Are you tired of endless hours on the treadmill or lifting weights that feel more like phone books? Well, get ready to swing your way to a stronger, more toned body with kettlebell swings! These funky-looking cannonballs with handles are the secret weapon of fitness enthusiasts everywhere. Want to know why? Read on to discover the short answer + three incredible benefits that will make you ditch those boring workouts for good!
Let us discuss the kettlebell swings benefits, How to do them properly, and various common mistakes people do when attempting Kettlebell swings.
Over the past 8-10 years, Kettlebell swings are grown popular due to their Quick full-body workout. Weight loss can be an arduous and very challenging journey for beginners with excess fat. While numerous exercises and diet practices exist, not all practices may be suitable for everyone on their weight loss journey.
Kettlebell swings are an excellent choice for individuals looking for a low-impact and effective workout as there are numerous benefits of kettlebell swings. Kettlebell swings are a dynamic range of exercise that involves multiple muscle groups and can help burn calories and fat without putting excessive pressure on the joints.
Kettlebell swings were discovered by Russians and used to measure various goods’ weight, but they were eventually used in strength competitions. Nowadays, kettlebells are popular in workout routines, mainly CrossFit, and in numerous athletic training programs because they are convenient, easy to use, and can be included in various High-Impact exercises. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of kettlebell swings and how to perform them correctly for low-impact weight loss.
What are Kettlebell Swings?
The kettlebell swing is a dynamic full-body exercise. In this exercise, the kettlebell is swinging back and forth between the legs. You need strength, power and stamina to perform this exercise properly. The kettlebell swing can be performed with one or two kettlebells, making it a versatile exercise suitable for all fitness levels.
Kettlebell Swings Benefits, Especially for Low Impact Weight Loss
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that individuals engage in strength exercise twice weekly. As you become older, this becomes even more crucial. Keeping your muscle mass up has been related to living longer, being more flexible, and feeling healthier. Kettlebell swings are an excellent approach to improving strength and general well-being.
There are numerous health Benefits of Kettle bell Swings and the great thing is you can manage the intensity of workout creating Kettlebell swings for Low-impact Weight loss, thus making them an Excellent Option for low-impact weight loss, Here are a few of them:
Kettlebell provides Powerful Calorie Burn
Kettlebell Swing workouts are high-intensity and low-intensity as per your endurance, and the exercise can burn many calories quickly, which is the primary benefit of Kettlebell Swings. And one can burn more calories after the workout due to the post-workout oxygen consumption and desolvation in your body, which temporarily increases metabolism to support recovery.
Better Cardio fitness
Kettlebell swings involve your whole body, requiring your heartbeat to pump blood faster than usual and helping you maintain your cardiorespiratory Fitness.
Strong Poster
Unlike many exercises, which have a significant focus on the front part of your body, kettlebell swings substantially impact the back region o your body, which consists of the upper and lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. They all together help in building the poster chain.
Improves Overall strength and Fitness
Kettlebell swings require high force development from the body and proper activation of muscles in the poster chain region so that you can develop strength and feel the explosiveness.
Full Body Workout
Kettlebell swings use the upper and lower part of the body simultaneously for an excellent full-body workout.
Quick and Convenient
Most of the exercises can be completed in a short duration of time, and they only require a kettlebell to get started.
Low-Impact exercise
Kettlebells keep your joints safe as they are designed in a motion that you don’t have to move your legs which becomes low-impact on your knees, and people who can’t do jumping and running can find a great alternative in Kettlebell swings.
Summary of Kettle bell Swings Benefits
Burns calories and fat
Kettlebell swings are a high-intensity exercise that can help burn calories and fat, leading to weight loss.
Improves cardiovascular health
The dynamic nature of kettlebell swings can help improve cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and circulation.
Low impact
Kettlebell swings are a low-impact exercise with less joint stress than traditional weightlifting exercises.
Builds muscle
Kettlebell swings can help build muscle, particularly in the glutes, hamstrings, and core.
Improves flexibility
The explosive nature of kettlebell swings can help improve flexibility by engaging and stretching multiple muscle groups.
What Muscles do Kettlebells Target?
Kettlebell swings are also considered to be one of the best full-body workouts because they target muscles of the upper as well as Lower body and simultaneously target the core muscles also, Following is the list of power which the Kettlebell swings target.
- Glutes
- Hamstrings
- Erector spine
- Calves
- Rhomboids
- Traps
The muscles mentioned above are part of the anterior chain(From of the Body). You may also notice some of the activations of your abdominals, quadriceps, anterior deltoids, pectorals, and forearm muscles. In addition, kettlebell swings can help you improve grip strength.
