai Chi. See his instructor page.
Torrance / South Bay — Kettlebells South Bay
- Founded by
- Joe Chalakee
- Format
- Kettlebells, sandbag, TRX, and battling rope group classes
- Status
- Kettlebells South Bay continues to operate under different ownership since 2014, in Harbor City rather than Torrance. See kettlebellssouthbay.com for its current schedule.
Irvine / Orange County — open level kettlebell classes
- Instructor
- Kingston Heng
- Location
- Kettlebells Orange County, 6608 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
- Status
- No current contact route is available for this class. See the instructor page.
Riverside — East Wind Martial Arts
- Instructor
- Gary Toppins
- Location
- East Wind Martial Arts, Riverside, California
- Status
- Confirm directly before travelling. See Riverside County.
If no class near you is running
Two alternatives are usually better than waiting:
- Private or semi-private training — more expensive per session, but you will learn the lifts faster and can train on your own schedule.
- Find a StrongFirst-certified instructor in your area. Dr. Cheng holds the rank of StrongFirst Certified Master Instructor, and the StrongFirst instructor directory is the closest thing to a like-for-like standard.
Group class questions
What does “open level” mean?
It means beginners and experienced lifters train in the same session, with the instructor assigning different weights, rep schemes, or lift variations to different people. It works because kettlebell training scales cleanly — the same swing is appropriate for a first-timer with an 8 kg bell and for someone experienced with a 32 kg bell.
How much do kettlebell group classes cost?
Classes in this network have historically run around $20 per session, paid at the class. Rates are set independently by each instructor and change over time, so confirm the current price when you make contact.
Do I need my own kettlebell for a group class?
Usually not — instructors typically bring a range of bells so you can be matched to the right weight. Confirm when you book, particularly for outdoor park classes where equipment has to be carried in.
Can a complete beginner join a group class?
Yes. That is what open level is for. Expect your first session to focus almost entirely on the hip hinge and a light swing rather than on heavy lifting. If you would rather not learn in front of a group, private training is the alternative.
Are the classes indoors or outdoors?
Both, depending on the instructor. Park-based classes such as the Santa Monica session at Clover Park are outdoors; studio-based classes in the South Bay and Orange County are indoors. Outdoor classes are weather dependent, which is another reason to confirm before travelling.