Kettlebell 

Workout Program

Improving the Level of Fitness Using Kettlebells


Gaylen Kapperman, Professor Emeritus

Visual Disabilities Program 

Northern Illinois University


Phyllis Dratnol, Graduate Research Assistant

Visual Disabilities Program

Northern Illinois University


Caitlin Madden, Graduate Research Assistant

Visual Disabilities Program

Northern Illinois University


Introduction

A kettlebell is a solid object that has an easily grasped handle protruding from its top. Kettlebells are readily available in many different weights. The authors recommend that the potential user of kettlebells should have the opportunity to handle a variety of kettlebells varying in weights before attempting the exercises which they have described below. Their recommendation is made in order that the user of kettlebells can select the proper weights appropriate to the level of fitness of the user.

The authors developed the descriptions of various exercise routines by viewing many commonly available videos in which kettlebell exercise routines are demonstrated by experts. All of the videos are inaccessible to individuals who have little or no vision. As a consequence, to enable potential users of kettlebells with little or no vision, the authors have carefully analyzed the routines. They chose to describe three levels of exercise routines and “cool down” procedures.

It is recommended that each routine or subroutine be carried out in one-minute increments. As a consequence, the authors recommend the use of a timing device, which will provide auditory feedback signifying one-minute increments without the exerciser having to release the grasp of the kettlebell to control the timing device.

The authors have provided step-by-step detailed, written descriptions that a person without useable sight can read using appropriate technology. Since no recorded versions of the descriptions could be provided, the authors recommend that the reader memorize the steps involved in each routine in order to be able to complete the exercises in an uninterrupted fashion.

Any questions or comments should be addressed to the lead author, Gaylen Kapperman, using the following information:

E-mail: gkapperman@niu.edu

Telephone: 815-753-8453

Visual Disabilities Program

Northern Illinois University

DeKalb, IL 60115

Disclaimer: You should understand that when participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, and assume all risk of injury to yourself.


Kettlebell Freestyle: Level Easy

Warm-Up 1: Full Body Squat

For the warm-up, begin standing with your feet hips-width apart and your feet pointed straight ahead. Allow your arms to hang loosely at your sides. The palms of your hands should be facing your body with the thumbs facing forward.


Warm-Up 2: Shoulder Swing

For this warm-up, begin standing with your feet hips-width apart and pointed straight ahead. The palms of your hands should face your body and your arms should hang loosely at your sides.


Exercise 1: One Arm Row

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Assume a slight bend in the knees. The kettlebell should be placed on the floor in front of your right foot and the handle should be parallel with the side of your body. Bend forward at your waist and bring your chest towards the floor in order that your torso is at a 90 degree angle with your legs and your chest is parallel with the floor.


Exercise 2: Front Squat

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Hold the kettlebell by the handle with both hands at your midline with your arms straight.


Exercise 3: Upright Row

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Hold the kettlebell by the handle with both hands at your midline with your arms straight.


Exercise 4: Outside Foot Pick-Up

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. The kettlebell should be placed on the floor to the side of your right foot. The handle should be parallel with the side of your body.


Exercise 5: Biceps Curl

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Maintain a slight bend in your knees. Hold the kettlebell by the handle with your right hand. The palm of your hand should face forward away from your body with your thumb facing to the side.


Exercise 6: Windmill Dead Lift

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. The kettlebell should be placed behind your right foot.


Exercise 7: Single Arm Swing

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Grasp the kettlebell by the handle with the right hand. Hold the kettlebell at your midline with your arm straight and positioned parallel to the floor.


Cool Down 1: Shoulder and Arm Stretch

For this cool down exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Maintain a slight bend in your knees.


Cool Down 2: Quad Stretch

For this cool down exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Maintain a slight bend in the knees. Balance on one foot. You may wish to stand near a wall or chair for support if needed.


Kettlebell Freestyle: Level Intermediate

To complete this entire workout routine, you should repeat a chosen series of exercises for one minute each. During each minute, you should continue repeating the specific exercise as many times as you can. At the beginning, complete the exercises at a slow, steady pace to ensure proper form is maintained. You may wish to begin with a lighter weight until you are accustomed to the movements. Then, you may wish to increase the weights of the kettlebells. The weight which you choose to use should be light enough in order that you are able to maintain the movements involved in each exercise for the full minute, but heavy enough that you sense that your muscles are being stressed sufficiently during the full minute. As you get stronger, you may wish to increase the pace for a greater challenge and eventually increase the weight as well. Remember, correct form is the most important aspect of the exercises. Thus, do not increase the pace or weight to the extent that your form is compromised.

Between exercises, try to avoid taking breaks. If absolutely necessary, limit breaks between exercises to a maximum of 30 seconds to 1 minute. This workout routine is designed to be done at a fast pace in order that you can achieve the best results in a short period of time.

This workout routine should require about 20 minutes. If you would like a longer workout, repeat Exercises 1 through 8 a second time before you complete the Cool Down phase.


Warm-Up 1: Running in Place

For this warm-up, you should begin standing, with your feet hips-width apart. Your hands should be held up near your chin, with your palms facing inward toward your chin. Make your hands into fists to prepare to begin the exercise.


