Kettlebell Good Morning

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Intermediate
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A hip hinge exercise with a kettlebell that targets hamstrings and glutes to build posterior chain strength and hip mobility; serves as a foundational movement for deadlifts and swings.

About Exercise

Equipment

Kettlebell

Difficulty

3/5 • Intermediate

Primary Muscle Groups

Hamstrings, Glutes, Lower Back

Secondary Muscles

Abs, Obliques, Adductors

Popularity Score

6

Goals

Strength
Hypertrophy
Mobility

Training Style

Functional Training
Weightlifting

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Hamstrings

9/10

Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus

Glutes

8/10

Glute Max

Lower Back

8/10

Erector Spinae

Abs

5/10

Rectus Abdominis, Transverse Abdominis

Obliques

4/10

External Obliques

Adductors

3/10

Adductor Magnus

Programming

Typical Rep Range

8-12 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-120 seconds

How to Perform

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding the kettlebell by its horns behind your neck between shoulder blades, elbows close, core engaged, and knees slightly bent.

  1. Push hips back to initiate the hinge, keeping shins vertical.
  2. Lower torso forward while maintaining neutral spine until hamstrings stretch.
  3. Pause briefly at the bottom.
  4. Drive hips forward through glutes and hamstrings to return upright.
  5. Squeeze glutes at the top.
  6. Repeat for reps.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Hinge from hips
  • Keep back flat
  • Soft knees
  • Core tight
  • Glutes squeeze top

Breathing

Inhale as you hinge forward, brace core, and exhale as you return to standing.

Tempo

3-1-1

Range of Motion

Hinge until torso is near parallel to floor or hamstrings feel strong stretch, without rounding back; full upright at top.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid if acute lower back pain
  • Start light to master form
  • Warm up hips and hamstrings
  • Descend only to flexibility limit

Spotting

Not typically needed; use light weight or bodyweight for safety, focus on form over load.

Common Mistakes

  • Rounding lower back
  • Bending knees too much
  • Jerking the movement
  • Letting head drop

When to Avoid

  • Acute lower back injury
  • Hamstring strains
  • Poor spinal stability

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate hamstring flexibility
  • Hip hinge proficiency

Build Up First

  • Mastery of bodyweight hip hinge
  • Core bracing technique

Also known as

KB Good Morning, Kettlebell Hip Hinge

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