Kettlebell Double Swing

leg exercises

The Kettlebell Double Swing is an advanced variation of the traditional Kettlebell Swing, in the instance of the double swing you are using two kettlebells simultaneously.

This exercise amplifies the benefits of the single Kettlebell Swing by increasing the load and challenging your coordination, strength, and endurance. The Kettlebell Double Swing is an excellent full-body exercise that targets multiple muscle groups and is ideal for those looking to take their kettlebell training to the next level. It's perfect for building explosive power, improving cardiovascular fitness, and enhancing muscular endurance.

Muscles worked when performing the Kettlebell Double Swing

The Kettlebell Double Swing targets a wide range of muscles, including:

Glutes: Your glutes are one of the primary muscles involved in this exercise.

Hamstrings: Your hamstrings are engaged to help you extend your hips.

Core Muscles: Abdominals and obliques work to stabilise the spine and control the movement.

Back: Erector spinae muscles that run down your spring will assist in supporting the spine throughout the swing.

Shoulders: Deltoids are activated as the kettlebells swing out to shoulder height.

Forearms and Grip Strength: Holding and swinging two kettlebells enhances grip strength and forearm muscles.

Upper Back: Rhomboids and trapezius muscles are engaged to maintain proper posture and control the kettlebells.


How to perform a kettlebell double swing


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How to perform the Kettlebell Double Swing

1. Starting Position:

  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.

  • Place two kettlebells in front of you.

  • Hinge at the hips, keeping your back flat and knees slightly bent, to reach down and grasp the kettlebells with both hands.

2. Initiate the Swing:

  • Hike the kettlebells back between your legs, and prepare for the swing.

  • Engage your core and drive your hips forward explosively, allowing the kettlebells to swing up to shoulder height.

3. The Swing:

  • At the top of the swing, the kettlebells should feel weightless for a brief moment.

  • Control the descent by hinging at the hips and allowing the kettlebells to swing back between your legs.

  • Keep your arms relaxed, using your hips and core to drive the movement.

4. Repeat:

  • Continue swinging the kettlebells for the desired number of repetitions, maintaining a steady rhythm and controlled movement.


Benefits of the Kettlebell Double Swing

Increases Overall Strength: Using two kettlebells increases the load, helping to build strength faster.

Improves Coordination: This exercise requires excellent coordination and control to manage 2 kettlebells at once, this will help with enhancing motor skills.

Contributes To Cardiovascular Fitness: This dynamic movement boosts your heart rate, providing a cardio workout along with strength training.

Builds Explosive Power: The hip drive improves explosive power, beneficial for your athletic and lifting performance.

Strengthens Posterior Chain: Targets the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back, promoting better posture and functional strength.

Enhances Core Stability: Engages core muscles, improving stability and reducing the risk of lower back injuries.

Kettlebell Double Swing common mistakes to avoid

Using the Arms: All the power should drive from your hips and core, not your arms. Keep your arms relaxed and let your hips drive the movement.

Rounding the Back: Maintain a flat back throughout the exercise to avoid strain on the spine.

Squatting Instead of Hinging: Focus on hinging at the hips rather than squatting down. Your knees should bend slightly, but the movement is primarily a hip hinge.

Incorrect Weight Selection: Start with manageable weights to master the technique before progressing to heavier kettlebells.

Overextending the Hips: Avoid hyperextending your hips at the top of the swing. Stand tall with a neutral spine.

Reps and sets

The number of reps and sets for your Kettlebell Double Swing should align with your fitness level and objectives:

Beginners: Start with simply mastering the move. This can be a tough exercise for anyone starting out, so 3 reps, if you’re new to this, is a valid set.

To determine how many reps/sets of Kettlebell Double Swings you should start with, you first need to figure out how many reps you can comfortably perform. Then add 2, and perform that number of reps for 3 sets.

For example; let’s say you can perform 4 Kettlebell Double Swings comfortably. Add 2 to make 6 reps. Perform those 6 reps 3 times over, allowing yourself sufficient rest inbetween.

Experienced lifters: You know your body and its abilities better than anyone, use your own judgement.

We recommend that you avoid performing more than 12 reps per set. If you’re comfortably performing 12 reps for up to 6 sets, it’s time to make the exercise more challenging.



How to make Kettlebell Double Swings More Challenging

The best way to make this exercise more challenging is by adding more weight. You will be surprised how much weight you can drive through your hips, so with consistency, you should be able to work your way up the kettlebell rack pretty quickly.

How to incorporate the Kettlebell Double Swing into your workouts

Warm-Up: Use the Kettlebell Double Swing as part of your warm-up to activate your glutes, hamstrings, and core.

Strength Training Routine: Include the Kettlebell Double Swing in your strength training sessions to enhance power and build strength in your posterior chain.

Cardio Workouts: Incorporate this exercise into high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions for a cardio and strength combo.

Circuit Training: Use the Kettlebell Double Swing in circuit training routines to maintain a high heart rate and maximise calorie burn.

Functional Training: Add the Kettlebell Double Swing to functional fitness routines to improve overall athletic performance and functional strength.

The Kettlebell Double Swing is a powerful addition to any workout routine, offering increased load and intensity compared to the single kettlebell swing. Focus on proper form and gradually increase the intensity to fully reap the rewards of this advanced kettlebell exercise.

Exercises that work similar muscles to the Kettlebell Double Swing

Kettlebell Deadlifts: Target the posterior chain, including the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back, similar to the swing.

Kettlebell Cleans: Develop explosive power and engage the posterior chain, shoulders, and core.

Kettlebell Snatches: Combine strength and cardio, targeting the posterior chain, shoulders, and core.

Double Kettlebell Front Rack Squats: Focus on the legs, core, and upper body strength, providing a similar full-body challenge.

Barbell Hip Thrusts: Enhance glute and hamstring strength, mimicking the hip extension movement in the kettlebell swing.



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