Warm-Up 2: Upper-Body Twist

For this warm-up exercise, you should widen your stance to a little more than hips-width apart and squat down in order that your legs are at a 45 degree angle – maintaining a moderate squat rather than a deep squat – with your feet parallel to each other and pointing forward. The goal is to squat to a depth that you can maintain for a full minute.

Lift your elbows and bend them in order that they are at the level of your chest and move your hands to your midline.

Engage your abdominals by squeezing your stomach muscles.


Exercise 1: Sumo Deadlift

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet in order that they are no further apart than hips-width. Hold a kettlebell with both hands, arms hanging down straight and relaxed at your center line. Use both hands to hold the handle of the kettlebell. Your feet should not point directly forward, but instead they should point slightly out away from the center of your body.


Exercise 2: Kettlebell Floor Press

To begin this exercise, lie on your back on the floor. Your knees should be bent and your feet should be positioned firmly on the floor. Hold the kettlebell by the handle with one hand. Your arm should be bent at a 90 degree angle with your upper arm resting on the floor. The hand holding the kettlebell should point to the ceiling with the kettlebell resting on the back of the hand throughout the exercise. The elbow of the arm should be positioned to the side of the body forming a perpendicular angle rather than pressed against the midsection. Your other arm should lie flat on the floor, you may press your palm into the floor for extra support.

Lift your hips off the floor and squeeze your glutes while keeping your feet firmly on the floor. Maintain this position for the duration of the exercise.


Exercise 3: Biceps Curl, Squat, and Overhead Press Combo

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your feet pointed forward. Bend your knees slightly. Hold the kettlebell by the ball with both hands rather than by the handle. Your palms should be pressed against the sides and your thumbs should be pressed into the base of the handle. Lift your arms in order that your hands are positioned at the midline near your chin with your elbows bent. The handle of the bell should point in toward your body at a perpendicular angle.


Exercise 4: Glute Bridge and Crunch Combo

To begin this exercise, lie flat on your back, with your knees bent and feet firmly on the floor. For best results, your feet should be positioned close enough to your glutes in order for you to be able to touch your ankles with your hands without sitting up. Hold your kettlebell by the ball with both hands and begin with it resting on your lower stomach or pelvis area whichever is most comfortable for you.


Exercise 5: High Pull Back from Hang

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart, toes pointing directly forward. Hold one kettlebell by the handle in the right hand allowing the arm to hang straight down next to your right leg. Your knees should be slightly bent.

Move your hips back when you bend your knees. When completing this movement, move your kettlebell to hang between your knees. The weight of your body should be felt in your heels. Be certain that your knees are not crossing over your ankles.


Exercise 6: Reverse Lunge and Bicep Curl Combo

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart, toes pointing directly forward. Your weight should be focused on your left leg in order that your right foot is resting lightly on the floor. Hold one kettlebell by the handle in the right hand allowing your arm to hang straight down next to your right leg. Hold the kettlebell in order that your fingers face directly forward and your thumb points to the right. Your arm should be positioned tightly next to the right side of your body. You may rest your left hand on your left hip throughout the exercise.

Move your right foot to the rear far enough that you are able to bend your left leg achieving a 90 degree angle without your knee crossing over your ankle. Your right leg should also be bent at a 90 degree angle with only the ball of your foot and your toes making contact with the floor. Your shin should be parallel to the floor. Maintain your arm position as you lunge back.


Exercise 7: Kettlebell Halo

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart with toes pointing directly forward, with a slight bend in your knees. Your arms should be bent in front of you with your elbows pointing down towards the floor and your two hands holding the kettlebell in front of your chin at the midline position. Hold the kettlebell by the ball with both palms pressed against the sides and your thumbs hooked into the base of the handle. The handle of the kettlebell should be facing up. Your thumbs should be closest to your body while the fingers of both hands face away from your body.


Exercise 8: Kettlebell Swing

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet a little wider than hips-width apart with your toes pointing directly forward and with a slight bend in your knees. Hold the kettlebell by the handle with both hands at your midline with your fingers facing forward away from your body. Your arms should be positioned straight down and the kettlebell should be positioned near your pelvis. The handle of the kettlebell should be facing up.


Cool Down 1: Quad Stretch

For the cool down routine, you should begin by standing with your feet hips-width apart. You may need to use a structure upon which to brace yourself. It can be a wall, table, or a chair. You may wish to practice balancing by not using any structure for bracing. Shift your weight in order that it is focused on your left leg.


Cool Down 2: Toe Touch into Scarecrow

For this cool down exercise, begin standing with your feet together touching at your midline with toes pointing directly in front of you.


Cool Down 3: Page Turner

For this cool down exercise, begin lying on the floor on your right side in order that your right shoulder, torso, hip, legs, and feet are in contact with the floor. Bend your knees to a 90 degree angle in order that they are perpendicular to your body. Straighten your arms in front of you in order that your right arm is resting on the floor with palm facing up and your left palm is resting on your right palm.


