The road to hell and all of that aside. Do you give any thought to what you intend to do with a Kettlebell or barbell before you pick it up? Your intent with a particular action is important.

     In kettlebell training the swing and the snatch are similar exercises. It is your intent during the movement that is different. You are still hanging onto the bell with one hand, and you are still using your hips to propel the KB. However, in the snatch your intent is vertical, resulting in the KB being locked out overhead vs. the swing in which you project the KB out in an arc away from you.

     This difference in intent is present when a new girevik tries to "swing" the KB to the top and bangs his/her wrist. When you intend to swing the KB out, you have very little hope of being able to "punch through" and smoothly catch the KB at the top. Compare this to a girevik who intends to move the KB more vertically. The path of the KB, while still somewhat of an arc, is more vertical which allows for the appropriate "punch though" as the KB turns over at the top.

     In Olympic lifting, the intent of the lifter is not to lift the barbell overhead but lifting it high enough in order to get underneath the bar -- hence the dip. Present in the snatch and the clean and jerk, the dip is the intent of getting underneath the bar in action. Those unfamiliar with Olympic lifting intend to lift the bar overhead in one motion, which results in locked legs, no dip and (typically) an unsuccessful lift.

     The difference in intent between a push press and a jerk is also important. A push press intends to place the KB or barbell overhead. A jerk intends to get you underneath the KB or barbell. There are many examples of this type of difference in intent but hopefully it is clear - what you intend to do with an object will affect your performance and the outcome of a movement.

     Another aspect of intent is the application of force. A good example is the empty suitcase you are told weighs 100#. You would pressurize and promptly throw the suitcase into the ceiling. You intended to lift a much heavier object and therefor applied too much force.
     In KB lifting this becomes apparent in the snatch vs. swing. In the snatch you will apply an aggressive hip snap that will result in the KB propelling to a point over your head. In the clean, you need only apply enough hip snap to propel the KB to your shoulder. When learning the clean, a new girevik will apply near the same intent to the two movements and as a result, send the KB crashing into their shoulder.

     The intention of moving an object as quickly as possible even if it is too heavy to be moved quickly is important. You must continue to accelerate even when you move at a crawl. This grinding acceleration must be performed with intent. It does make a difference. The body will try to accommodate the need to accelerate the KB or bar IF you ask it to do so.
Why does intent make a difference? Without being overly complicated - it makes a difference because our bodies are wired to create movement. If we get out of the way and let our bodies put our intent into motion, we will usually succeed. Watch the pure movements of a young child. Without receiving instruction or correction, they will eventually find the correct pattern.

     Before everyone starts sending me email, this does not mean if we simply intend to do "something" we will excel at it. But it does mean that we tend to over conceptualize aspects of basic human movement. Dissecting every degree of movement is the recipe for paralysis by analysis.

     "Understanding is a delaying tactic." Wanting to understand minute details of neurology and physiology will only aid you in delaying your progress. In the end, the weight still needs your intention and action to move it to accomplish your goals.

     Hopefully this will aid some people in their journey by clearing the path and allowing their bodies natural movement to guide them to their goals. Move with intent!

Brett Jones is a Senior Russian Kettlebell instructor based near Pittsburgh, PA. He found In Motion Athletics, which is a group and individual conditioning service utilizing movement based solutions to release the athlete inside of you. You can check out his website at www.inmotionathletics.com.