The kettlebell swing uses a powerful hip hinge to swing the weight to chest height. It trains the glutes, hamstrings and lower back explosively and also challenges grip, shoulders and cardiovascular fitness.
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5
Sets
15
Reps
Kettlebell
Equipment
10.50
Cal/min
🎯 Muscles Worked
🎯
Primary
Glutes, Hamstrings, Core
📋 How To Perform Kettlebell Swing
1
Stand with feet shoulder-width, kettlebell on the floor in front of you.
2
Hinge at the hips to grip it, then hike it back between your legs.
3
Drive your hips forward explosively to swing the bell up to chest height.
4
Let it swing back down between your legs, hinging at the hips again.
5
Power comes from your hips, not your arms or shoulders.
💡 Benefits of Kettlebell Swing
Builds hip power and posterior chain strength, burns a lot of energy and trains grip endurance. It is one of the most efficient exercises for conditioning with a single piece of equipment.
📈 Sets, Reps & Programming
Try 10 sets of 10 swings with short rest, or 5 sets of 15 with a moderately heavy bell. Focus on a hip snap and a straight back rather than lifting with the arms.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Squatting instead of hinging at the hips
Lifting the bell with the arms instead of the hips
Rounding the lower back at the bottom
✅ Pro Tips
Hinge back so the bell goes between the thighs, then snap the hips forward to float it up
Squeeze the glutes at the top and let the arms stay loose
🛡️ Safety Notes
Start with a manageable weight and learn the hinge first. Make sure there is space around you and the handle is dry, and stop if the lower back rounds.
🔁 Progressions & Regressions
Make it hardera heavier bell or single-arm swing.
Make it easierRomanian deadlift or hip hinge practice.