3 Unorthodox Kettlebell Ab Exercises That Build Bulletproof Core Strength

Typical ab workouts are boring: sit-ups and planks that feel more like punishment than training.

Kettlebells offer better options.

Movements such as suitcase carries, Russian twists, and overhead holds actually challenge your core in ways planks never will.

But there are other kettlebell core exercises: unorthodox movements that add variety and target your abs in completely different ways.

Here are three you need to try.

You've probably heard of the Turkish get-up: one of the most famous kettlebell exercises out there.

It begins lying flat, then sitting up while rolling onto your extended arm, all with the kettlebell locked overhead.

If you take only this part, it creates an excellent core exercise: the Turkish sit-up.

The Turkish sit-up adds rotation and overhead stability to the basic sit-up, making it far more challenging.

This movement translates well to combat sports: pushing opponents away and standing up from the ground.

This exercise combines two movements: a kettlebell pull-over and a sit-up.

You start lying flat with the kettlebell on the ground behind your head.

Pull the kettlebell over your chest as you sit up.

The pull-over engages your lats and upper back while your abs power through the sit-up.

The kettlebell weight overloads your abdominal muscles.

Using momentum gets you unstuck from the hardest initial part at the bottom.

The plank is probably the most popular static core exercise out there.

But planks have limits: to progress, you increase time until you're shaking and suffering for minutes.

The better approach is to use weight to overload your core instead of adding time.

That's exactly what the kettlebell pull-through does: adds weight and dynamic movement component.

Get in plank position, then pull a kettlebell through from one side to the other.

While you pull, your core has to stabilize against rotation as the weight shifts side to side.

This movement builds a stronger and more functional core than any static hold.

Add one of these exercises after every training session.

It will strengthen your core, add variety, and make the training more enjoyable.

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