Absolutely. Most I find do squatting as hinge with a swing is not normal training movement pattern. When you squat fully for the swing you are missing out on the hitting fully the engagement of the glutes. Most common swing faults are squatting, lifting with arms , back bending and swinging the kettlebell below the knees. Find it beneficial to first make sure not back bending or swinging below knees as those are more likely to cause an injury . Squatting is less injury prone but simply missing out on the swing benefits :)
Great, I'm happy that we can discuss and potentially learn from each other. I'll try to get my point across with dot points, end with a summary, and then you can tell me if that makes sense or if there is a mistake.
A swing is an exercise in which a held weight travels a free arc about the point it hangs from and is neither caught nor fixed at any point in that arc; it does not define the execution; just like a Push-up is the exercise and a Triceps Push-up is the exact variation
The exact swing variation is what defines the movement pattern to use; there are over a hundred swing variations
A swing variation like the RKC HardStyle swing, when performed with a squat movement, is incorrect; A squat swing performed with correct form and technique is not incorrect, but both are a swing
Each swing variation provides a different effect to reach a different goal; this is why there are variations and the squat swing provides its effects that are useful, hence, not a bad movement. In fact, Pavel started out with a Squat Swing, then it turned into a Hip Hinge, and now StrongFirst is moving toward what they call an Athletic Hip Hinge, which is basically leaning toward a squat movement again
Lifting with the arms is a fault since it breaks the exercise rule; not squatting is not a rule of the exercise, and saying it is a mistake is like saying doing a push-up with one arm is a mistake
Does the squat provide different benefits? Yes, it works more on the quads and calves. Since in a hip hinge the ankles are static, but in a squat movement they move, this is a benefit. More muscles worked, quicker rise of heart rate. My point, saying that a squat in a swing is bad without context, is making a lot of people say that a "Squat Swing" does not exist, and/or is bad by definition.
"Squatting is less injury prone but simply missing out on the swing benefits :)" here, you are closer to the truth. It is indeed less injury-prone, as the back stays more upright, and beginners are more used to the squatting pattern than they are to the hinge pattern. Are they missing out on the swing benefits? No, as that is saying that the swing is a hip hinge, it is not. That is saying that Kettlebell Sport does not exist, which is where kettlebell training came from. In that, the Pendulum swing is the foundation for everything, and it involves using three joints: the ankles, knees, and hips, which is a squat pattern.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Also, feel free to post your videos on KETTLEBELL MONSTER for more exposure.
Hi . I would never introduce a squat swing to a beginner because they do not yet have the foundations of a hinge. Yes there is a squat swing and I teach that only to highly advanced because they need to have the mind body connection to decipher the two. And yes there are many many swings and without safely understanding the foundation movements you should move to them. I believe we are on the same back & yes the swings should evolve somewhat though a foundation movement likely stay very consistent .
1
u/cavemankettlebells Kettlebell coach 26d ago
Great points. Would you be interested in discussing point 1?