Kettlebell Exercises
Kettlebell Exercises
GRINDS//UPPER BODY
//Vertical Push MIXED MOVEMENT GROUPS
13. Single Military Press 36. Low Windmill
14. Double Military Press 37. Windmill High
15. See-Saw Press 38. Windmill Double
16. Bottoms Up Press 39. Windmill Chest Opener
17. Bent Press 40. Turkish Get-Up Lunge
41. Turkish Get-Up Squat
//Horizontal Push 42. Arm Bar
18. Two Handed Floor Press
19. Guard Attack
20. Single Floor Press
//Horizontal Pull
21. One Arm Row
22. Double Row
23. Renegade Row
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PULLING
//LEGS/BACK/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Ensure you keep your back in the correct position, keeping your
eyes forward will help with this. Your lower back should not bend
forward. Do not try to lift the kettlebell, you are using the power
generated by snapping your hips forward to swing the kettlebell.
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PULLING
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
As with any other swing, ensure your lower back doesn’t bend
forward. If you are using larger bells you may have to have quite a
wide stance.
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PULLING
//HIPS/LEGS/ARMS/LOWER BACK
Valuable Points:
Ensure you keep your back in the correct position, keeping your
eyes forward will help with this. There should be no bending
forward of the lower back. Do not try to lift the kettlebell, you are
using the power generated by snapping your hips forward to
swing the kettlebell.
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PULLING
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Follow all guidelines of the 2 handed swing, remember to keep
your shoulders level throughout. Start swapping hands safely, then
as your skill increases try for some ‘air’ between the passes.
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PULLING
//HIPS/LEGS/ARMS/LOWER BACK
5. CLEAN
Execution:
The kettlebell is swung between your legs and then propelled
forward by the power in the hips. The kettlebell is then rolled
over to rest against the forearm. You can absorb the impact by
tightening up and dipping the knees. The final step is to repeat
the process by dropping the kettlebell between your feet and
absorbing the shock with your hamstrings –not your back or arm!
Valuable Points:
Power is produced by snapping the hips – do not muscle up the
bell with your biceps! Keep your wrist flat – imagine that the
wrist is an extension of your forearm – no bending allowed. Avoid
leaning back Power is produced by snapping the hips - do not
muscle up the bell with your biceps! Keep your wrist flat –imagine
that the wrist is an extension of your forearm –no bending allowed.
Avoid leaning back.
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PULLING
//SHOULDERS/ARMS/ABDOMINALS/LEGS
6. DOUBLE CLEAN
Execution:
Pick up two kettlebells and stand up. Position your feet wide enough
so both kettlebells will be able to swing through simultaneously.
Swing both kettlebells back and then drive them forward with hip
extension. When the kettlebells reach about a 30 degree angle from
your body, pull them up and let them roll over your forearms so they
come to rest in rack position. Ensure that as you pull the kettlebells
up your elbows stay close to your sides. Your hand should meet in
the middle of your chest in the rack position.
Valuable Points:
As you clean the kettlebells up keep your grip relaxed so that
the kettlebell rolls easily around your wrist. As you bring the
kettlebells back down to the start position, try to catch them in
your fingers (so the handles skip over your palms) to avoid tearing
calluses, particularly with high repetitions. To rest in the rack
position, bring your hips forward, relax your shoulders down, look
straight ahead, rest your elbows on your hips and if you like you
can interlock your fingers.
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PULLING
//CORE/SHOULDERS/GRIP
7. BOTTOMS UP CLEAN
Execution:
Pick up the kettlebell and turn your hand so that your palm is
facing inwards and the handle runs longways, pointing in front of
you. Swing the kettlebell back between your legs, bending at the
knees and hips and keeping your eyes focused on a point straight
in front of you. wing the kettlebell back through your legs in front
of you. As the kettlebell starts swinging up, crush the handle and
bend your elbow so that the handle stays pointing in the same
direction as the start position, but the body of the kettlebell rotates
over the top and into the upside down position. Make sure you
keep your elbow in close to your side. Hold the kettlebell in the
upside down position for a moment, then swing it back down to
the start position.
Valuable Points:
The kettlebell should stay in a straight line as you swing it through
into the bottoms up clean. To make sure the kettlebell swings
like this, keep your elbow in close to your side and keep your
forearm straight as you bend your elbow to clean the kettlebell up.
Crushing the handle will help you keep the kettlebell steady and
balance it in the upside down position.
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PULLING
//LEGS, HIPS, LOWER AND UPPER BACK/SHOULDERS/GRIP
8. SNATCH
Execution:
Swing the kettlebell back between your legs and then power the
bell forward by snapping the hips. The bell is kept close to the
body and once it reaches hip height you forcefully pull back with
your shoulder. his motion will cause the bell to rotate around the
hand and come to rest on the forearm. Finally,reach for the sky
and lockout the arm.
