6th Annual · 2026 American Kettlebell Lifters Union (AKLU) National Championship
Twin Cities
Kettlebell Open
2026
September 12, 2026 · NorthBound Training · Little Canada, MN
Calling all kettlebell drengir!!! We are BACK for our 6th annual Twin Cities Kettlebell Open!!! This year's competition will serve as the 2026 AKLU National Championship.
Compete in person or via video submission. AKLU-sanctioned, World Kettlebell Sport Federation (WKSF) affiliated.
Register NowEvent Details
Date
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Venue
NorthBound Training
3225 Country Dr. Suite 140
Little Canada, MN 55117
How to Compete
In Person · Video Submission
Sanctioning
2026 AKLU National Championship
WKSF-affiliated
Kids Division
$5 per event for any youth lifter under the age of 14. Pre-registration required.
Registration Pricing
One fee covers up to 3 events. Additional events $50 each.
About the Twin Cities Kettlebell Open
The Twin Cities Kettlebell Open has been a big competition since year one. It has served as the WKSF North American Championship twice, and this year it will be the AKLU National Championship.
North America's best will be here in the Twin Cities, hosted by our friends at NorthBound Training. Whether you compete in person or via video submission, this is one of the longest-running kettlebell sport competitions in the region.
Official Events
Kettlebell Sport Events · 30 min, 12 min, 10 min, & 5 min
Jerk
Double bell for men and women
Long Cycle
Double bell for men and women
Snatch
Single bell
Biathlon
Jerk (double) + Snatch (single) — counts as two events
One-Arm Long Cycle
Single bell for men and women
½ Marathon
Snatch, Half Snatch, Jerk, or Long Cycle
12 Minute Military Snatch
Kettlebell Weights
Kettlebells will be provided, but you can also bring your own to have certified for use when you weigh in.
Men12KG*, 16KG, 20KG, 24KG, 28KG, 32KG
Women8KG*, 12KG, 16KG, 20KG, 24KG, 28KG
*Men can compete with the 12kg and women with the 8kg, but no rank will be awarded based on AKLU Ranking Tables.
Victors' Spoils
In Person Only
To the victors' go the spoils! We are proud to offer a cash purse for the top in-person performers in the competition.
How It Works
In Person Lifters
Weigh-ins Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Rules overview Saturday at noon.
First flight begins at 1:00 PM.
Certificates handed out to in-person lifters and emailed to remote participants.
Prizes awarded after all video submission and in-person sets have been judged.
Video Submission Lifters
To keep the competition as accessible as possible, we offer competitors the option to compete via video submission.
Video submissions will be accepted beginning one week before the in-person competition until the night before the live event.
We utilize YouTube for video submissions and have a private Facebook group for judging. If you don't have Facebook, you can send your video link via email.
Photo Gallery
2022–2025 · NorthBound Training · Little Canada, MN
Travel & Lodging
The Twin Cities are very accessible by car, train, or plane. NorthBound Training is centrally located ~20 minutes from downtown St. Paul or Minneapolis, just off I-694 and between I-35E and I-35W.
Recommended Hotels
Hilton Garden Inn, Shoreview
Best Western Plus, Shoreview
Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Vadnais Heights
5–10 minutes from NorthBound Training · 20–25 minutes from MSP International Airport.
Staying Downtown?
NorthBound Training is about a $20–30 Uber/Lyft ride from either downtown where there are many hotels available. If you prefer public transit there are train lines and buses from the airport that will take you to either downtown.
Explore the Twin Cities
Parks & Lakes
Vadnais-Sucker Lake Regional Park
Chain of Lakes (3 connected lakes in Minneapolis!)
Como Park Zoo (free entry)
Breweries & Distilleries
Surly Brewing
Fulton Brewery
Summit Brewery
Modist Brewing
Bauhaus Brew Labs
Pryes Brewing
Sociable Cider Werks
O'Shaughnessy Distilling
Du Nord Social Spirits
Sports, Shopping & Culture
Mall of America
US Bank Stadium (Vikings)
Grand Casino Arena (Wild)
Allianz Field (MN United FC)
Target Field (Twins)
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Walker Art Center
Guthrie Theater
Mill City Museum
American Swedish Institute
Register
Registration for the Twin Cities Kettlebell Open 2026 is open. Select your events, pay online, and you're in.
Register NowQuestions?
Reach out at twincitieskettlebellclub@gmail.com or through the contact form.