How to do a Proper Kettlebell Swing
To get the most out of your workout and reduce the risk of injury is essential to learn how to swing a kettlebell properly. Here’s how to do it, step by step.
Performing kettlebell swings correctly is crucial for getting the full benefits of the exercise and avoiding injury. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform kettlebell swings for low-impact weight loss:
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding the Kettlebell with both hands.
- Hinge your hips back, keeping your back straight and your core engaged. The Kettlebell should be hanging between your legs.
- Swing the Kettlebell up and forward by extending your hips and knees. Keep your arms straight and let the swing’s momentum do the work.
- Once the Kettlebell reaches shoulder height, let it swing back down between your legs and repeat the motion. Now, this is one rep.
- Perform 10-15 reps for 3-5 sets, taking a 30-60 second break between sets.
- You must focus on the proper form throughout the workout to gain more benefits and prevent lower back injury. Most of the force should come from your legs, glutes, and hamstrings, not your shoulders and arms.
Focusing on the hip-Hinge movement during the lower phase of the swing will allow you to build power and momentum safely.
Do not suddenly stop the exercise as it contains some momentum and inertia; instead, stop the practice abruptly, slow down the rate and range, and slowly reduce the speed, which indirectly stops at some point.
Common mistakes during Kettlebell Swings
While kettlebell swings can be effective and safe exercise, these are the common mistakes that people often make and can cause a slow down in your results and potentially lead to an injury.
Lifting your arms
The power and momentum for driving the Kettlebell must be coming from your lower body, glutes, hamstrings, and legs but not from the shoulder and arms. Your arms must only guide the Kettlebell and remember not to do the heavy lifting.
Rounding Your Back
Avoid rounding your back and shoulders, which can lead to serious injury in the joints and lower back, eventually causing severe pain and dislocation in the back area.
Bending your knees too much
Avoid bending knees more than enough, which will lead t a squatting position and eventually end up not producing as much power and momentum required for the workout.
Not Engaging Core
Keep your core engaged throughout the workout to prevent lower back injury and support the movement.
Swinging too fast
Kettlebell swings are a workout that is highly recommended to do with proper form and discipline. Moving too quickly can place your focus on your upper body because you need to give the Lower body more time to generate the force, eventually leading to injury.
Using the Wrong Weight
The kettlebell swings must be done correctly and according to your body weight and endurance. The Kettlebell should be heavy for the challenging but not so rich that you need help lifting the weight and compromising your form, so the best advice is to gradually increase the weight as you develop the condition.
Forgetting to Breathe
Focus on inhaling as you hinge and exhaling as you push.
As you learn to swing a kettlebell, remember to keep these common mistakes at the top of your mind.
How to pick the right weight for kettlebell swing
Choosing a weight for Kettlebell can be challenging but is based on your experience and strength.
If you are a beginner, you can choose a lighter kettlebell that will allow you to practice the swing movement and learn the proper form.
While many other weights are available, most beginners will likely want to start with a kettlebell weighing 10-18 pounds, 4.5-8 kg. You can also purchase lighter-weight kettlebells if you need them.
As you perfect the form and get stronger, you may increase the weight depending on your experience level and strength, and you may also choose a heavier kettlebell weighing 8-32 kg.
Precautions and Tips
- One should always warm up before performing kettlebell swings to reduce the risk of injury.
- Start with light weight and gradually increase the weight according to your strength
- Focus on proper form and avoid using momentum to swing the kettlebell.
- Keep your core and your shoulders down and back to avoid injury to your lower back and shoulders.
- Stop immediately if you feel any pain or discomfort.
Conclusion
Kettlebell swings have many benefits, some of which are improved cardiovascular Fitness, strength, and power. They are also high-intensity yet low-impact workouts that can quickly burn a lot of calories in a short duration of time due to their power and dynamic range of motion in training, if you add kettlebell swings to your workout routine, practice proper form to reap the most benefits.
Whether you are bored with your current workout or looking for something new to add to your list of activities for boosting power and strength, You will want to try Kettlebell Swings.
Also Check | Resistance Bands: The Best Low-Impact Exercise Tool for Weight Loss
Disclaimer
The workouts, exercises, weight loss, diet and nutrition provided on Fitflowz.com are for educational purposes only and should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice or a qualified fitness instructor. Always consult with a qualified fitness professional and your health care provider before beginning any exercise program or nutrition regimen.
