Core · Kettlebell
Kettlebell Lying Woodchop
How to do the kettlebell lying woodchop, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Kettlebell
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Rotation
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Lie on your back holding a kettlebell with both hands, arms extended over one shoulder. Brace your core and pull the kettlebell diagonally across your body toward the opposite hip, rotating your torso as you go. Reverse under control back to the start, finish your reps, then switch to the other side.
- 1Feel your obliques and core drive the kettlebell across your body on the
- 2diagonal
- 3Rotate through your trunk so the movement starts from your torso, not your arms
- 4Keep your arms long but soft so the work stays in your core
Common mistakes
- Avoid pulling with just your arms or shoulders
- Don't let your lower back arch off the floor; stay braced
- Avoid rushing the rotation; control both directions
Muscles worked
The kettlebell lying woodchop mainly works the obliques, upper abs, and lower abs, with the forearms and lats assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Upper AbsPrimary
- Lower AbsPrimary
- ForearmsSupport
- LatsSupport
- Upper TrapsMinor
- GlutesMinor
- Front DeltsMinor
- Side DeltsMinor
- Hip FlexorsMinor
Kovo programs the kettlebell lying woodchop for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More abs & core exercises
- How to do the ab wheel rollout
- How to do the ankle tap plank
- How to do the ankle taps
- How to do the resistance band dead bugs
- How to do the resistance band pallof press
- How to do the rollout
Last reviewed June 2026.