Build muscle and get toned with this intermediate kettlebell full-body interval workout. Work-to-rest ratio is 2:1 — push hard, then recover. Keep the same weight throughout the entire workout, and make sure it\'s heavy enough to genuinely challenge you. You\'ve got this!
Kettlebell Interval Workout: Build & Tone is a free 16 min workout plan with 6 illustrated exercises for your abs, back, legs and shoulders. Follow the workout online, save it to your WorkoutLabs Fit account or download it as a printable PDF.
Tap any exercise in the workout to see the muscles worked, clear exercise illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Each workout includes sets, reps, rest times and notes so you can follow the plan without guessing.
You'll need kettlebells for this workout. Tap any exercise to see form instructions and possible substitutions if a piece of equipment isn't available.
How long does the Kettlebell Interval Workout: Build & Tone take?
The full workout takes about 16 minutes, covering 6 exercises with prescribed sets, reps and rest periods. Using the built-in timers and auto-advance keeps you on pace from start to finish.
Is this workout suitable for my fitness level?
This is an intermediate workout, best suited to people with some training experience. Beginners can still follow it by reducing the weight, doing fewer sets or resting longer between sets – each exercise includes illustrated form instructions.
What muscles does this workout target?
This routine primarily works your abs, glutes & hip flexors, shoulders, lower back, quadriceps, upper back & lower traps. Tap any exercise in the workout to see a muscle diagram showing exactly which primary and secondary muscles it activates.
How often should I do this workout?
For gain muscle, get toned, aim to do this workout 2–3 times per week with at least one rest day between sessions. Progress by gradually adding weight or reps, and pair it with workouts for other muscle groups during the week.
Can I download or save this workout?
Yes – you can download this workout as a free printable PDF using the download button, or save it to a free WorkoutLabs Fit account to follow it on your phone, customize the exercises and track your progress.
Build muscle and get toned with this intermediate kettlebell full-body interval workout. Work-to-rest ratio is 2:1 — push hard, then recover. Keep the same weight throughout the entire workout, and make sure it\'s heavy enough to genuinely challenge you. You\'ve got this!
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Hold the kettlebell with both hands in an overhand grip in front of your pelvis.
Keeping your core strong, rotate the kettlebell around your body changing hands in the front and in the back.
Be sure to focus on your posture throughout the entire movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Forearms, Neck & Upper Traps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Place a pair of dumbbells or kettlebells at your feet. Brace your core and keep your chest up as you kneel down. Pick the dumbbells up, maintaining your form and keeping your gaze straight ahead.
Standing up, walk forward in a straight line, holding the dumbbells at your sides.
The trick is to use very heavy dumbbells. Walk as far as you can then set the weights down. Take a short break and repeat going back the other way.
Lift the kettlebell to your shoulder by extending through your legs and hips as you pull the kettlebell towards your shoulder, rotating your wrist as you do so. Your palm should face forward with the kettlebell hanging at the back of your hand. This is the start position.
Lower your body by bending your knees while keeping your torso straight and upright.
Do not perform a full squat, instead travel down about midway into a squat position.
Without pausing, reverse direction, driving down through your heels, to create momentum.
As you rise up, press the kettlebell straight up over your head by extending and locking your arms.
Land with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact.
Lower the weight to start position
Repeat.
Complete all repetitions for one side before switching.
Use your body's momentum to drive the weight up, assisting your arm.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Hamstrings, Lower Back
With dumbbells at your sides, stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and fee pointing slightly outward. Look straight ahead.
Squat down until your upper legs are parallel with the floor by bending your knees, keep your back straight.
With an explosive but controlled movement, push up through your heels and press the dumbbells above your head as you return to standing position.
Still standing, slowly lower the dumbbells down to your chest and then down to your sides by extending your arms.
Hold a kettlebell by the handle in one hand using a neutral grip.
Stand on the leg that is on the same side that you are holding the kettlebell.This is the start position.
Bending that knee slightly, bend at the hip, and extend your free leg behind you for balance.
