In this blog I’m going to list my 7 best kettlebell exercises. I’ve been a great fan of kettlebells when few people had heard of them.
Here are my top 7 kettlebell exercises, the muscles they work, teaching points, alternative options, common mistakes, corrections and a quick youtube clip on how they should be performed.
1. Kettlebell Front Squat
The kettlebell front squat exercise has all the benefits of a traditional front squat and is a good introductory exercise to kettlebells. Holding a kettlebell as compared to a barbell keeps the weight closer to the body making it easier to perform.
Primary Muscles: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal muscles, calves and core
Teaching Points:
- hold the kettlebell in a double handed ‘racked’ position
- feet shoulder width apart
- brace the abdominal and back muscles
- initiate the squat by flexing from the knees and hips
- lower slowly to a comfortable position (thighs parallel to the floor)
- from the bottom position push the ground away keeping the chest lifted throughout to maintain a neutral spine
- keep knees in line with toes and heels down throughout
- return to the standing position and concentrate on getting the hips forward and squeezing the glutes
Alternative Options:
- Single arm racked position
- Double kettlebell front squat
- Single or double kettlebell lunges
- Single leg front squat (pistol squat)
Common Problems & Solutions
Error: spinal alignment falling into flexion (curving the back)
Correction: keep chest lifted and kettlebell tight to the body
Youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TOlFFKzWO0
2. Kettlebell Swing
This is the fundamental kettlebell exercise. It strengthens the posterior muscle chain within a dynamic exercise that includes both acceleration and deceleration phases. The swing has a massive carry over to general activity and sports due to the powerful snapping hip extension involved. It is also a great exercise for mastering techniques, positions and postures for other exercises. The swing must be completed with competence before progressing to exercises such as kettlebell cleans, high pulls and the snatch.
Primary Muscles: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal muscles, erector spinae and the core
Teaching points:
- start position – grasp the handles of the kettlebell with feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart
- in a standing tall position switch on the glutes but keep the spine neutral. While keeping the arms long and shoulders relaxed, look forwards with the chest open
- lowering phase – start the swing by lowering the kettlebell between the legs
- push the hips back, while also flexing the knees. Continuing to flex at the hip – ultimately hiking the kettlebell towards the buttocks
- upward phase – drive through the heels whilst moving the hips forwards dynamically
- as a result of the powerful dynamic hip thrust the kettlebell will arc upwards
- keep the arms relaxed as the kettlebell arc height is a consequence of the hip thrust – at the top of the arc there will be some ‘hang time’
- make sure the glutes are squeezed and the core braced
- begin the downward phase by letting the kettlebell naturally drop between the legs
- push the hips back letting the kettlebell swing between the legs, keep the chest open
Alternative Options:
- Single hand swing
- Single hand alternating swing
- Double kettlebell swing
- Travelling swing – forward walk, side walk, 90 degree rotating
Common Problems & Solutions
Error: allowing too much knee bend and performing a ‘squatting’ action
Correction: focus on keeping the knees still and pushing the hips back during the lowering phase of the swing. You should have a similar pulling sensation as a hamstring stretch.
Youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDK73DtDbsM
3. Kettlebell Clean
Advancement from the single hand swing incorporating the upper body to develop upper body strength and power. It is important that clients understand the top ‘racked’ position of the kettlebell – a pre-requisite for overhead kettlebell exercises.
Primary Muscles: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal muscles, upper back, deltoids, trapezius and biceps
Teaching Points:
- begin as when attempting a kettlebell swing
- rather than arching the kettlebell, clean it up to a racked position by bringing the kettlebell up vertically close to the body using the power generated from the hips as the arm stays loose
- lead with the elbow to do this then dynamically whip the elbow underneath the kettlebell to gain a vertical forearm (keep the wrist strong). Allow the kettlebell to wrap around the forearm
- the kettlebell should be close to the body in the ‘racked’ position on the outside of the forearm
- in this position do not relax or let the kettlebell drop away to the side
- to reverse the action let the kettlebell drop in towards the midline of the body while simultaneously brining the elbow out and high
Alternative Options:
- Clean and press
- Clean and split press
- Double kettlebell clean
- Double kettlebell clean and press
Common Problems & Solutions
Error: generating too much power from the hips causing the the kettlebell to move too fast over the hand and hitting the back of the wrist
Correction: reduce the drive from the hips and ensure the kettlebell moves around the outside of the hand (rather than over the top) to rest gently on the wrist. Keep the shoulder and elbow tight to the body.
Youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPYfiwpUeSE
4. Kettlebell One-Arm Shoulder Press
A very effective upper body strengthening exercise that works the shoulder through a good range of motion and increases shoulder stability
Primary Muscles: deltoids, triceps, upper trapezius, latissimus dorsi and core
Teaching Points:
- start with the kettlebell in a strong ‘racked’ position with the feet well grounded
- press the kettlebell up vertically, keeping the forearm vertical and the wrist fixed throughout
- straighten the arm with the palm of the hand facing forwards
- stabilise the shoulder and contract the triceps so the arm is straight
- lower the kettlebell under control and pull it back into the ‘racked’ position
Alternative Options:
- Double kettlebell shoulder press
- Alternating kettlebell shoulder press
- Front squat to shoulder press
Common Problems & Solutions
Error: locking the hips into full extension of hyperextension whilst allowing the kettlebell to drift behind or out the side of the body
Correction: keep the hips soft in small amount of flexion with the chest lifted to ensure the core muscles are activated. Ensure the kettlebell is stabilised directly above the shoulder joint.
Youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fUrgob01UQ
5. Kettlebell One-Arm High Pull
An excellent exercise for helping teach the kettlebell snatch. Working the upper back muscles dynamically for endurance, strength and power. Useful for throwing sports and martial arts. To avoid shoulder injuries it is important not to perform this exercise in the same way as an upright row – the movement instead comes from the lower body.
Primary Muscles: quadriceps, gluteal muscles, trapezius, biceps, deltoids, hamstrings, rhomboids and latissimus dorsi
Teaching Points:
- the pull is an extension of the kettlebell swing but at the top of the arc on the swing you pull the kettlebell towards the outside of the shoulder
- as the kettlebell reaches chest height dynamically retract the shoulder girdle and in a fluid movement pull the kettlebell towards and to the outside of the shoulder
- keep shoulders relaxed, the forearm straight, the wrist fixed and body strong
- keep the movement going by punching the kettlebell forwards and reversing the action while dropping into a stable kettlebell swing
Alternative Options:
- Split stance high pull
- Double kettlebell high pull
Common Problems & Solutions
Error: creating too much upward drive and leading with a high elbow as though a typical dumbbell high pull
Correction: ensure the exercise begins with a good single arm swing, arcing the kettlebell out in front. The pull and shoulder girdle retraction is quickly performed when the kettlebell is momentarily weightless at shoulder height.
Youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2YOOoxnz7E
6. Kettlebell One-Arm Snatch
The ultimate whole body kettlebell exercise that is technically very demanding. A continuation of the kettlebell swing and high pull. Often used as a test of kettlebell competence and strength.
Primary Muscles: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal muscles, rhomboids, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, biceps, deltoids, pectorals and triceps
Teaching Points:
- begin the snatch by performing a one-arm swing
- utilise the ‘hip-snap’ to get the arc of the kettlebell high but at the top of the arc continue to the move the kettlebell up to a vertical arm position
- use an almost high pull action by bending the arm followed by a fast vertical punch upwards to fully straighten the arm
- use a fast, smooth action to catch the bell at the top and prevent it from banging the forearm
- pause, looking forwards with the arm straight next to the ear and the shoulder stable
- fluidly lower the kettlebell so it drops down between the legs
Alternative Options:
- Alternating one arm snatch
- Double kettlebell snatch
Common Problems & Solutions
Error: squatting to start the movement. Allowing the kettlebell to swing/float over the top of the hand impacting with the back of the wrist.
Correction: ensure a correct swing initiates the movement with a powerful hip drive. At the top of the movement pull and punch upwards in a small rapid movement to bring the kettlebell more gently onto the back of the wrist.
Youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l2Iu26oWW8
7.Turkish Get Up (TGU)
An all over functional body conditioning exercise. Targets most muscles of the body but particularly good for developing the core as well as shoulder strength, stability and range.
Primary Muscles: all over body / core
Teaching Points:
- start in supine position (lying on your back) with one hand on the kettlebell handle
- drive the arm with the kettlebell up above the chest into a straight arm position. The other arm should move out to the side
- look at the kettlebell the whole time
- flex the knee on the same side as the kettlebell with the foot planted
- sit up keeping the kettlebell arm vertical until the other arm is straight to the side of the body grounded
- lift the hips and move the straight leg underneath the body into a lunge position, again keeping the kettlebell arm vertical and looking at the kettlebell
- when in a lunge position look forwards and push up to a standing position
- reverse the actions under control to the start position
Alternative Options:
- Breakdown TGU into separate sections / exercises
- Kettlebell windmills
Common Problems & Solutions
As this exercise has so many different parts it difficult to address them all. Make sure that you are constantly looking at the kettlebell throughout the whole exercise.
Youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVDiFNy8NUA
For more kettlebell exercises (111 to be exact), please click on the link below: