The kettlebell one arm swing is a dynamic exercise that targets the posterior chain, including the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back.

To perform the exercise, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in one hand.

  1. Hinge at your hips and lower the kettlebell between your legs.
  2. Drive through your hips to swing the kettlebell forward and upward to shoulder height.
  3. Keep your arm straight and engage your core throughout the movement.
  4. Allow the kettlebell to swing back down between your legs and repeat.

How to perform the Kettlebell One Arm Swing

  1. Set up. Set up in a stable, balanced starting position appropriate for the Kettlebell One Arm Swing using your kettlebell.
  2. Brace and execute. Brace your core, control the descent, and move through a full pain-free range of motion while emphasizing your calves.
  3. Reset. Reverse the movement under control and reset between repetitions, keeping your form crisp on every rep.

Coaching cues

  • Move with intent — every rep should feel deliberate, not rushed.
  • Drive force through your calves rather than momentum.
  • Keep your breathing steady: exhale on the hard part, inhale on the reset.

Common mistakes

  • Using too much weight and losing positional control.
  • Cutting the range of motion short and missing the target muscle.
  • Letting your spine round or hyperextend instead of staying neutral.

Detailed cues, common mistakes, and demonstration video are available in the Fitly app.

Build a free routine

Stage exercises here, then sign up to save them as a real Fitly routine — synced to web and mobile.

View staged routine (0)

Variations of Kettlebell One Arm Swing

Related exercises

0 exercises staged Save your routine — sign up free.