Pick up Your Kettlebell for a Fun Workout

Beginner Kettlebell Workout

This beginner kettlebell workout takes you through a complete workout of basic kettlebell exercises for building power, strength, and endurance. These dynamic, challenging exercises are ideal for shaking up your exercise routine while working your entire body. 

This is an advanced type of training, so you should be adept at traditional exercise with a basic level of cardio endurance and muscular strength. Before trying this workout, familiarize yourself with the basics of kettlebell training and the techniques for safe and effective kettlebell workouts. 

Precautions

See your doctor before trying this workout if you have any injuries, illnesses, other conditions, or any concerns. This workout is for people who have been exercising for some time and have some experience with cardio and strength training workouts.

Equipment Needed

A light, medium, and heavy kettlebell. Suggested weights: 10-25 lbs for women, 15-35 lbs for men. 

How To

The following are basic guidelines for this workout:

• Warm up with at least 10 minutes of cardio to get your body ready for the workout.
• Perform the exercises in each section, one after the other, rest for 30-60 seconds and repeat each circuit 1-3 times.
• Choose a lighter weight to practice the exercises and only move up to a heavier weight once you've perfected the movement.
• Avoid any exercises that cause pain or discomfort and be sure to carefully read the descriptions of each exercise to avoid injury.

Modified Turkish Get Up

Follow these steps:

1. Lie down holding a medium kettlebell in the right hand, arm extended straight over the shoulder with the elbow locked.
2. Keeping the arm extended and looking up at the weight, raise up onto the left elbow as you bend the right knee.
3. Lower back down the same way, arm extended until you're lying all the way on the floor.
4. Repeat 8 times before switching sides.
5. Be sure to keep the elbow locked and the weight straight up over the shoulder the entire time.

Kettlebell Swing

Use these steps:

1. Hold a kettlebell in both hands with legs hip-width apart.
2. Bend the knees and bend from the hips, swinging the weight between the legs (arms should touch the inner thighs) and shifting the weight into the heels. Keep the torso upright and the abs braced and back straight.
3. At the bottom of the movement, thrust up through the hips, using the power of your lower body to bring the weight up to about hip level. 
4. Bring the weight back down and repeat, taking the weight a little higher with each swing, until it's level with the shoulders.
5. The kettlebell should feel weightless at the top of the movement. In other words, the power comes from your hips, not your arms.
6. Repeat for 16 reps.

One Arm Swing

​Follow these instructions:

1. Begin holding a kettlebell in the right hand, feet hip-distance apart.
2. Bend the knees and tip from the hips as you take the weight down and back between the legs.
3. Thrust the hips up as you swing the weight to about shoulder level, keeping the left arm out for balance and stability.
4. Practice a few swings, taking the weight higher each time until you can get it to shoulder level.
5. Complete 8 reps and switch arms.

Kettlebell Front Squat

Use these instructions for this exercise:

1. Place a kettlebell in one hand, holding it in the "rack" position—elbow bent, weight in front of the shoulder, and the wrist neutral. 
2. Take the other arm out for balance and squat as low as you can or until the thighs are parallel to the floor.
3. Keep the knees behind the toes and use your abs and back to keep your body in a stable position.
4. Push into the heels and thrust the hips up, using the power of your lower body to return to start.
5. Repeat for 16 reps and switch sides.
6. Add intensity by pressing the weight up as you stand.

Kettlebell Clean

Try this move:

1. Hold a medium kettlebell in the right hand.
2. Have left arm out for balance and feet hip-width apart.
3. Squat down, keeping the torso upright, and thrust the hips up as you come up, bending the elbow and drawing the weight up to the shoulder while rotating the palm in.
4. End the move with the arm in the "rack" position—elbow bent, weight in front of the shoulder and wrist neutral.
5. Lower and repeat for 8 reps before switching sides.
6. Try to keep the rotation smooth so that you don't bang your wrist with the weight. This takes some practice, so start with a lighter weight until you master the movement.

Kettlebell Clean and Press

Follow these steps:

1. Hold a medium-heavy kettlebell in the right hand, feet hip-width apart, and the arm straight.
2. Lower into a squat with the torso upright and the abs braced.
3. Thrust the hips up as you come up, rotating the elbow down as you pull the kettlebell up, catching it at shoulder height in the rack position.
4. Absorb the weight of the kettlebell and the movement by squatting slightly, keeping the wrist neutral.
5. From there, thrust the hips up and use the power of your lower body to help push the weight overhead.
6. Return to start and repeat for 8 reps before switching sides. 
7. The idea with this move, as with the others, is to use your lower body as leverage to help get the weight up.

Kettlebell Side Step with Single Arm Swing Curl

Use these instructions:

1. Hold a medium kettlebell in the right hand by your side.
2. Step to the right and lower into a squat, swinging the weight between the knees.
3. As you step the feet back together, swing the weight up into a biceps curl, ending with the bottom of the weight facing the ceiling.
4. You'll need to brace your wrist to keep the weight straight up.
5. Repeat for 8 reps before switching sides.

Low Windmill

Follow these steps:

1. Hold a medium kettlebell or dumbbell in the right hand, feet wide.
2. Turn the right toes out and the left toes forward, almost like you're standing on a surfboard.
3. Take the left arm straight up, elbow locked, and lean to the right.
4. As you lower the weight towards the floor, bend the right knee and kick the left hip out.
5. Lower the weight as far as you can, keeping your eyes on the extended arm (optional).
6. Straighten back to start and repeat for 8 reps before switching sides.

Kettlebell Throw

Try this move:

1. Hold a medium-heavy kettlebell on either side of the handle (or on the 'horns').
2. Squat and swing the weight back between the knees.
3. Thrust the hips up, using the power of your lower body to swing the weight up over the head.
4. Let the weight swing back down, keeping control of the movement, and repeat for 16 reps.
5. Try to keep the power coming from the hips rather than the arms.

Kettlebell Single Arm Overhead Swing

Follow these steps:

1. Hold a kettlebell in the right hand and bend the knees, tipping from the hips and swing the weight between the knees.
2. The palm should be facing in.
3. Thrust the hips forward, using the power of your lower body to swing the kettlebell up overhead, arm straight, elbow locked.
4. Swing the weight back down and repeat for 8 reps before switching sides.

Power Plank and Row

Use these instructions:

1. Get into a plank position, on the hands and toes with a kettlebell or dumbbell near the right hand.
2. Keep the core braced and the body in a straight line.
3. Grab the kettlebell and pull the elbow up to torso level in a rowing motion.
4. Lower the weight, lightly touching the floor, and continue rowing while keeping the plank position.
5. Repeat for 10 reps and then switch sides.
6. As a modification, come down to the knees if this is too much of a strain on your abs or back.