Half-Kneeling Kettlebell Windmill: 2 Variations You NEED to Know

The kettlebell windmill is an advanced kettlebell movement—and one of the most misunderstood. A quick search will show plenty of examples of how not to do it. In this video, I break down two half-kneeling kettlebell windmill variations so you can learn it the right way from the start.

The half-kneeling windmill is the best place to begin. It teaches the hip hinge + thoracic rotation combo you need for a strong windmill, while building shoulder stability and core control—without side-bending or forcing a range you don’t own yet. I’ll also show you the big mistakes I see most often, like shrugging the bell-side shoulder or losing your rib-to-hip position.

This video is Part 1 of a two-part windmill series and lays the groundwork for the standing windmill. Go slow, keep it clean, and treat it like skill practice—not a stretch.

If you want a clear plan for building these fundamentals, Kettlebell 101 walks you through the hip hinge, get-up, and shoulder stability work that makes advanced skills like the windmill feel strong and smooth.