Kettlebell exercises are some of the best ways to target your abs. Unlike traditional ab workouts, kettlebells challenge your core in dynamic ways. The movements involve not just your ab muscles, but also your entire body. This makes them a great choice for anyone looking to improve both strength and endurance. In this article, we’ll explore the best kettlebell exercises for abs that can help you sculpt your midsection. These moves will engage your core, build stability, and give you noticeable results over time.
Russian Twist with Kettlebell
- Sit on the floor with your feet slightly raised off the ground.
- Hold the kettlebell with both hands in front of your chest.
- Rotate your torso from side to side, tapping the kettlebell gently on the ground beside your hip each time.
- Keep your core engaged throughout the movement for maximum effect.
Effect: This move primarily targets the obliques while also working the rectus abdominis.
Windmill Movement with Kettlebell
- Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell overhead.
- Slowly bend at the hips and lower your opposite hand toward the ground while keeping your body in a straight line.
- Keep your eye on the kettlebell as you rotate your torso, ensuring proper form.
- Engage your core to maintain balance and stability during the movement.
Effect: This dynamic stretch strengthens your core and obliques while improving flexibility and stability.
Power Swing with Kettlebell
- Grasp the kettlebell with both hands, and position your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Push your hips back and then thrust them forward to swing the kettlebell up to chest level.
- Keep your back straight and core engaged, focusing on generating power from your hips.
- Allow the kettlebell to swing back between your legs and repeat.
Effect: The kettlebell swing strengthens your entire core, especially your lower abs and lower back, while also engaging your glutes and hamstrings.
Kettlebell Clean and Press
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, kettlebell in front of you on the floor.
- Hinge at your hips to grab the kettlebell, then “clean” it by bringing it up to shoulder height in one smooth motion.
- Press the kettlebell overhead while keeping your core tight and your back straight.
- Lower the kettlebell back to the shoulder, then return it to the floor.
Effect: This full-body movement targets the core, especially the abs, while also engaging the shoulders, back, and legs. It helps improve core stability and strength through dynamic movement.
Deadbug Exercise with Kettlebell
- Lie on your back with a kettlebell held in both hands above your chest.
- Raise your legs to a 90-degree angle and lower one leg while extending the opposite arm with the kettlebell.
- Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
- Keep your lower back pressed to the floor and your core activated at all times.
Effect: This exercise strengthens the deep abdominal muscles, especially the lower abs, while improving coordination.
Turkish Get-Up with Kettlebell
- Start lying flat on your back with a kettlebell in one hand extended above you.
- Slowly rise to a seated position, then transition to standing while keeping the kettlebell overhead.
- Reverse the movement to return to the starting position.
- Focus on controlling each phase of the movement with a tight core.
Effect: The Turkish get-up engages all parts of your core, from the lower abs to the obliques, while improving full-body coordination and mobility.
Incorporating the best kettlebell exercises for abs into your routine is an excellent way to build a stronger core. These exercises not only target your abs but also improve overall stability and strength. Stay consistent with your training, and you’ll see noticeable results in no time.
I’m Riley Williams, an editor for Leadman Fitness where we engineer bespoke strength equipment tailored to unique training goals. My expertise lies in home gym solutions, mobility tools, and injury-prevention gear, shaped by 8 years as a strength coach and rehab specialist. I know how subtle design flaws—a knurling pattern that blisters hands or a bolt that loosens mid-session—can derail progress.
I bridge the gap between our production team and everyday athletes: surveying garage gym owners, analyzing wear patterns on returned gear, and pressure-testing prototypes with physical therapists. My content cuts through marketing hype, focusing on practical fixes—whether you’re retrofitting a basement gym or sourcing commercial equipment that survives 24/7 use. If it’s in our catalog, I’ve stress-tested it myself.