Valuable Points:
Keep your lower back arched and ensure the wrist remains in a
neutral position. No bending! Also ensure the kettlebell remains in
the mid- line of the body to guarantee efficiency of motion.
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PULLING
//HIPS/LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Power the movement with your hips. Keep your elbow bent
throughout the high- pull so you can ‘punch’ your hand through the
handle to minimise the impact on your wrist. Drop under the bell
like a jerk (see next exercise).
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PUSHING
//LEGS/ARMS/SHOULDERS/RESPIRATORY MUSCLES
Valuable Points:
This is often the most difficult move to master. The idea is to
incorporate a second jerk on the way up so you don’t have to
muscle up the kettlebell but rather get under the bell and stand
up. You don’t want to press the kettlebell to the lockout position
– this causes premature fatigue and isn’t efficient use of motion.
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//PUSHING
//LEGS/ARMS/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Position the Kettlebell’s handle at the base of the palm before
jerking it. The second dip should be performed explosively.
Deliberately pull, or drop underneath the weight explosively into
the lockout position. Here should be no pressing out the Kettlebell.
FULL BODY BALLISTICS
//COMBINATION LIFTS
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
With the double clean and jerk ensure both arms are in the
correct lock out position overhead. You can rest in the rack
position or the overhead position. With both the clean and jerk
keep your elbows in close to your sides, keeping the movement
streamlined and efficient.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//VERTICAL PUSH
//CORE/SHOULDERS/ARMS/UPPER BACK
Valuable Points:
When you are exerting yourself, always pull up your pelvis floor.
Keep your abdomen pressurised until you lock out the Kettlebell
overhead.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//VERTICAL PUSH
//SHOULDERS/CORE/ARMS/CHEST
Valuable Points:
Keep your spine in neutral position while performing double
military presses and ensure you protect your back by keeping
your body tense throughout the movement.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//VERTICAL PUSH
//SHOULDERS/CORE/ARMS/CHEST/BACK
Valuable Points:
To maximise your presses, ensure both bells are racked directly
across the sweet spot/ tricep trigger reflex,as this will allow a
greater activation of the tricep. here is a certain rhythm to the
breathing in the execution of this exercise, it is best to exhale on the
press and inhale before starting to press with the opposite hand.
Maintain a straight back and a strong level of tension through the
abdominals.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//VERTICAL PUSH
//SHOULDERS/CORE/LEGS
Valuable Points:
The bottoms up press requires a lot of skill and concentration to
keep the kettlebell balanced in the upside down position. Keeping
your eyes focused on the kettlebell and keeping your whole body
tense, in particular crushing the handle of the kettlebell, will help
enormously with this lift. As will a lot of practice! Start out with
a light kettlebell to train your balance, before moving on to the
heavier kettlebells.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//VERTICAL PUSH
//BACK/ARMS/LEGS/ABDOMINALS
Valuable Points:
The bent press is one of the most technical kettlebell lifts and
great care must be taken when performing it. Ensure you keep
your eyes on the kettlebell at all times, if your eyes drift away the
kettlebell will too. Ensure you perform the movement in a slow and
very controlled fashion.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//HORIZONTAL PUSH
//CORE/SHOULDERS/CHEST
Valuable Points:
Keep your quads, glutes and abdominals tight throughout the
movement. Keep the kettlebells in line with the midline of your
chest throughout the movement. Maintain a crushing grip to keep
the kettlebell stable as you press.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//HORIZONTAL PUSH
//ARMS/SHOULDERS/CORE
Valuable Points:
Keep knees bent and use momentum to continue to press each
bell. im to press bell directly upward not off to one side or you’ll
lose balance.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//HORIZONTAL PUSH
//ARMS/SHOULDERS/CHEST/ABDOMINALS
Valuable Points:
Keep whole body tight. rush grip throughout lift.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//HORIZONTAL PULL
//SIDES OF UPPER BACK/MIDDLE BACK/REAR SHOULDER/FRONT OF UPPER ARM
Valuable Points:
Concentrate on pulling with your shoulder blade, avoid excessive
rounding of your back.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//HORIZONTAL PULL
//BACK/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Make sure you don’t swing the kettlebell, concentrate on
squeezing your shoulder blades together to ensure you’re using
the correct muscles to lift.
GRINDS
//UPPER BODY//HORIZONTAL PULL
//UPPER BACK/MIDDLE BACK/BICEPS/ABDOMINALS/CHEST
Valuable Points:
Perform only on a flat solid surface. Keep your feet spread apart
for stability. Stay tight for the whole movement.
GRINDS
//LOWER BODY//HIP DOMINANT
//HAMSTRINGS/GLUTES/LOWER BACK/CORE/GRIP
Valuable Points:
Keep your head and belly button in line with the grounded foot.
