Exercise & Fitness
Try this: Swinging with kettlebells
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
Want to give your workouts a lift? Pick up a kettlebell. This versatile exercise tool resembles a cannonball with a handle on top and ranges in weight from 5 to 30-plus pounds. Kettlebells function similarly to dumbbells, and can substitute for them in traditional exercises like bicep curls, lunges, and squats. But the signature kettlebell move is the swing. Swings target usually weak muscle groups like those in the back of the thighs, the buttocks, the hips, and the lower back. They also can improve your posture, by engaging the core muscles. Here is how to do a swing:
1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. Hold a kettlebell with both hands and an overhand grip, arms extended down in front of you so the kettlebell hangs between your legs.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
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