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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Exercise Breakdown: Kettlebell Swing

The Kettlebell swing is one of the first kettlebell exercises someone should learn if they're going to actually use a kettlebell.  The kettlebell swing serves as the basis for several other exercises and, frankly, it makes a hell of a warm up if nothing else.

First, let's take a look at the swing and how it's done, then we can get into some of what I've learned about this exercise from doing it.


Yes, this is a woman.  Guys, get over it.  The exercise is no different, and frankly this is a pretty good video.  Now, for some things I've experienced.


First, this is all about the hips.  It looks like a shoulder exercise, but it's not.  You must fight the urge to turn it into one.  For the record, I suck at this.  This is all about the hips which basically throw the weight up.  Also, don't get hung up on how high the weight goes.  That will increase as well.

Kettlebell exercise are, at least in my opinion, all about form.  This is especially true of the swing.  Improper form could probably do all kinds of improper things to various parts of the body.  Not a good thing.

When I first got my kettlebell, I started with learning how to do the swing.  There are schools of thought that this exercise needs to be mastered before you try any of the other exercises out there.  On this particular exercise, I agree.  As I said earlier, this is the basis for a lot of other exercises, so it's kind of important.

So, get yourself a kettlebell and learn the kettlebell swing.  Get that down, and then the fun really starts.

Are you up for it?


2 comments:

  1. Technique is important in a lot of exercises especially power exercises such as squats, deadlifts, etc. I don't usually do kettlebell exercises but I've heard good things about them especially for shoulders.

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  2. No argument there. If I get a chance to discuss those exercises, I'll be pointing that out as well.

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