10 Best Sledgehammer Swings Alternatives for No Sledgehammer

Ranked Sledgehammer Swings Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches Sledgehammer Swings on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Sledge Hammer

   95% match

   • Abs
   • Other
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the sledge hammer with both hands.
   2. Engage your core and keep your back straight.
   3. Swing the sledge hammer down towards the ground, using your core and upper body strength.
   4. As you swing down, pivot your hips and transfer the force to the hammer.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Body position: standing, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
2. Play demonstration

   2. Spell Caster

   95% match

   • Abs
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A straight swap when you want to keep working the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in one hand.
   2. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the waist, keeping your back straight.
   3. Extend your arm with the dumbbell towards the opposite foot, rotating your torso as you do so.
   4. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
   5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Body position: standing, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
3. 

   3. Landmine 180's

   85% match

   • Abs
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Position a bar into a landmine or securely anchor it in a corner. Load the bar to an appropriate weight.
   2. Raise the bar from the floor, taking it to shoulder height with both hands with your arms extended in front of you. Adopt a wide stance. This will be your starting position.
   3. Perform the movement by rotating the trunk and hips as you swing the weight all the way down to one side. Keep your arms extended throughout the exercise.
   4. Reverse the motion to swing the weight all the way to the opposite side.
   5. Continue alternating the movement until the set is complete.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Body position: standing, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
4. Play demonstration

   4. Kettlebell Figure 8

   85% match

   • Abs
   • Kettlebell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in one hand.
   2. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
   3. Pass the kettlebell between your legs, switching hands as it reaches the back of your legs.
   4. As the kettlebell comes forward, pass it to the other hand between your legs.
   5. Continue passing the kettlebell between your legs in a figure 8 motion.
   6. Maintain a steady pace and engage your core throughout the exercise.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Body position: standing, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
5. 

   5. Kettlebell Pass Between The Legs

   85% match

   • Abs
   • Kettlebell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   It still works the abs, through a different movement.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Place one kettlebell between your legs and take a comfortable stance. Bend over by pushing your butt out and keeping your back flat.
   2. Pick up a kettlebell and pass it to your other hand between your legs, in the fashion of a "W". Go back and forth for several repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Body position: standing, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
6. 

   6. Barbell Ab Rollout

   82% match

   • Abs
   • Barbell
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. For this exercise you will need to get into a pushup position, but instead of having your hands of the floor, you will be grabbing on to an Olympic barbell (loaded with 5-10 lbs on each side) instead. This will be your starting position.
   2. While keeping a slight arch on your back, lift your hips and roll the barbell towards your feet as you exhale. Tip: As you perform the movement, your glutes should be coming up, you should be keeping the abs tight and should maintain your back posture at all times. Also your arms should be staying perpendicular to the floor throughout the movement. If you don't, you will work out your shoulders and back more than the abs.
   3. After a second contraction at the top, start to roll the barbell back forward to the starting position slowly as you inhale.
   4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
7. Play demonstration

   7. Kettlebell Double Windmill

   80% match

   • Abs
   • Kettlebell
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in your right hand.
   2. Extend your right arm overhead, keeping your eyes on the kettlebell.
   3. Rotate your left foot 45 degrees to the left and your right foot 90 degrees to the right.
   4. Bend at the waist to the left, keeping your right arm extended overhead.
   5. Lower the kettlebell towards the ground, reaching towards your left foot.
   6. Pause for a moment, then engage your core and push through your right foot to return to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Body position: standing, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Sledgehammer Swings
8. Play demonstration

   8. Landmine 180

   78% match

   • Abs
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the barbell with both hands in front of your chest.
   2. Bend your knees slightly and rotate your torso to the right, swinging the barbell down towards your right hip.
   3. As you reach the bottom of the movement, quickly reverse the motion and rotate your torso to the left, swinging the barbell up and across your body towards your left shoulder.
   4. Continue this twisting motion, alternating sides, for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Body position: standing, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
9. Play demonstration

   9. Kettlebell Bent Press

   77% match

   • Abs
   • Kettlebell
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in your right hand.
   2. Bend your knees slightly and press the kettlebell overhead with your right arm, keeping your elbow locked.
   3. Rotate your torso to the left, shifting your weight onto your left foot.
   4. Bend your left knee and lower your torso towards the ground, keeping your right arm extended overhead.
   5. As you lower, keep your eyes on the kettlebell and your chest lifted.
   6. Once your left hand touches the ground, push through your left foot and straighten your left leg, driving your hips forward.
   7. As you drive your hips forward, use your core and right arm to press the kettlebell back up to the starting position.
   8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
   • Body position: standing, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
10. Play demonstration

    10. Kettlebell Windmill

    77% match

    • Abs
    • Kettlebell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in your right hand overhead.
    2. Rotate your left foot outwards about 45 degrees and keep your right foot pointing forward.
    3. Bend your torso to the left side, keeping your right arm extended overhead and your eyes on the kettlebell.
    4. Lower your torso as far as you can while keeping your right arm straight and your left arm extended to the side.
    5. Pause for a moment, then return to the starting position by pushing through your right foot and engaging your obliques.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

    Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps on each side.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as Sledgehammer Swings
    • Body position: standing, the same as Sledgehammer Swings