One of the ultimate expressions of a solid fitness foundation at any age is the ability to capably and smoothly get up and down from the ground under load.
The turkish get up or kettlebell get up is a supreme exercise to incorporate into your training program to achieve this highly desirable goal.
So why learn how to do the kettlebell getup and make it a staple in your fitness training?
Because when you perform this ultimate exercise it is literally a true one-stop-shop movement that covers all of your fitness needs that will reward your body with huge physical dividends.
Those valuable physical rewards include developing incredible mobility, strength ,and stability throughout a dynamic range of movement that will also help clean up many of your nagging achy shoulder & joint issues we all seem to have accumulated in varying degrees.
Think about that for a moment – What’s the use of being strong if you can’t demonstrate that strength through a full range of smooth, pain -free movement in different planes of motion like our bodies were designed to perform?
Our modern lifestyles compounded with gimmicky, over-engineered fitness gadgets have contributed to poor movement quality which translates into poor life quality.
The kettlebell getup is an excellent movement to reverse this disturbing quality of life trend and position you for a life of “doing” and not a life of sitting on the sidelines nursing ailments while regaling people with stories of meaningful activities you used to be able to perform.
If you choose to travel down this road of the immobile and sedentary, make sure you learn how to talk quick because not many people are going to hang around and listen to what you can’t do anymore!
People want to be around active doers. Not inactive dreamers who have given up on life.
The kettlebell getup is one of those exercises that will keep you young as you practice it since it will teach you how to move through a solid range of motion whereby you will be demonstrating strength continuously throughout a series of multi-plane movements from the ground up and vice versa.
Staying connected to and practicing the kettlebell getup is truly like sipping from the fountain of youth as it is that damn good at helping us age and move powerfully and gracefully.
Oh and do you want to really build a strong core that everybody seems to chase, but never really attains and get an incredible abs workout to boot?
Then look no further than incorporating the kettlebell get up into your workout routine as it is one of the best core exercises ever developed.
Bonus Benefits
Since this is a true total body exercise you will be recruiting a lot of muscles thus putting a great caloric demand on your body.
Remember: The more muscles you recruit during a movement, the more calories your body will use.
That’s why I almost exclusively perform total body exercises as they have the biggest metabolic payoff without wasting my precious time invested.
Translation:
You will burn A Lot of fat with this workout movement while getting super tight and lean !
You may find yourself huffing and puffing even after performing a few rounds of the kettlebell getup, so you can also throw in experiencing awesome cardio workout benefits when you do this perfect exercise and include it in your training program.
Check out the videos below and get comfortable practicing each part of the kettlebell getup before moving on to the next steps. I have broken it down to three short videos to make it easier for you to pattern and position you for success. I strongly suggest you try this movement empty (holding no weight) to get the patterning down before putting a kettlebell in your hand.
You will still get great benefits from this exercise without using a kettlebell as this movement is that powerful and transformative pertaining to your conditioning, movement quality and accelerating you toward the ideal body composition you desire.
TIPS And GUIDELINES:
Make sure you always do a thoughtful, effective and proper warmup
Be aware of your surroundings at all times
Pattern and perform the kettlebell get up in small, manageable parts in order to progress to and “own” the entire movement.
Practice and “own” each step of the getup with good form.
Do each move SLOWLY for maximum benefit (start with a 5 second hold on each movement progression to really feel and pattern the parts of this supreme exercise)
Start with a light kettlebell or no weight at all (Recommended) – It’s very important to perform the movements correctly before adding or increasing the weight on this exercise
Gripping a filled plastic water bottle is also an excellent way to pattern the movement before earning your way to wielding a kettlebell.
Do the same amount of repetitions on each side- start with 1 on each side and progress to 3-5 on each side dictated by your technique quality and fitness level
BE SAFE – Don’t rush through the movements or use more weight than you can handle and turn this beautiful exercise into a ridiculous circus stunt or ill performed carnival act gone wrong that some out there have embraced just to get desperately needed attention.
By all means challenge yourself, but believe me- you don’t need to hoist a lot of weight to experience great benefits and results from this fantastic exercise.
The kettlebell get up is an iconic exercise in the realm of kettlebell training and deserves its status as one of the awesomely beneficial pillar exercises for total body transformational fitness along with the kettlebell swing, kettlebell goblet/front squat and kettlebell overhead press.
So enjoy & reap the benefits for yourself of one of the oldest & most beneficial exercises that has ever been developed on this planet that has incredible transference to your everyday activities and quality of life!
Learn and experience the incredible fitness and health benefits of this timeless total body exercise! It feels great, it will get you looking great and your new movement quality will make even a Bengal Tiger envious!
Stay Well! Take Action! Be Consistent! Train and Eat Smart! And attack your day to make it more productive and fun!
Related: Should You Skip A Warmup?
Related: My Take On The Kettlebell
Related: Can You Handle Five Truths?
Authored by Mark Mellohusky
I’m not the strongest, richest, smartest, fastest, most politically correct or best looking man you will find on this planet, but I am damn sure one of the most capable and purpose driven people you will ever meet.
I’m a director of finance who just happens to have a love for physical culture who enjoys chasing and practicing ways to promote the highest quality life for as long as I walk the planet.
My goals are to age in a powerfully capable manner, maintain a pleasing body composition , move in full ranges of pain free bliss, maintain a high level of financial independence and attract quality people while unapologetically repelling the undesirables from my life.
I Eat T-Bone Steaks And Lift Kettlebell Weights
No apologies – No regrets. Now go get shit done!
Seven Stars Fitness