Do you know what the absolute best tool to get enviable abs and a strong and stable core is? A kettlebell of course. The unique combination of specific movements and the uneven weight distribution of the kettlebell is going to engage your core in ways you never experienced before.
Also, it’s worth pointing out that the kettlebell exercises for abs also works out other muscle groups at the same time, so you’re getting a lot more out of the workout.
Here are three incredible kettlebell exercises for abs that are going to increase your aerobic capacity and burn so many calories, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried these exercises sooner.
The Standard Swing
The standard swing is the very exercise that started it all. This basic swing should be the first exercise you do before any variations. Why just by doing this exercise by itself is going to give you a great ab workout.
To do the standard swing:
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Have a slight bend at the knee, keeping your core tight and your spine nice and straight. Lean forward and hold onto the kettlebell with both hands.
- In a single, fluid motion, swing the kettlebell back behind you, and then swing it out forward until it reaches your sternum.
- Repeat for 10 reps.
Avoid relying on your arms and shoulders to move the kettlebell. The swinging motion should come from your hips and the heels of your feet.
Single-Arm Swing
This move is a lot like the standard swing, but you’re going to really have to pay attention to your balance to do this exercise correctly.
To do the single-arm swing:
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Hold the kettlebell with one hand and keep the other loose so that it can swing behind you for momentum.
- Push the kettlebell forward with your hips while you make sure that your glutes are fully engaged.
- Alternate this movement between hands, performing up to 15 reps for each arm.
Snatch
This is one of the more challenging kettlebell exercises for abs because it uses every inch of your body, as well as increasing your heart rate so you can melt the fat from your abs.
If you’re still trying to get the hang of working out with kettlebells, you will want to focus on the previous two exercises until you feel comfortable enough to attempt this. Also, you should work with a lighter kettlebell until you’ve mastered the form for this exercise.
To do the snatch exercise:
- Keep your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and have the kettlebell on the floor in front of you.
- Bend at your hip while keeping your back straight as you reach for the kettlebell.
- Lift the kettlebell so that art arm is resting on your inner thigh and your knees are still bent.
- Now use some force to drive your hips forward, thrusting the kettlebell up and out into a swing.
- Once the kettlebell is higher than your shoulder, instead of letting it drop like the other exercises, you will want to rotate your hand so that the kettlebell is in a racked position.
- While you are doing this, the kettlebell is over your head. Push the kettlebell upward until your arm is fully extended.
- Now, swing the kettlebell forward and down, bending slightly at the hips so that you can prepare for another rep.
- Repeat this exercise up to six times for each arm.
With these three kettlebell exercises for abs, we’re certain that you’ll be able to achieve the type of abs that you’ve been dreaming of! Leave us a comment below and let us know which of these is your favorite, or if there are any other kettlebell exercises that work well for abs!
