Which exercise involves swinging a kettlebell between your legs?

The kettlebell swing is the exercise that involves swinging a kettlebell between the legs.

In a standard swing, the weight travels backward between the thighs and then forward as the exerciser forcefully extends the hips. The movement is driven mainly by a hip hinge rather than by lifting the bell with the arms. This makes it a ballistic exercise that develops power and challenges the glutes, hamstrings, trunk, shoulders, and grip.

The exercise has several recognized forms. The Russian swing generally finishes around chest or eye height, while the American swing continues overhead. Hardstyle swings emphasize a powerful hinge and a crisp lockout; kettlebell-sport swings use a more pendulum-like rhythm and greater knee bend. These are variations of the same basic movement, not the clean and jerk or a goblet squat.

Kettlebells themselves have a long Russian history. The girya was used as a metal weighing weight in the 18th century, and the equipment later spread through circus strength work and organized athletics. Competitive kettlebell lifting, or girevoy sport, is dated to 1885. Good technique keeps the spine controlled and lets the hips generate the motion.