I lift kettlebells and I technically have a kettlebell certification of some sort around here. But not 1 of the big organizations that charge $1500 per weekend.
But, why is it that when asked for hypertrophy plans, all these kettlebell coaches offer the following:
1. Overly complex set & rep schemes
2. Overly simplifying exercise selection (minimal exercises, leaving many muscle groups pretty much untouched)
Sure these may be fun, minimalist high volume programs. But high volume training is not directly correlated to hypertrophy or body building if the basic principles of hypertrophy are ignored (progressive overload, taking sets close to failure, etc). In fact, high volume training can actually negatively affect effective hypertrophy training for many people.
Kettlebells are similar to dumbbells in load and practice.
When someone asks me how to build muscle with kettlebells, I DO NOT tell them to just squat and press using a complex, chain, or cluster reps. Though, cluster reps ARE a fine option if your bells are too heavy to do 6+ reps of an exercise.
But most people have bells they can lift for various exercises in the 6+ rep range.
So my advice is the same as any hypertrophy advice I give, whether you're using barbells, machines, dumbbells, or goats (bodyweight is a little different in that higher rep ranges MAY be needed to get close to failure):
1. Do an exercise for all 6 major movement patterns (squat, hinge, horizontal push, horizontal pull, vertical push, vertical pull)
2. Do 2-5 sets per exercise (I prefer 2-3)
3. Do moderate reps per set and take each set close to failure with that moderate (5-15) rep range
4. Include isolation exercises for biceps, triceps, and calves. Maybe add in some isolations for hamstring flexion and quad extensions (Nordic hamstring curls and kettlebell heel elevated/toe squats work if you have only kettlebells and bodyweight). If you REALLY want hypertrophy, you must train each muscle directly. So while hamstring and quad isolations aren't absolutely necessary, bicep curls, triceps isolations of some sort, and calf raises of some sort are.
5. Consider splitting up your training into multiple sessions to make hypertrophy training more manageable. Doing 6-12 exercises per session while taking each set close to failure is going to be a real bear, and it's going to take a long time. Split it up into 2-5 individual sessions, however you'd like.
That's what you should do. And the kettlebell, along with basic bodyweight exercises, can get the job done perfectly fine.
Stop over complicating hypertrophy training, regardless of what equipment you have.
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