Continue lowering the kettlebell until your torso is parallel to the ground.
Return to the upright position in a smooth movement.
Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Stand tall with a tight core while holding a pair of dumbbells. Keeping your chest up and your gaze straight ahead, shift all of your bodyweight to your left foot. Bend the right knee, allowing the right foot to lift off the ground.
Maintaining a flat back, tilt your upper body forward. Do not allow the dumbbells to pull you down. Control your descent. Simultaneously, allow the right foot to counterbalance the shift in weight.
Feel the contraction in your hamstrings and pause once your upper body is parallel with the ground. Slowly return to the starting position.
Hold a kettlebell with both hands in an over hand grip.
Stand straight, with your legs slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
Lean forward at your waist slightly and bend your knees as if getting ready to squat.
Keep your back arched and your head facing forward.
Let your arms hang loosely.
Swing the kettlebell back between your legs while exhaling.
In an explosive movement, force the kettle forward and back up in front of you, either to eye level or above head height by thrusting forward with your hips and rotating your shoulders.
Continue for the desired number of repetitions or time.
Stand tall with a braced core, holding a kettlebell. Position your hands on the outside of the handle (not the top).
Focusing the tension in your shoulders and traps, pull the kettlebell up and towards your face.
Pause once your elbows are above parallel with the ground. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Neck & Upper Traps
Stand with your back straight, holding a barbell with an overhand grip slightly less than shoulder width apart.
The bar should be level with the tops of your thighs.
Keep your arms extended with a slight bend at the elbows. This is the start position.
Exhale and using the sides of your shoulders lift the bar.
As you do so, raise your elbows up and out to the side.
Keep the bar close to your body as you raise it.
Continue lifting the bar until it is just below your chin. Pause for a count of one.
Return to the start position in a single smooth movement. Inhale as you do so.
Repeat.
This exercise can be performed using a straight bar attached to a low pulley or using dumbbells.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Forearms, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Holding a dumbbell in each hand,stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
The dumbbells should be resting on your thighs with your palms facing in.
Lift the dumbbells straight up in single smooth movement until they are just below your chin making sure to keep your shoulders back and your elbows out.
At the top of the movement, flex or squeeze your biceps and forearms. Hold for a count of one.
Return to the starting position slowly to keep tension on the muscles.
Repeat.
This exercise can be performed using a barbell,EZ bar or a cable station with a straight bar or EZ bar attachment.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Attach a straight bar to the low pulley on the cable station.
Stand facing the station with your feet shoulder width apart either side of the pulley.
Grip the bar with an overhand grip, with your hands shoulder width apart and arms fully extended.
Keep your shoulders back.
Raise the bar straight up in one smooth movement, until it is just below your chin.
Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps and forearms.
Place a kettlebell on the ground. Step over the kettlebell so that it is in the center beneath you. Move your feet to shoulder-width or just outside of shoulder-width. Tighten your core and keep your chest up.
Begin by kicking your hips back and slightly bending your knees. Extend your arms down to grab onto the kettlebell.
Holding on to the kettlebell, drive your hips forward to stand back up. Slowly, reverse the movement by kicking your hips back and slightly bending the knees. Do not let your lower back arch.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Place two dumbbells on the floor.
Stand facing the dumbbells with your feet shoulder width apart.
Bend knees and hips to lower your torso in a squatting movement,keep your back straight.
At the bottom of the squat grip the dumbbells with an overhand grip,keeping your arms fully extended.
Return to an upright position holding the dumbbells with your palms facing towards your body and extending your hips forward. Do not round your back.
Return the dumbbells to the floor in the same manner you picked them up.
Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
Secondary:
Lower Back
Holding the handles of the resistance band, step on to the middle. Place your feet at shoulder-width with toes pointing forward. Tighten your core and keep your chest up.
Bend your knees slightly and drive your hips back but NOT lower than your knees. Again, keep the chest up. This is the starting position.
Forcefully contract your glutes, driving them forward. Do not just lean back. Your glutes should be fully contracted. Pause then return to the starting position.
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 6
Total time
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