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Do kettlebell swings do anything besides cardio?

Posted on 8/18/25 at 2:40 pm
Posted by Tiger Ryno
#WoF
Member since Feb 2007
107304 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 2:40 pm
I see a lot of people doing them. Ive never tried. Looks like more of a cardio deal?
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
16196 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 2:42 pm to
I see it daily and always wonder about their shoulder joints. It just doesn't seem safe to me.
Posted by BigPerm30
Member since Aug 2011
30683 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 2:42 pm to
Do some heavy arse Russian KB swings and let me know how your hamstrings, glutes and abs feel the next day.
Posted by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
39438 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 2:52 pm to
Yes. Moving heavy weights from one place to another, in whatever manner you decide to do it will build strength, in some form or fashion.
Posted by hogfly
Fayetteville, AR
Member since May 2014
5054 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 3:19 pm to
Yes. They work the entire posterior chain among other things. That being said, they need to be executed with proper form in order to benefit the most from them and to prevent injury.

As for shoulders, they don't bother my shoulders at all, and I've done the 10,000 swing challenge during COVID.

This post was edited on 8/18/25 at 3:22 pm
Posted by Tiger Ryno
#WoF
Member since Feb 2007
107304 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 3:35 pm to
How heavy we talking beb?
Posted by BigPerm30
Member since Aug 2011
30683 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 3:44 pm to
I use the 88lbs. You should use the 35lbs.
Posted by Yeti_Chaser
Member since Nov 2017
11320 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 3:46 pm to
quote:

always wonder about their shoulder joints

You're not supposed to use your shoulders
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
16196 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 4:02 pm to
quote:

You're not supposed to use your shoulders


I've never considered doing them so never researched the correct form but I'm pretty sure many of the people I watch are doing them incorrectly.
Posted by lsucoonass
shreveport and east texas
Member since Nov 2003
69607 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 4:59 pm to
Typical Russian swing as far as I know is usually no higher than chin or eye level. Alternative swings go overhead

This post was edited on 8/18/25 at 5:00 pm
Posted by lsucoonass
shreveport and east texas
Member since Nov 2003
69607 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 5:07 pm to
Russian wrestlers use to do bridges with them along with overhead throws to improve their strength and explosiveness for takedowns/throws/slams
Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
12800 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 5:35 pm to
quote:

I've never considered doing them so never researched the correct form but I'm pretty sure many of the people I watch are doing them incorrectly.

So, you've never researched the correct form, but you spot people doing them incorrectly? WTF?
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
16196 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 5:43 pm to
It's not difficult. Yes. I can see people doing motions with weights that is likely to cause rotator cuff injury. I'm not saying every day but on a few occasions. It's planet fitness btw if that provides any context. I did see someone vaping on the chest fly machine a few weeks ago.
This post was edited on 8/18/25 at 5:45 pm
Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
12800 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 5:54 pm to
You're actually putting the force into the kettlebell with your posterior chain, shoulders are just stabilizers to guide it. Since it's Planet Fitness, start watching people do the butt wink when the squat, or flare their elbows when the bench, it'll drive you nuts.
Posted by hogfly
Fayetteville, AR
Member since May 2014
5054 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 6:30 pm to
quote:

Typical Russian swing as far as I know is usually no higher than chin or eye level. Alternative swings go overhead


Correct. That’s the generally accepted and original swing taught in RKC and StrongFirst.

“American swings” (aka done by cross fitters) are the ones where you swing higher almost to snatch height. Like a lot of CrossFit shite (kipping pullips) there’s a high chance for fricking yourself up if you don’t do it right.

This post was edited on 8/19/25 at 10:45 am
Posted by Mingo Was His NameO
Brooklyn
Member since Mar 2016
35784 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 6:36 pm to
quote:

“American swings” (aka done by cross fitters) are the ones where you swing higher almost to snatch height. Like a lot of CrossFit shite (lopping pullips) there’s a high chance for fricking yourself up if you don’t do it right.


“Overhead” swings have been around forever. The term American swing was adopted by CrossFit but you can find overhead swings referenced in kettlebell training for decades.

And there’s nothing wrong with American or overhead swings, the people that get hurt have bad mobility, it’s the Indian not the arrow that’s causing the injury
Posted by Aubie Spr96
lolwut?
Member since Dec 2009
43818 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 8:37 pm to
I have a workout book, “Simple and Sinister”, that is two exercises: single arm KB swings and Turkish Get Ups. A 50 lb KB is a good workout for me doing this workout.
Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
12800 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 8:48 pm to
quote:

Want it to progressively get worse? Start lighter and end heavy.
Want it to progressively get better? Start heavy and drop a kettlebell size every round.

It must always get worse. But I consider that better. Turkish GU are a pain in the arse. Which means we should do more of them.
Posted by billjamin
Houston
Member since Jun 2019
16279 posts
Posted on 8/18/25 at 10:17 pm to
They’re really good at fricking up your back or shoulders if you do them like I see the crossfitters next door do them.
Posted by boxcarbarney
Above all things, be a man
Member since Jul 2007
25403 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 10:33 am to
quote:

I see it daily and always wonder about their shoulder joints. It just doesn't seem safe to me.



Kettlebell swings are a hip hinge movement, not a shoulder one.

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