Cool Down 4: Child’s Pose into Upward Facing Dog

For this cool down routine, begin by assuming a position on the floor on your hands and knees resting your weight mainly on your legs to reduce the pressure on your wrists. Your palms, knees, and the tops of your feet should be positioned flatly on the floor.


Kettlebell Freestyle: Level Advanced

To complete this entire workout routine, you should repeat each series of exercises for a duration of one minute for each set. Within each minute, you should repeat each routine as many times as you can. At the beginning, complete the exercises at a slow, steady pace to ensure proper form is maintained. You may wish to begin with a lighter weight until you are accustomed to the movements. Then, you may wish to challenge yourself using heavier weights. The weight you use should be light enough in order that you are able to maintain each movement properly for the full minute. The weight should be heavy enough in order that you sense that your muscles are stressed throughout the full minute. As you get stronger, you may increase your pace for a greater challenge and eventually increase your weight as well. Remember, correct form is the most important aspect. Thus, do not challenge yourself to the extent that your form is compromised.

Between routines, avoid taking breaks. If absolutely necessary, limit breaks between routines to a maximum of 30 seconds to 1 minute. The workout routine is designed to be done at a fast pace in order that you can achieve the best results in a short period of time.

In general, this workout routine should require about 20 minutes for completion. If you want a longer workout, repeat Exercises 1 through 10 a second time before you complete the Cool Down stretching segment.


Warm-Up 1: Jumping Jacks

For this warm-up routine, begin standing with your feet a little wider than hips-width apart and your knees slightly bent.


Warm-Up 2: High Punch-Out

For this warm-up routine, begin standing with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Your arms should be bent with your hands in fists in line with your chin. Engage your abdominals by squeezing your stomach, imagine forcing your abdominal muscles back towards your spine.


Warm-Up 3 Opposite-Side Toe Touch

For this warm-up routine, begin standing with your feet a little wider than hips-width apart with your toes pointing forward, and your knees slightly bent. Raise your arms up in order they are in line with your shoulders and parallel to one another. Your elbows should have a very slight bend.


Exercise 1: Squat and One-Arm Row Combo

To begin this routine, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Hold one kettlebell by the handle with your right hand and your arm extended down in front of your right leg.


Exercise 2: Single-Repetition Swing and Bear Plank Combo

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet wider than hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Hold one kettlebell by the handle at your midline with both hands. Bend over in order that your kettlebell rests on the floor in front of you. It should be placed approximately one foot in front of your feet. Bend your knees considerably.


Exercise 3: Curl and Press Combo

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Grasp the kettlebell by the handle with your right hand, your arm should be positioned straight down at your side. Hold the handle of the kettlebell so that the palm of your hand and your fingernails are facing forward.


Exercise 4: Single-Repetition Swing and Deadlift Jump Combo

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet wider than hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Hold the kettlebell by the handle at your midline with both hands. Bend over allowing your kettlebell to rest on the floor in front of you. It should be about one foot in front of your feet. Bend your knees considerably.


Exercise 5: One-Arm Clean

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Hold the kettlebell with your right hand positioned straight down at your side.


Exercise 6: Gorilla Row

To begin this exercise, place the kettlebell on the floor in front of your left foot. Stand with your feet hips-width apart, toes pointed forward.


Exercise 7: Reverse Lunge

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Hold one kettlebell by the handle in your right hand. Your arm should be positioned straight up in line with your shoulder in order that the palm of your hand and your fingernails are facing in towards your midline. The kettlebell should rest on the back of your hand. Hold your arm in this position for the entire minute for the duration of the exercise.


Exercise 8: Uneven Push-Up

To begin this exercise, you should be positioned on the floor in a push-up position with legs straight back, with the balls of your feet and your toes on the floor with arms straight under your shoulders. Your face should be facing down at the floor. Place the kettlebell at the location where your right hand is on the floor. Hold the kettlebell by the handle in this position. Engage your abs by tightening your stomach muscles.


Exercise 9: Side Lunge and Press Up

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and your toes pointed forward. Hold the kettlebell with your right hand with your arm bent to the extent that your elbow points straight down toward the floor and your hand is in front of your shoulder. The palm of your hand and your fingernails should be facing inward towards your chin. The kettlebell should rest on the back of your hand.


Exercise 10: Front Squat and Rotational Press Combo

To begin this exercise, stand with your feet slightly wider than hips-width apart. Grasping the handle of the kettlebell. Hold it with your right hand in front of your shoulder. Your elbow should be bent pointing down towards the floor. The palm of your hand and your fingernails should face inward towards your head. The kettlebell should rest on the back of your hand.


Cool-Down 1: Wall Angel

For this cool down exercise, stand with your feet together and your back against a wall. Move your arms to the point that your upper arms are parallel to the floor and your fingers are pointing straight up to the ceiling. Your palms should be facing out in front of you with the back of your hands pressing against the wall.


Cool-Down 2: Toe Touch

In this cool down exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart and toes pointing forward.


Cool-Down 3: Butterfly

In this cool down exercise, sit on the floor with the soles of your feet touching at your midline and your knees bent in order that the sides of your legs touch the floor and your knees are pointed out away from your midline.


Cool Down 4: Chest Opener

In this cool down exercise, stand with your feet hips-width apart.