7 Best Kettlebell Exercises for Seniors and Older Adults

As you age exercise and movement becomes even more important so here are 7 kettlebell exercises for seniors and older adults.

I’ve personally trained people over 50, 60 and 70 years of age who’s movement and strength is better than those of half their age.

So when reviewing the 7 kettlebell exercise for seniors please realise that not everyone always fits into the same bracket.

If you are in a position where you feel that kettlebell training could be right for you then this guide will act as a great starting point for seniors and older adults.

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How do kettlebell exercises help seniors

Kettlebell exercises when performed correctly can be an effective way for seniors to exercise at home.

Kettlebell training requires minimal equipment, just a few kettlebells, and very little space.

However, the results that can be achieved from just using kettlebells a few times per week can be significant.

Seniors exercise benefits of using kettlebells:

• Increases bone density due to the additional forces put through the joints and bones by the kettlebells
• Adds muscle mass, something that you lose quickly as you reach older age
• Improves balance, great for preventing falls and better footing
• Increases grip strength, another attribute that disappears quickly as you get older
• Improves mobility, nothing symbolises old age like an inability to move naturally
• Rehabilitates joint issues, the frequent nutritional pumping movements of kettlebell training improves joint health
• Improves circulation,  kettlebell training actively pumps the blood around the body for better circulation
• Increases cardiovascular health, your heart rate will be elevated and lungs forced to work harder
• Raises metabolic rate for fat loss, an increase in metabolism means more calories burnt at rest
• Increases confidence, feel stronger, mobile, fitter and have better balance for a more confident you
• Improves mental health and produces a more positive attitude towards life in general

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Are kettlebells safe for seniors

As mentioned earlier age is not always the best indicator of good health and fitness.

Some seniors are strong, flexible, and have great cardio.

As with all exercise you should check with your doctor first and take it steady.

If you have high or low blood pressure or heart issues then you need to be careful with overhead movements that challenge the heart.

Be careful with certain kettlebell exercises that challenge your balance. Try to exercise near something that you can hold onto and have the room to get out of the way if necessary.

Be aware of any medication that you may be taking. Could you feel dizzy or drowsy all of a sudden?

Ultimately, we should all be fit and healthy and be able to move pain free. Using regular exercise is the solution to a happier and healthier life.

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Kettlebell weights for seniors

Your focus as a senior should not be to break any lifting records or to push yourself to complete exhaustion.

You should also realise that you are stronger than you think and without adding load to an already strong body will not give you the stimulus that your body needs to improve.

So you need to take a look at your previous experience of lifting weights.

Do you or have you had a physical job that has left you stronger than most or do you have zero experience of weight lifting.

I always recommend that the average man start with a 12kg (26lbs) and woman an 8kg (17lbs).

You can reduce this weight for some exercises and increase it for others.

Learn more: Complete guide to buying the correct kettlebells

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Start with a full body mobility warm up

One of the most important aspects of your health that you should work on as you age is your joint mobility.

As you get older and move less you ability to take your joints through their full range diminishes.

A lack of joint mobility will not only affect your posture but also your ability to move correctly.

So stay young and learn to mobilise your joints as often as possible.

I recommend that you run through a full joint mobility routine before each workout.

For many people this mobility routine can have more of an impact on their lives than the workout so please don’t skip this section.

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Neck mobility warm up for seniors

The neck or cervical spine is inherently connected to the shoulders.

If you suffer from headaches, neck issues or even shoulder problems then it’s important to free up and mobilise the neck.

The great thing about neck mobility is that you can practice anytime of the day even while seated watching TV.

Watch a video of the neck mobility warm up exercises below:

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Shoulder mobility warm up for seniors

The shoulder joints are connected with the upper back as well as the neck.

Too much desk work and sitting can cause a rounding of the shoulders and limited mobility in the shoulder joints.

Shoulder joint mobility is important to pump nutrients into the joints that will help heal any shoulder issues that you may be suffering from.

Watch a video of the shoulder mobility warm up exercises below:

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Upper back mobility warm up for seniors

The upper back or thoracic spine is one of the areas that is getting more and more restricted with modern lifestyles.

A lack of joint mobility in the thoracic spine will cause an overuse of the shoulder joints as well as the lower back.

If you only have time to mobilise one area of your body then this is the place to focus your attention.

Watch a video of the upper back mobility warm up exercises below:

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Wrist mobility warm up for seniors

Using kettlebells will require the wrist to work hard to maintain balance of the kettlebell.

Regular wrist mobility will help keep the joints healthy and improve circulation.

Watch a video of the wrist mobility warm up exercises below:

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Hip mobility warm up for seniors

If you don’t walk over varied ground or take part in sports then your hip mobility will probably be limited.

Poor hip mobility will affect your walking gait as well as force your lower back to move more than it should do.

An inability to move the hips correctly will also create additional compensations in the knees leading to potential knee issues.

Watch a video of the hip mobility warm up exercises below:

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Knee mobility warm up for seniors

Being able to fully bend the knee joint is important for daily life.

Simple bodyweight squats are one of the best exercises you can perform and will strengthen your full body.

Watch a video of the knee mobility warm up exercises below:

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Ankle mobility warm up for seniors

Good ankle mobility will improve your balance as well as prevent further leg injury while walking or tripping on uneven ground.

Often one of the most overlooked areas of the body a simple ankle mobility routine will also improve circulation.

Watch a video of the ankle mobility warm up exercises below:

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7 kettlebell exercises for seniors and older adults

Below I have listed 7 kettlebell exercises for seniors which I believe build a solid and effective foundation for seniors.

