Kettlebell Swing

I've been doing some kettlebell swings (32 kg Towel Swing) just for 3 training sessions and I found that my back lever feels a lot easier now, I also tried some advanced pseudo planche pu and could raise my toes from the ground for a few seconds with strength, not with hop.

I wonder if anyone could share the experiences they had with this exercise.

I feel it is a great supplemental exercise for gymnastics, because the movement also resembles a jump.

I remember that Coach Sommer also wrote about one of his athletes, who got benefits in his planche training from doing swings with a dumbbell.

hmm, interesting.

Yes, I have found KB swings to be a very good exercise. They are not however something that I include in the training of my athletes on a regular basis, although a strong case can be presented that they probably should be.

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

I have heard that the kettlebell swing is good for hip extension, which is also an attribute of the deadlift, although there are some obvious differences. Can anyone comment on the benefits of the kettlebell in this regard in contrast to the deadlift, especially in the context of gymnastics and Gymnastic Strength Training™?

Hmm, I like both and would consider a KB swing more dynamic than a DL.

However, I have concerns over the KB swing in our gym. I'm not sure our insurance would cover us if there was an accident and the chances of an accident with them are higher (like DB). Why? Because I'm just waiting for them to be dropped and smushing a foot or toe or launched.

I am considering bringing a good ole 1.25" bar for my boys to work weighted glute bridges with or possibly DL. That's it. I might even let the other coaches use them.

As well, a DL is much simpler to teach imo, especially to a child. I've heard of Mary Tracy using them with her optional/elite girls but honestly I'd trust those girls more. Yes, I don't trust my boys much.

We have already gone over the DL with my boys with these body bars. However, because they must be wider to be heavier are a bit troublesome for some of my guys. We also have gone over jump shrugs aka clean/snatch pulls mainly to teach in opening the hip and for the explosive work.

Unfortunately, we don't get to do floor glute hams unless the low beams are not being used (so we do glute bridges) and we even have a trying time to work in sprints during conditioning due to space (or having to go across the gym and back to do them).

I think either the KB or the DL would fit very well in whole body strength training. With the DL, I could focus on heavy weight and not have to worry about projectiles or smushed toes. As well, it would be cheaper for me. I'm not looking into the adjustable plate KB thingies at this time. I can buy 2 cheap 1.25" bars for $50+tax and I have 100/100lb of plates for them. $50 buys me like 1 or 2 KB maybe locally (very small KB) and I could probably argue for a DL rather than KB work when it comes to the Competitive Program Head Coach and Gym Owner much easier.