Whether you’re an advanced lifter or a beginner, standing ettlebell abs exercises are a great way to strengthen your core. They also challenge your stability and balance. Plus, they’re easy to do in the comfort of your home.
Start with a high plank position, with your wrists under your shoulders and a kettlebell next to your left hand. Maintain this form, drawing your shoulder blades back and down to prevent hunching over and engaging core so body forms a straight line from head to heels (think vertical plank).
Pull kettlebell toward the side of your chest using your right arm. Make sure your elbow is tucked in close to your body, avoid rotating your torso and return to the starting position.
The Benefits of Using Kettlebells for Ab Workouts
Windmill – Beginners should begin with no weight, while advanced lifters use a kettlebell to challenge the stabilizer muscles of the core. Begin standing with feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out. Press kettlebell overhead, eyes on it, while shifting your hips to the right, bending right knee and reaching fingertips to floor, allowing elbow to track along inside of knee for duration of movement.
Single-arm swing – Stand with feet wide enough for a single-arm swing. Keep your arms extended and drive kettlebell forward. Complete 8 to 10 reps on each side.
Wood chops – Kneel on your knees with shins against the floor and torso upright. Hold a kettlebell in your left hand.
This exercise is similar to a Turkish get-up, but the kettlebell pulls out more of your obliques and takes away from your spinal erectors. Do 2 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions on each side.