GRINDS
//LOWER BODY//HIP DOMINANT
//HAMSTRINGS/GLUTES/LOWER BACK/CORE/GRIP
Valuable Points:
Keep your head and belly button in line with the grounded foot.
GRINDS
//LOWER BODY//HIP DOMINANT
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Keep your shins as close to vertical as possible throughout the
movement. Make sure your knees are tracking directly over your
feet. Keeping your eyes focused on a point straight ahead will help
keep your chest up, which will help keep your lower back in the
correct position.
GRINDS
//LOWER BODY//HIP DOMINANT
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Make sure your feet remain hip width apart, pointed forward and
your knees are aligned correctly over your feet – it is common to
see people’s knees buckle in when performing deck squats. his
exercise can also be performed without a kettlebell as a warm up
that is excellent for loosening the hip flexors.
GRINDS
//LOWER BODY//KNEE DOMINANT
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Develop tension before beginning the movement (locking out
legs/hips) and actively use your hip flexors to pull yourself down
into the squat (this will also provide support to the lumbar spine).
Remember to squeeze your butt hard as you drive out of the hole
to develop power in the hips.
GRINDS
//LOWER BODY//KNEE DOMINANT
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Develop tension before beginning the movement (locking out
legs/hips) and actively use your hip flexors to pull yourself down
into the squat (this will also provide support to the lumbar spine).
Remember to squeeze your butt hard as you drive out of the hole
to develop power in the hips..
GRINDS
//LOWER BODY//LUNGE
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
30. LUNGE
Execution:
Step forward with a slightly larger than normal step.
Plant front foot firmly on the ground so that the heel remains in
contact throughout the whole movement.
Sink into a deep lunge position so that the back knee almost
touches the ground.
Your front knee should remain above the ankle at all times and
should not project over the toes.
Push firmly through the front foot heel and drive back to the
start position.
Valuable Points:
Keep eyes focused on a point in front of you. Keep chest up
and back straight. Feet should always remain in line with the
shoulders.
CORE
//ABDOMINALS
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Keep eyes focused on a point in front of you. Keep chest up and
back straight. Feet should always remain in line with the shoulders.
CORE
//ABDOMINALS
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Keep your weight in your heels so as not to overbalance. Be careful
to keep your abdominals tight and avoid any bending forward of
the lower back. Make sure you have plenty of space around you!
CORE
//ABDOMINALS
//ABDOMINALS/SHOULDERS
Valuable Points:
Focus on keeping your elbow locked out at all times, keep your eyes
on the bell at all times and your shoulder and your hip aligned with
the bell. Get someone to hold your legs or anchor your feet initially
for perfecting technique.
CORE
//ABDOMINALS
//ABDOMINALS/TRICEPS/SHOULDERS/HIP FLEXORS
Valuable Points:
Maintain natural curvature of your spine throughout the entire
movement. Do not flex spine into a forward crunch when in the
seated position.
Ensure you brace through your shoulders so that the kettlebell is
securely in place and remain comrtably across the flat of your back.
CORE
//ABDOMINALS
//ABDOMINALS/SHOULDERS
Valuable points:
Don’t round through the back when performing this exercise. You
can increase the difficulty by lifting your feet off the ground.
MIXED MOVEMENT GROUPS
//ABDOMINALS/OBLIQUES/BACK/SHOULDERS/HIPS
Valuable Points:
Perform windmill with great control. In order to keep yourself
properly balanced, look at the weight at all times.
MIXED MOVEMENT GROUPS
//ABDOMINALS/OBLIQUES/BACK/SHOULDERS/HIPS
Valuable Points:
Perform windmill with great control. ook up at weight at all times
to stay properly balanced.
MIXED MOVEMENT GROUPS
//ABDOMINALS/OBLIQUES/BACK/SHOULDERS/HIPS
Valuable Points:
Look up at the weight to maintain balance. erform with great
control.
MIXED MOVEMENT GROUPS
//ABDOMINALS/OBLIQUES/BACK/SHOULDERS/CHEST/HIPS
Valuable Points:
Try to rotate as much as possible on the way down,keep your eyes
on the bell.
MIXED MOVEMENT GROUPS
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS/HIPS
Valuable Points:
Keep your eyes on the kettlebell at all times. Keep your arm
locked out at all times and punch the sky.
MIXED MOVEMENT GROUPS
//LEGS/CORE/SHOULDERS/HIPS
Valuable Points:
Keep your eyes on the bell. Find the right position before
attempting to stand up.
MIXED MOVEMENT GROUPS
//CORE/SHOULDERS/HIPS
Valuable Points:
Perform slowly and in control. keep your eyas on the bell above.
your opposite arm needs to be out behind your head.