10 Best Spell Caster Alternatives for Limited-Equipment Training

Ranked Spell Caster Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Spell Caster 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

   

   1. Kettlebell Pass Between The Legs

   89% match

   • Abs
   • Kettlebell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A good swap when you have a kettlebell to work with, and it still works the abs.

   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 the Spell Caster
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Spell Caster
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Spell Caster
2. 

   2. Landmine 180's

   89% match

   • Abs
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the abs.

   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 the Spell Caster
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Spell Caster
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Spell Caster
3. Play demonstration

   3. Kettlebell Figure 8

   88% 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 the Spell Caster
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Spell Caster
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Spell Caster
4. Play demonstration

   4. Landmine 180

   82% 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 the Spell Caster
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Spell Caster
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Spell Caster
5. 

   5. Double Kettlebell Windmill

   81% match

   • Abs
   • Kettlebell
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Place a kettlebell in front of your front foot and clean and press a kettlebell overhead with your opposite arm. Clean the kettlebell to your shoulder by extending through the legs and hips as you pull the kettlebell towards your shoulders. Rotate your wrist as you do so, so that the palm faces forward.
   2. Keeping the kettlebell locked out at all times, push your butt out in the direction of the locked out kettlebell. Turn your feet out at a forty-five degree angle from the arm with the locked out kettlebell.
   3. Bending at the hip to one side, sticking your butt out, slowly lean until you can retrieve the kettlebell from the floor. Keep your eyes on the kettlebell that you hold over your head at all times.
   4. Pause for a second after retrieving the kettlebell from the ground and reverse the motion back to the starting position.

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

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Spell Caster
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Spell Caster
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Spell Caster
6. Play demonstration

   6. Kettlebell Bent Press

   81% 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 the Spell Caster
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Spell Caster
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Spell Caster
7. Play demonstration

   7. Kettlebell Windmill

   81% 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 the Spell Caster
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Spell Caster
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Spell Caster
8. 

   8. Advanced Kettlebell Windmill

   79% match

   • Abs
   • Kettlebell
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Clean and press a kettlebell overhead with one arm.
   2. Keeping the kettlebell locked out at all times, push your butt out in the direction of the locked out kettlebell. Keep the non-working arm behind your back and turn your feet out at a forty-five degree angle from the arm with the kettlebell.
   3. Lower yourself as far as possible.
   4. Pause for a second and reverse the motion back to the starting position.

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

   Why this matches

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

   9. Cable Twist (Up-down)

   79% match

   • Abs
   • Cable
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, facing the cable machine.
   2. Hold the cable handle with both hands in front of your chest, keeping your arms slightly bent.
   3. Engage your core and slowly rotate your torso to one side, keeping your hips and legs stable.
   4. Pause for a moment at the end of the rotation, then slowly return to the starting position.
   5. Repeat the rotation to the opposite side.
   6. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Spell Caster
   • Equipment: a cable, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Spell Caster
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Spell Caster
10. 

    10. Barbell Ab Rollout

    77% 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 the Spell Caster
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Spell Caster