Exercise of the Week: The Kettlebell Swing

After 7 years of only offering GYROTONIC training, I recently got re-certified as a personal trainer through the NASM and kettlebell training is back on the menu. Why? Because kettlebells are awesome! They’re a great tool for total body strength and power exercises and I’m glad to be offering them again.
Kettlebell training starts with the basic two handed kettlebell swing. One of the most important aspects of a kettlebell swing that people often get wrong, sadly including other trainers, is that a kettlebell swing is based off a deadlift, not a squat. Your knees are slightly bent, but the movement is primarily a hip hinge. The motion of the pelvis going forward is the power behind the kettlebell moving in that arc. It’s not an “up & down” motion.
Mastering the two handed swing opens up a big library of fun, full body exercises that increase your strength and power.