How to do a Kettlebell Lunge with Rotation
Reviewed by JP Michelsen, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
About Kettlebell Lunge with Rotation
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
This exercise is a more complex and challenging variation of the standard lunge. Like the lunge lunge, this exercise primarily targets your quads. The added twist also increases the demand for recruiting your core for stability. This is a great exercise for anyone looking to make their lunges a bit more challenging.
- Stand upright with your feet hip width apart while holding a kettlebell against your chest.
- Step your right foot forward before bending your knees to descend into a lunge until your left knee touches the floor.
- Rotate your shoulders to the left keeping the kettlebell against your chest.
- Return the upright position and repeat with the opposite side.
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Alternative Exercises to Kettlebell Lunge with Rotation
1. Leg Extension
99.4 mSCORESWAPPED 409 TIMESLeg Extensions are an isolation exercise that target the quads. Due to a severe lack of isolation movements for the lower body, this is a great option for specifically targeting your quadriceps. The use of a machine restricts your range of motion, and adds some stability to the movement. This can help your focus more on exertion than stabilizing the movement. The downside to this exercise is that it places a lot of tension on your knee. Keep your weights light, and focus on pausing near the end of your range of motion.
- Beginner
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- Leg Extension Machine
2. Dumbbell Squat
94.1 mSCORESWAPPED 321 TIMESDumbbell Squat is a variation of the more standard Squat. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. The advantage of using dumbbells rather than a barbell is that you have more freedom in your range of motion which can make this a more accessible variation for anyone with mobility limitations. With that freedom comes a bit more instability with this exercise though, which can help you further improve your squat for, and build the strength needed for heavier, or more complex variations.
3. Dumbbell Sumo Squat
81 mSCORESWAPPED 312 TIMESA squat exercise performed with dumbbells, in a wide-legged stance to target the legs and glutes.
4. Dumbbell Lunge
97.6 mSCORESWAPPED 297 TIMESDumbbell Lunge is a variation on the more standard Lunge. Similar to other Lunge variations, Dumbbell Lunge is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quads. The exercise itself is the same as a standard lunge except for the added weight from holding dumbbells in each hand. This is a great variation for anyone looking to make their lunges a bit more challenging without adding more complexity to the movement.
5. Air Squats
92.1 mSCORESWAPPED 278 TIMESAir Squats are a bodyweight variation of Squats. Like other variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps. Without any added resistance this is easily one of the most beginner friendly exercises out there. It’s a great way to start building strength, and working your way towards more advanced variations.
- Beginner
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6. Dumbbell Squat To Shoulder Press
98.1 mSCORESWAPPED 200 TIMESDumbbell Squat to Shoulder Press is a combination of a Dumbbell Squat and a Shoulder Press. Both pieces of this exercise are compound movements that primarily target the quads and shoulders respectively. Combining these two movements is more than just the sum of its parts. It’s a very functional movement that has tons of practical applications, especially for sports. It’s also a great starting point for anyone looking to build the strength and conditioning needed for more explosive exercises like Thrusters, or eventually Olympic lifts.
7. Lunge
90.8 mSCORESWAPPED 186 TIMESLunges are one of the most common lower body exercises out there. It’s a compound exercise that primarily targets your quads. In order to return to a standing position with this exercise you need to engage your quads in order to push yourself back up. This further emphasizes your quadriceps compared to other Lunge variations, however this also places more tension on your knee. By stepping forward with a single leg taking most of the load, you can more easily identify, and address any discrepancies in mobility or strength between sides.
- Beginner
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8. Dual Kettlebell Front Squat
64.2 mSCORESWAPPED 172 TIMESDual Kettlebell Front Squat is a variation on the more standard Front Squat. Like other Front Squat variations, this compound exercise primarily targets your quadriceps. The use of kettlebells can make this exercise more accessible for anyone with limitations in upper body mobility. This is a great exercise for working your way towards performing a standard Front Squat.
- Intermediate
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9. Dumbbell Goblet Squat
87.9 mSCORESWAPPED 166 TIMESDumbbell Goblet Squat is a variation on the more standard Front Squat. Like other squat variations, this compound exercise primarily targets the quadriceps. Goblet squats are beneficial because they require less upper body mobility in order to keep the weight in the proper position compared to using a barbell.
10. Kettlebell Front Squat
70.9 mSCORESWAPPED 164 TIMESKettlebell Front Squat is a variation of Front Squat that utilizes a single kettlebell instead of a barbell. Like other front squats, this compound exercise primarily targets your quadriceps. The use of a kettlebell instead of a barbell can make this a more accessible variation since it requires less mobility in your upper body to keep the weight in the proper position.
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