Credentials / StrongFirst

SFG I StrongFirst Kettlebell Instructor Certification

SFG Icertificationverifiedby StrongFirst· Compare
Verified: this record was checked against its official source. Last verified 2026-09-03. 8 sources on file.

At a glance

Credential type
certification
Status
active
Target professional
Coaches, personal trainers, athletes, warfighters and hard-training individuals seeking to teach kettlebell lifting
Country
unknown
Official page
https://www.strongfirst.com/certifications/sfg-i-kettlebell-instructor-information/
Recertification page
https://www.strongfirst.com/recertification/
Categories
Personal Training, Conditioning, Kettlebells, Strength & Conditioning

Accreditation

No accreditation on record — status unknown. Absence of a claim is recorded honestly rather than guessed.

Eligibility & examination

Eligibility

Minimum age
unknown
Education
unknown
Degree required
no
Experience
No formal experience prerequisite stated, but candidates must have "basic proficiency" in the six foundational kettlebell movements before attending; strongly recommended to learn the basic six skills from an SFG Instructor or attend a StrongFirst Kettlebell Course. Suggested strength readiness: men able to comfortably press a pair of 24kg kettlebells for multiple sets of 5, women a pair of 16kg.
CPR/AED
unknown
Other prerequisites
Attendance at the 3-day SFG I certification event; candidates must be able to test with the kettlebell weight assigned by gender/age/bodyweight (e.g., 24kg for men 68-100kg, 16kg for women over 59kg).

Testing exemptions from strength/technique tests may be granted case-by-case for highly accomplished national/international coaches or athletes with chronic injury, and for veteran military, law enforcement, and first responders. Candidates may also attend without testing. Credential is valid for two years.

Examination

Format
In-person practical testing at the 3-day event: technique testing of six foundational skills (swing, double clean, press, double front squat, snatch, get-up), teaching-skill demonstration, a kettlebell snatch test on the last day, plus a written test based on the course manual.
Online exam
unknown
Testing center
not_applicable
Length
unknown
Questions
unknown
Passing score
Snatch test: 100 snatches in 5 minutes (both arms combined) for Open Class and Masters; 50 in 3 minutes for Seniors (65+). Must also exhibit safe/efficient technique in foundation skills, good judgment, strong spirit, effective teaching skills, and professional conduct. Attempt disqualified after three 'No count' reps.
Attempts included
unknown
Retake policy
Candidates who fail fewer than 4 test skills may submit any failed skills or the snatch test to their Team Leader within a 90 day/3 month window following the SFG Certification. A 25-35% failure rate is typical; those who fail have an opportunity to pass later.

Renewal & CEU requirements

2 yr
renewal cycle
$500
renewal
Recertification required
yes
CEU unit system
unknown
Ethics requirement
unknown
CPR/AED at renewal
unknown
Deadline rule
Must be registered for a recertification option prior to the current expiration date shown on the instructor profile page; otherwise the credential is expired and only re-attendance options apply.

SFG credential is valid two years. Recertification is by re-testing physical skills, not continuing education units. Options: attend your next StrongFirst Certification, apply for onsite recertification at a Special Event (often included at no additional cost for currently certified instructors), apply to assist at a StrongFirst Certification (no tuition), or use the Online Recertification platform (eligibility rules apply). Unified Recertification lets multiple modalities be recertified at one event for one price; SFG I recertification testing = SFG I skills + snatch test. Instructors holding all four certifications (StrongFirst Elite) receive a three-year expiration when passing the Elite Unified Recertification. Expired instructors may re-attend a previously held certification ($750, proof of expired certification required; online recert and cert-assistant paths not eligible) or register for a new certification at current price.

Pathway

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Sources (8)

Latest verification activity: initial verification → confirmed (2026-09-06) · reverification → confirmed (2026-09-06) · initial verification → confirmed (2026-09-06) · initial verification → confirmed (2026-09-04) · reverification → confirmed (2026-09-03)

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