Above all else take your time and listen to your body.

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1. Kettlebell Slingshot

The kettlebell slingshot will help improve your grip strength, mobilise your shoulder joints and strengthen your core muscles.

The slingshot is one kettlebell exercise that I recommend everyone practice.

Try to stay as upright as possible throughout the exercise and keep the hips nice and still.

Practice: work up to 20 repetitions in each direction

Watch a video of the kettlebell slingshot exercise below:

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2. Kettlebell Halo

The kettlebell halo is a good exercise for seniors with limited mobility as it helps to open up the shoulders and upper back.

The halo can be a difficult exercise if the weight is too heavy so practice with a lighter kettlebell, weight plate, or medicine ball.

Try to keep the kettlebell close to the neck line and don’t bend the head forwards.

Practice: progress slowly to 10 repetitions in both directions

Watch a video of the kettlebell halo exercise below:

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3. Kettlebell Single Arm Deadlift

Whenever you pick something heavy up off the floor then you should be using the kettlebell single arm deadlift.

You will get big full body muscle activation from this exercise as well as training your body to move more effectively.

The single arm kettlebell deadlift is a good exercise for seniors with bad knees as you don’t get a full knee bend with the movement.

Work hard to keep your back flat and use your buttocks and legs to perform the heavy lifting.

Practice: work up to 12 repetitions on both sides.

Watch a video of the kettlebell single arm deadlift exercise below:

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4. Kettlebell Single Leg Deadlift

The single leg deadlift is a challenging exercise but excellent for improving your overall balance and stability on one leg.

This is another good exercise for seniors with bad knees as the front knee doesn’t bend very much at all.

You will also find this is a great exercise for seniors with limited mobility as it lengthens the hamstrings and mobilises the hips.

I recommend practicing the exercise without a kettlebell first in order to master the movement.

Practice: when you can perform 6 good reps on each side without a kettlebell then you can start adding the kettlebell

Related: Master the kettlebell single leg deadlift

Watch a video of the bodyweight single leg deadlift exercise below:

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5. Kettlebell Step Ups

The kettlebell step up is a great exercise for seniors to strengthen the legs.

Not only is the kettlebell step up highly effective at raising the heart rate and strengthening the legs and buttocks but also has a great cross over into your daily life.

You will find walking up hills and stairs much easier if you work on this exercise.

The height of the step is very important, try to work on increasing the height so that the front thigh is parallel with the floor.

Try not to push off the back leg in order to step up, rather use the front leg to pull you up and onto the step.

The above image is shown with dumbbells but can be performed with ketlebells in each hand or in the goblet position as shown below in the next exercise.

Practice: start by alternating legs and work up to 20 repetitions. Next, work on just one side progressing to 12 each leg.

Watch a video of the kettlebell or dumbbell step up exercise below:

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6. Kettlebell Goblet Squats

The kettlebell goblet squat is a very effective and important exercise.

There are not many muscles that the goblet squat doesn’t activate when performed correctly.

You will also quickly raise your heart rate, pump vital nutrients around your body and improve your movement strength and skills for daily life.

Beginners should practice the exercise without a kettlebell first before progressing to the kettlebell goblet squat variation.

Keep your chest up and heels down throughout the full movement. Failure to get a full 90 degree bend in the knees will limit the amount of buttock activation achieved.

Learn more: 7 kettlebell squats you need to know

Watch a video on how to improve your kettlebell goblet squat exercise below:

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7. Kettlebell Turkish Get Ups

The kettlebell turkish get up is the most technical kettlebell exercise for seniors.

The ability to get up and down from the floor is an important activity as we get older and very challenging for many people.

The get up will mobilise all of your joints while improving your balance and stability in one exercise.

This is another important exercise for seniors with limited mobility.

Everyone should practice the get up without a kettlebell first, if need be you can hold a tennis ball or glass of water in the hand.

Practice: when you can perform 10 alternating repetitions without a kettlebell then slowly start to add some load.

Related: Ultimate guide to the kettlebell turkish get up

Watch a video of the kettlebell turkish get up exercise below:

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How to use these kettlebell exercises for older adults

Now I have outlined what I believe to be the 7 best kettlebell exercise for seniors let’s look at how they can be combined into a workout.

Let me start by saying that you do not need to do all 7 kettlebell exercises for seniors.

However, you should be careful not to just perform the kettlebell exercises you enjoy and are good at.

Often it’s the exercises that we don’t do that are the ones we should do

You can perform the above kettlebell workout 3 – 4 times per week.

Start off steady and use a light kettlebell for the first 2 weeks before slowly increasing the load.

You should feel out of breath at the end of each circuit if not add more load or pick up the pace.

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Conclusion to 7 kettlebell exercises for seniors and older adults

Using kettlebell exercises for seniors and older adults can be highly effective at improving health, fitness and wellbeing.

Regular kettlebell training can improve balance, strength, your metabolism, help with fat loss and confidence.

Older adults can move and be just as strong, if not stronger, than those half their age so there are no hard and fast rules for what weight to start with.

Always start your workout with a full mobility warm up to improve joint function and pump nutrients into the joints.

I’ve included a kettlebell circuit that you can follow 3-4 times per week just add load steadily as you get stronger.

Learn to master the exercises first before adding any load.

Always seek professional medical advice and take your time and listen to your body as you exercise.

Best of luck and enjoy your kettlebell training.

To see more posts about general kettlebells workouts and advice, go here.

Have you tried any of these kettlebell exercises for seniors? Let me know more below…