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I am going to add some calisthenics to the kettlebell swing mix

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I am really loving my two-handed, heavy-kettlebell, swing routine but I also plan to add some simple Army-style calisthenics to the mix in addition to slow jogging, indoor cycling, and indoor rowing.

I am going to add some calisthenics to the kettlebell swing mix

Chris Abraham as a Saint Louis JROTC Ranger

Update: I personally choose my cast iron kettlebells from Dragon Door and my competition kettlebells from Kettlebell Kings.

When I was a young lad, I was a member of Saint Louis School's elite JROTC Ranger Club and not only did we practice L ambushes, staggered columns, silent movement, and even tank identification based on profile, but we also worked our asses off doing side-straddle hops (AKA jumping jacks), loads and loads of pushups, sit-ups, and other Army PT-style calisthenics, including lots and lots of running and humping. 

As you know, I am pretty obsessed with the two-handed kettlebell swing—and I plan to keep on keeping in with a relatively heavy-but-lazy routine with my 20kg, 24kg, 32kg, and 40kg cast iron kettlebells from Kettlebells USA—I really think I need to also add some unlazy exercises such as:

  • 8-Count Body Builder
  • Angel of Death
  • Bend and Reach
  • Bent Leg Body Twist
  • Bottoms Up
  • Burpee
  • Extend and Flex
  • Flutter Kick
  • High Jumper
  • Knee Bender
  • Leg Circular
  • Leg Tuck
  • Leg Tuck And Twist
  • Mountain Climber
  • Overhead Arm Pull
  • Power Jump
  • Prone Row
  • Pushups
  • Rower
  • Scissors
  • Side-Straddle Hop
  • Single Leg Over
  • Single Leg Push Up
  • Situps
  • Squat Bender
  • Squat Thrust
  • Squats
  • V-Up
  • Verticals
  • Windmill

That's a lot of calisthenics and I know I will be hit or miss with these daliances away from the daily bread swinging heavy as much as plausible every day. I will stick very hard and very tight with that, but I will add, to this base, the erg, the SkiErg, the slow jogs, and all the callisthenics. Especially with the pushups and the ab work: who doesn't need to be good at pushups and situps? And side-straddle hops!

Chris Abraham as a Saint Louis JROTC Ranger

What ChatGPT Thinks

Adding calisthenics to your kettlebell swing routine can be a great way to improve overall fitness, increase variety in your workouts, and target different muscle groups. Here are some reasons why you might want to add calisthenics to your kettlebell swing mix:

  1. Improved overall fitness: Kettlebell swings are a great exercise for building strength and endurance, but they primarily target the posterior chain muscles. By adding calisthenics exercises such as push-ups, lunges, and squats, you can target additional muscle groups and improve overall fitness.

  2. Enhanced mobility: Kettlebell swings require good hip mobility, but incorporating calisthenics exercises such as yoga poses or bodyweight squats can help improve overall mobility and flexibility.

  3. Increased variety: Adding calisthenics exercises to your kettlebell swing routine can increase variety in your workouts, reducing boredom and increasing motivation.

  4. Balanced muscle development: By incorporating calisthenics exercises that target opposing muscle groups, such as push-ups and rows, you can help promote balanced muscle development and reduce the risk of injury.

  5. Accessible and convenient: Calisthenics exercises require little to no equipment and can be performed anywhere, making them a convenient option for home workouts or travel.

When adding calisthenics to your kettlebell swing routine, it's essential to choose exercises that complement your goals and fitness level. For example, if your primary goal is to build upper body strength, you may want to focus on push-ups, dips, or pull-ups. If you're looking to improve mobility, yoga poses or bodyweight squats may be more appropriate.

Incorporating calisthenics exercises into your kettlebell swing routine can be an effective way to improve overall fitness, increase variety, and target different muscle groups. Just make sure to choose exercises that are appropriate for your goals and fitness level and to prioritize proper form and technique to minimize the risk of injury.

It's great that you're looking to add some calisthenics to your routine in addition to your kettlebell swings. Calisthenics can be a great way to add some variety to your workout and improve your overall fitness.

One thing to keep in mind is that you don't want to overdo it with the calisthenics, especially if you're already doing kettlebell swings and other exercises. It's important to listen to your body and give yourself enough time to recover between workouts.

That being said, here are a few tips to help you incorporate calisthenics into your routine:

  1. Start slowly: If you're new to calisthenics, start with just a few exercises and gradually work your way up. This will help you avoid injury and make sure that you're able to do the exercises correctly.

  2. Mix it up: There are many different calisthenic exercises to choose from, so don't be afraid to mix it up and try new things. This will help keep your workout interesting and prevent boredom.

  3. Focus on form: When doing calisthenics, it's important to focus on proper form to avoid injury and get the most out of each exercise. Take the time to learn the correct form for each exercise and make sure that you're doing them correctly.

  4. Combine with kettlebell swings: To get the most out of your workout, consider combining calisthenics with kettlebell swings. This will give you a full-body workout and help you improve your overall fitness.

  5. Take breaks: Don't forget to take breaks and give yourself enough time to recover between workouts. This will help prevent injury and ensure that you're able to continue your workout routine over the long term.

Overall, incorporating calisthenics into your kettlebell swing routine can be a great way to improve your overall fitness and add some variety to your workout. Just be sure to start slowly, focus on proper form, and give yourself enough time to recover between workouts.

What Bard Thinks

Yes, you can add some calisthenics to your kettlebell swing mix. Calisthenics are bodyweight exercises that can help to improve your strength, flexibility, and endurance. Some good calisthenics exercises to add to your kettlebell swing mix include:

  • Push-ups
  • Pull-ups
  • Dips
  • Squats
  • Lunges
  • Crunches
  • Planks
  • Burpees

You can add these exercises to your kettlebell swing workout in a variety of ways. For example, you could do a set of push-ups after each set of kettlebell swings, or you could do a circuit of calisthenics exercises at the end of your workout.

Adding calisthenics to your kettlebell swing workout can help you to get a more comprehensive workout and to improve your overall fitness.

PS: I would add that it is important to start slowly and gradually increase the difficulty of your calisthenics exercises as you get stronger. It is also important to listen to your body and rest when you need to. If you are new to calisthenics, it is a good idea to consult with a qualified fitness professional before starting a new workout program.

Jul 24, 2020 08:50 PM