Our Six Favorite Swing Variations for Lower Body Strength and Power!

 

By Colin McGarty

 

Kettlebell swings are one of our favorite lower body exercises!   They work the glutes, hips, hamstrings, core, lower back and grip like crazy.  Not to mention other muscles too.  It basically is a full body exercise.   Kettlebell swings are accessible to people of all ability levels so long as they are performed correctly.

Kettlebell swings can be used to build strength and power with heavy weights and lower reps.  In fact, for many people the swing is one of the best power exercises out there because it is low impact.  Most plyometric movements are high impact and not always appropriate for everyone.

Or you can lighten the load, up the repetitions, or chop the rest periods to build killer cardiovascular conditioning.  Some of the hardest HIIT and Endurance workouts we do involve a big dosage of kettlebell swings.  So, if you want to be stronger, more powerful and fitter definitely incorporate kettlebell swings into your workout!

 

For all swing variations use the following steps to ensure your form is dialed in:

  1. Start with the kettlebell approximately 12 inches in front of you
  2. Push your but back and squat slightly until you can grab the handle(s). Tilt them towards yourself and flex your lats.  Your back should be flat!
  3. Take a breathe and hike the kettlebell back.
  4. Stand up explosively. Exhaling on top.
  5. Arms remain straight or slightly bent as the kettlebell floats.
  6. Push your hips back return to the kettlebell to that hike position with a flat back and your forearms close to your groin.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
  8. Safely park the kettlebell back to the start position.

 

Sometimes doing the same old swing can be boring.  So, we have given you our six favorite kettlebell swing variations to spice things up:

 

Russian Swings

 

One Arm Swings

 

Hand to Hand Swings

 

 

American Swings

 

Double Swings

 

 

Suitcase Swings

 

 

 

If you want to meet with a Coach and see if we can help you meet your fitness goals, click below!

 

What is Kettlebell Sport?

By Colin McGarty

 

 

Kettlebell Sport is a power endurance competition that involves lifting sub maximal weights for a given amount of time.  Competitors compete in five minute, ten minute and even longer 30 or 60 minute sets.  Kettlebell Sport is also known as Girevoy Sport(GS) and originated in eastern Europe.  As the popularity of kettlebells has increased globally, competitions have gained traction around the United States.

 

Kettlebell Sport lifters develop incredible strength, endurance, conditioning, and impeccable technique on their lift.  Not only that but completing these long sets without placing the kettlebell down is a challenge and forges mental toughness and grit.

 

The standard events are Snatch, Long Cycle Clean and Jerk, Jerk only and Biathlon which is a set of Jerks followed by a set of Snatches.  Long Cycle and Jerk can only be performed with double or single kettlebells.  Males typically perform double kettlebells while woman can choose double or single.  Snatches are performed with a single kettlebell.  Woman can use the 8kg, 12kg, 15kg, 20kg, or 24kg kettlebells.  Men perform their sets with 16kg, 20kg, 24kg, 28kg or 32kg kettlebells.

 

There are multiple weight classes in each event and for each kettlebell size.  So, competitors compete against other lifters in the same event and same weight class as themselves.  The competitor with the most repetitions in the given amount of time wins the event.  On single kettlebell events one hand switch is allowed.  With the double kettlebell the competitor lifts for the whole event without putting the kettlebells down.

 

 

Snatches

 

 

Long Cycle Clean and Jerk

 

Jerk

 

 

If you are interested in learning kettlebell sport join the Seacoast Kettlebell Team!   Our next competition is on May 18th!

 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!