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Kettlebell Swing

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Intermediate
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Ballistic hip hinge with a kettlebell that targets glutes and hamstrings to build explosive power and conditioning; commonly used in functional fitness contexts.

About Exercise

Equipment

Kettlebell

Difficulty

3/5 • Intermediate

Primary Muscle Groups

Glutes, Hamstrings

Secondary Muscles

Quads, Lats, Traps, Abs, Obliques

Accessory Muscles

Forearms

Popularity Score

9

Goals

Power
Conditioning
Strength

Training Style

Functional Training
CrossFit

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Medium

Noise Level

Moderate

Muscle Breakdown

Glutes

9/10

Glute Max

Hamstrings

9/10

Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus

Lower Back

7/10

Erector Spinae

Quads

5/10

Rectus Femoris

Lats

4/10

Traps

4/10

Lower Traps, Mid Traps

Abs

3/10

Obliques

3/10

Forearms

2/10
Programming

Typical Rep Range

10-20 reps

Rest Between Sets

30-60 seconds

How to Perform

Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width, kettlebell on the floor about a foot in front of you. Hinge at the hips to grip the handle with both hands, tilting the bell toward you.

  1. Hike the kettlebell back between your legs high into the groin, keeping forearms close to thighs.
  2. Explosively drive hips forward and squeeze glutes to propel the bell forward to chest height.
  3. Keep arms straight and loose; let the momentum of the hips move the weight.
  4. Let gravity pull the bell down, waiting until the last moment to hinge hips back.
  5. Absorb the weight into the hamstrings and hips to immediately transition into the next rep.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Hips drive, arms guide
  • Snap the hips
  • Plank at the top
  • Root the feet
  • T-Rex arms on the hike

Breathing

Inhale sharply as the bell swings back between legs; exhale forcefully (hiss) as you snap the hips forward.

Tempo

1-0-1

Range of Motion

Bell travels from behind the hips to roughly chest height; hips reach full extension (standing plank) at the top.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Maintain a neutral spine throughout
  • Ensure a secure grip before hiking
  • Stop if form degrades due to fatigue

Spotting

Not recommended; perform solo with appropriate weight.

Common Mistakes

  • Squatting instead of hinging
  • Lifting with the shoulders
  • Rounding the lower back
  • Hyperextending hips at the top

When to Avoid

  • Acute lower back pain
  • Shoulder instability
  • Recent hip surgery

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate hip hinge mobility
  • Shoulder flexion for swing path

Build Up First

  • Mastery of basic hip hinge
  • Grip strength for kettlebell hold
  • Core bracing competency

Also known as

Russian Kettlebell Swing, Two-Handed Kettlebell Swing, KB Swing

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