7 Kettlebell Lunge Variations

7 Kettlebell Lunge Variations to Get Those Toned Legs

Get your grind on with these 7 kettlebell lunges so you have those model legs:

1. Standard Kettlebell Lunges
2. Walking Lunges with Kettlebell
3. Side Lunges with Kettlebell
4. Kettlebell Reverse Lunges
5. Kettlebell Lunge with Pass Under
6. Kettlebell Curtsy Lunges
7. Kettlebell Lunge and Press

If you’ve ever felt sore on leg days after doing some lunges, then you’re in it for hobbling-wobbling legs after taking it to another level with kettlebell lunges! These aren’t just any lunges – they’re your ticket to notching up your lower body workouts. With 7 fun and challenging variations, you’re about to lunge, lift, and love your way to stronger and defined legs. Whether it’s the standard forward lunge or the much-dreaded walking lunges, these variations are the perfect way to add some fun and a lotta burn to your leg day routine!

If you don’t feel comfortable with kettlebells, you can always switch to ankle weight leg exercises.

1. Standard Kettlebell Lunges

Not only do the traditional, standard kettlebell lunges target your quads, hammies and glutes, they also work your core and stabilizers. This exercise is specifically beneficial because it’s easy to do and effectively builds your strength and stability.

Step-by-step instructions:

• Before you start, make sure you’ve got your workout leggings or high-stretch gym shorts on.
• Stand with your feet hip-width apart while holding the kettlebell against your chest.
• Like your classic lunge, take a step forward, lowering your body with your toes pointing forward.
• Make sure your back is neutral and straight to avoid curving.
• As you lower your body into the lunge, make sure your knee doesn’t go back your toes.
• Push your way back up, lunging with your other leg to complete one rep.

Add this kettlebell exercise to your lower body band workout.

2. Walking Lunges with Kettlebell

The kettlebell walking lunge is the perfect exercise to sculpt your legs all the way from your glutes and down to your calves. While the weight with the lunge boosts strength, the walking will pace up your heartbeat, giving you the cardio, you typically avoid.

Step-by-step instructions:

• Stand with your back straight and in a neutral position.
• Make sure you brace your core to maintain your posture and keep it stable.
• Your feet should be should-width apart.
• Press the kettlebell against your chest or if you have 2 kettlebells, then hold them by your sides.
• While bending your non-working leg, take a step forward while lowering your body into a lunge.
• Make sure your toes are pointing straight ahead so you are stable.
• Pushing through your heel, stand up straight and switch to your next leg to complete one rep.

For a complete at-home workout, incorporate this exercise into our resistance band lower body workout routine.

3. Side (Lateral) Lunges with Kettlebell

Targeting your glute medius, quads, adductors and core muscles, this exercise is perfect for sculpting and toning your legs. Along with building strength in your legs, this exercise also works your hip stabilizers, boosting your functional strength.

Step-by-step instructions:

• Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
• Make sure your shoulders are retracted, your chest puffed up and you’re looking forward.
• Hold the kettlebell with both hands, pressing it against your chest.
• Take a big step to your side, pointing your toe outward.
• Now, while pushing your hips to create a hinge, bend your knee so you’re lunging towards the side.
• Make sure your knee doesn’t cross your toe and you’ve braced your core.
• Lower your body as deep as you can, then push back upward with your heel.
• Repeat this with your other leg to complete one rep.

Learn how to do side or lateral lunges properly.

4. Kettlebell Reverse Lunges

For those who struggle with knee problems, this exercise is the perfect alternative to kettlebell front lunges. This exercise is much easier on your knees when compared to forward lunges. However, it fires up your glutes and quads like no other!

Step-by-step instructions:

• Stand upright with your feet hip-width apart, holding the kettlebell against your chest.
• Take a step backward, placing the ball on your foot on the ground.
• Lower yourself into a lunge, until both your knees form a 90° angle.
• Maintain a neutral spine and keep your chest puffed out during your lift.
• Using your heel, push yourself back into a standing position.
• Switch onto your other leg to complete one rep.

Add this exercise to your powerful leg workout routine for an epic burn.

5. Kettlebell Lunge with Pass Under

If your goal is to sculpt your legs, improve your balance and coordination and boost your strength, then the kettlebell lunge with pass under is the exercise you need! This move not only helps you build your quads, glutes, hamstrings and core, it also works your obliques during the pass under. In addition, this exercise improves your overall coordination as well.

Step-by-step instructions:

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart
• With a neutral spine and retracted shoulders, take a step forward
• Head deep into a lunge until your legs form a 90° angle
• While in the lunge position, pass the kettlebell from your right hand to your left from under your knee
• Once done, push yourself back up and repeat this with your other leg.

Ladies, if you want a bubble butt and runway-worthy legs, then add this exercise to your leg workout schedule!

6. Kettlebell Curtsy Lunges

For those struggling with saddlebags, this is the perfect exercise. While curtsy lunges might harder to nail, they work your legs all the way from your glutes to your calves with specific emphasis on your adductors (or outer thighs).

Step-by-step instructions:

• Grab the kettlebell with both hands and push it against your chest.
• Stand with your legs hip-width apart so you’re standing comfortable at the starting position.
• Take a step behind your non-working leg diagonally, hinge your hips while lowering yourself into a lunge.
• Once you’ve gone deep into a lunge, push yourself back up so you’re standing upright.
• Repeat this with your other leg to complete one rep.

Learn how to do curtsy lunges in depth.

7. Kettlebell Lunge and Press

A dynamic move, the kettlebell lunge and press is a full body workout that works your lower body and upper body at the same time. Not only does this exercise help you tone and grow your quads, hammies and glutes, it also works your delts and triceps.

Step-by-step instructions:

• Stand with your feet hip-width apart and straighten your arm so it aligns with your shoulder.
• Take a step forward until your knee forms a 90° angle.
• Make sure you avoid letting your knee pass your toe to prevent any kind of joint pains.
• Push yourself back up so you’re standing upright while bringing the kettlebell over your head in a press.
• Repeat this with the other leg to complete one rep.

If you’re not comfortable with kettlebells, go for bodyweight legs and booty workout at home.

5 Benefits of Doing Lunges with Kettlbell

Often undervalued, kettlebell is not just an added weight to your workout – it is a surefire way of improving your strength, balance and coordination.

Here are a few benefits of doing kettlebell lunges:

1. When done right, kettlebell lunges help you tone, define and even grow your glutes, hamstrings and quads.
2. This exercise targets your core muscles, helping you develop strength and stability.
3. Often incorporated in functional training, kettlebell lunges improve your balance, coordination and body control.
4. For those with poor mobility, this exercise is perfect as it works your hip flexibility, helping you hit a fuller range of motion.
5. While the lunge is a compound movement, kettlebell lunges are a unilateral exercise that correct any kinds of structural or muscular imbalances.

Conclusion

With these 7 kettlebell lunge variations, you can easily ramp up your leg days, making them tougher and more challenging so you get the best out of your workout. Not only do these variations promise gains, they also improve your balance, coordination, flexibility, mobility and functionality. What’s more is, this exercise helps you build core strength so you’re supported throughout the day.

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