The One Hour Long Cycle is an annual event that features both amateur and professional kettlebell lifters exercising in solidarity for a charitable cause. Anyone is allowed to participate as an individual or part of a team. While there are several locations that participants can go to, this event can also be done in the comfort of one’s own home.
A long cycle, which is the combination of the clean and jerk kettlebell moves, can be performed with one or two hands. Given the long duration of this event, I suspect that most everyone performed the one-handed variation. Still, a long cycle for an hour is a very challenging task!
Although this event has already passed, the official website is filled with information, videos, and testimonials that focus on the history and awareness that One Hour Long Cycle brings.
1HLC Founder on This Year’s Event
Kettlebell Lifting for a Good Cause
Donations and fundraising for this year’s One Hour Long Cycle is for the benefit of the Walk With Sally program. This program was created to aid children who have a family member battling cancer. These children are supported by the program through volunteers who provide mentorship.
Last year, Walk With Sally was also the beneficiary of the proceeds from One Hour Long Cycle. That event raised over $30,000 from 9 different countries. I’m hoping to see both of those numbers surpassed for this year. For a one-hour event, that’s not a bad haul.
Unfortunately, having a prior commitment and learning about it after the fact prevented my participation. The least I can do is to help spread awareness so that people can be ready for next year. Kettlebells have changed my life in such a positive way. It seems only fitting that if exercising with them can help ease the burden of others, that I do everything possible to make that happen.
