{"id":675144,"date":"2026-11-04T23:20:15","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T23:20:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/675144\/"},"modified":"2026-11-04T23:20:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T23:20:15","slug":"bob-mortimer-67-hated-exercise-now-he-builds-strength-at-home-with-kettlebells-try-these-5-moves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/675144\/","title":{"rendered":"Bob Mortimer, 67, Hated Exercise \u2013 Now He Builds Strength at Home with Kettlebells: Try These 5 Moves"},"content":{"rendered":"

National treasure Bob Mortimer once described exercise as his \u2018nemesis\u2019, but the Gone Fishing star appears to have had a change of heart. The 67-year-old comedian has revealed that he\u2019s been working on his fitness at home, using kettlebells<\/a> and weights<\/a> while watching the telly.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an unexpected turn for a man who wrote that he \u2018hates exercise\u2019 in his 2021 autobiography And Away… \u2013 and that he would rather clean a jumbo jet with a mouse\u2019s eyepatch than work out. But after a series of health challenges, including triple heart bypass surgery in 2015, Mortimer has found a way of making exercise work for him \u2013 without even having to leave the living room.<\/p>\n

Speaking to The Independent<\/a>, Mortimer shared, ‘I’ve got my kettlebells and weights at home, and I sit watching the telly doing exercises. I’ve really been working on it.’ <\/p>\n

While he hasn’t shared the specifics of his home workouts<\/a>, kettlebells can be an effective way to build strength without needing a gym membership or an extensive collection of equipment.<\/p>\n

If you’re looking to follow his lead, here are five simple kettlebell exercises<\/a> you can try at home.<\/p>\n

5 Kettlebell Exercises to Build Strength at Home\"kb<\/p>\n

Try 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps<\/p>\n

Why it works: The goblet squat is a great option for beginners because holding the weight in front of your chest encourages a more upright torso as you lower into the squat. It works your quads and glutes while your core helps keep you stable throughout the movement. <\/p>\n

How to do it:<\/p>\n

Hold a kettlebell at your collarbone with both hands, keeping your elbows tucked in.With your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, bend your knees and lower your hips into a squat.Keep your chest lifted and your feet planted before pushing through your heels to stand.\"single<\/p>\n

Try 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps<\/p>\n

Why it works: The kettlebell deadlift is a great exercise for targeting the posterior chain and learning the hip-hinge movement pattern. It’s an accessible introduction to deadlifting for beginners, predominantly working the glutes and hamstrings while also engaging the quads. <\/p>\n

How to do it:<\/p>\n

Place a kettlebell between your feet, standing with your feet approximately hip-width apart.With a flat back, push your hips backwards and bend your knees slightly to grip the handle with both hands.Brace your core and drive through your feet to stand tall.Lower the weight by pushing your hips back again.3. Single-Arm Kettlebell Row\"kettlebell<\/p>\n

Try 2-3 sets of 6-10 reps either side<\/p>\n

Why it works: The single-arm kettlebell row targets the lats and rhomboids, as well as the smaller muscles that help stabilise your shoulders. Your core and glutes also work to keep your body stable throughout the movement. Focus on pulling the kettlebell towards your hip in a slight arc to engage your back muscles. <\/p>\n

How to do it:<\/p>\n

Stand with your feet staggered and hinge forwards at the hips, supporting your free hand on a sturdy surface or on your knee.Hold the kettlebell in your other hand with your arm extended towards the floor.Pull your elbow towards your hip, keeping your torso stable, before lowering the weight under control.4. Kettlebell Floor Press\"man<\/p>\n

Try 2-3 sets of 6-10 reps either side<\/p>\n

Why it works: The kettlebell floor press targets your chest, shoulders and triceps, while the floor limits your range of motion, preventing your elbows from travelling too far behind your body. Working unilaterally, or one arm at a time, can also help identify and address strength disparities between sides.<\/p>\n

How to do it:<\/p>\n

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.Hold a kettlebell in one hand, with your elbow resting lightly on the floor.Press the weight upwards until your arm is extended, then slowly lower until your upper arm returns to the floor.5. Kettlebell Suitcase Carry\"suitcase<\/p>\n

Try 2-3 sets of 30 metres<\/p>\n

Why it works: The kettlebell suitcase carry is a great full-body exercise that can also provide cardiovascular benefits when performed for long enough. Choose a challenging weight, ideally heavier than your usual weekly shop, and your core will have to work hard to resist lateral flexion and prevent your torso from leaning to one side as you walk. <\/p>\n

How to do it:<\/p>\n

Stand tall with a kettlebell in one hand, keeping your shoulders level and your core engaged.Walk forwards in a deliberate march without leaning towards the weighted side.Switch hands and repeat.The Bottom Line<\/p>\n

You don’t need an expensive home gym to start building strength. A single kettlebell can be enough to challenge multiple muscle groups, and short sessions can help you develop strength over time.<\/p>\n

As Mortimer’s new approach demonstrates, finding opportunities to move throughout the day can be a practical way to make exercise part of your routine, even if that means fitting in a few sets in front of the television.
<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one thing Kori Sampson knows, it\u2019s how to optimise your body composition for performance. To tap into his knowledge as an elite athlete and coach, we asked him to create a 4-week plan to help you move faster, recover quicker and keep pushing when the fatigue sets in \u2013 all while improving your muscle-to-fat ratio.<\/p>\n

Ready to build muscle, burn fat and come out the other side looking, feeling and performing better? Click here<\/a> to get 14 days of free access to the plan via the Men\u2019s Health app.<\/p>\n

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