Many of us tend to overcomplicate exercise. Ultimately, you just need to spend enough time each week moving your body and challenging your muscles. But too often, we get caught up thinking we need the perfect setup, like getting to the gym five days a week and using every piece of fancy equipment available. Realistically, you can get an effective workout in with the simplest pieces of equipment, like a pair of kettlebells. The unique shape of kettlebells allows you to train force and power production while building strength, stability, and endurance, challenging multiple muscle groups at the same time.
“I personally love using kettlebells because they’re one of the most versatile tools in the gym,” says Cole Francum, NASM-CPT, Nike Trainer and Coach at Session Training in Brooklyn, New York. “The shape of the bell, horns, and bar all contribute to its effectiveness at building all-around strength, power, and stability throughout the body. Typically used in functional fitness programs, kettlebells are compact, relatively inexpensive, and almost indestructible.”
The next time you need a time-efficient, minimal equipment workout, give the kettlebell-only workout below, programmed by Francum, a try. It features just six exercises, combining supersets and EMOMs to keep you moving without spending hours at the gym.
Full-Body Kettlebell Superset Workout
Perform the first exercise (A) for the prescribed rep count, then immediately move into the second exercise (B) without resting. Once you’ve completed both exercises, rest as needed before repeating the superset.
1A. How to Do Kettlebell Deadlifts
Kettlebell DeadliftGetty Images/FreshSplash
Stand with feet hip-width apart and the kettlebell between your feet.
Hinge at your hips and bend your knees to grab the handle. Drive through your feet and extend your hips to stand tall.
Hinge at the hips to lower the kettlebell back to the floor with control.
Perform 3 to 5 sets of 5 reps.
1B. How to Do Kettlebell Pushups
Kettlebell PushupGetty Images/South_agency
Place two kettlebells on the floor just over than shoulder-width apart and grip the handles from a high-plank position.
Lower your chest toward the floor while keeping your core tight and body straight.
Press through the handles to return to the starting position.
Perform 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 15 reps.
2A. How to Do Kettlebell Split Squats
Stand in a staggered stance and hold a kettlebell at your chest with both hands.
Bend both knees to lower your body toward the floor, keeping your torso upright.
Drive through your front foot to return to standing, then repeat on the other side.
Perform 3 to 5 sets of 5 reps on each leg.
2B. How to Do Single-Arm Kettlebell Rows
Single-Arm Kettlebell Row
Hinge forward with a flat back and hold a kettlebell in one hand, letting your arm hang toward the floor.
Pull the kettlebell back toward your hip, driving your elbow back and keeping your torso stable.
Lower the kettlebell with control and repeat before switching sides.
Perform 3 to 5 sets of 5 reps on each arm.
EMOM Finisher
Set a timer for 10 minutes. Perform the prescribed reps for each exercise at the start of each minute, then rest for the remainder of the minute. Complete 5 total rounds for each, alternating between the two exercises each minute.
3. How to Do Alternating Reverse Kettlebell Lunges
Kettlebell Reverse LungeGetty Images/dusanpetkovic
Stand tall holding kettlebells by your sides.
Step one foot back and bend both knees to lower into a lunge.
Drive through your front foot to stand, then alternate legs.
4. How to Do Kettlebell Situps
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat, holding a kettlebell at your chest.
Brace your core and sit up, keeping the kettlebell close to your body.
Slowly lower back to the floor and repeat.
Related: Forget Isolation Moves. These 4 Full-Body Exercises Hit Every Muscle in Half the Time
Experts
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Aug 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fitness section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.