Kettlebell Torn calluses from doing swings. Grip question

[Vapidtm]

When doing kettlebell swings should my grip be more of a loose, relaxed hook grip similar to this image? Google Image Result for https://www.cavemantraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/hook-grip-300x169.jpg
Or should I be squeezing the bell hard like I would on front squats?

 

[Adam R Mundorf]

When doing kettlebell swings should my grip be more of a loose, relaxed hook grip similar to this image? Google Image Result for https://www.cavemantraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/hook-grip-300x169.jpg
Or should I be squeezing the bell hard like I would on front squats?

Your swing grip shouldn't be thumbless but your grip should be fairly relaxed.

 

[Steve Freides]

@Vapidtm, when I'm swinging a kettlebell, I'm trying to grip hard enough that it doesn't move around a lot in my hand, but no harder than that. I don't know that I could ascribe words like loose or hard to it as it's somewhere in between, and it will definitely depend on the weight of the kettlebell as compared to your grip strength, e.g., I might do one-hand swings with a 16 kg with a looser grip than I would use if swinging twice that much weight.

-S-

 

[offwidth]

Your swing grip shouldn't be thumbless but your grip should be fairly relaxed.

Yes… the term ‘relaxed’ fits here…

 

[Steve Freides]

Yes… the term ‘relaxed’ fits here…

My grip at the top of a heavy swing is often relaxed, but at the back, I'm often hanging on pretty tightly, I must admit.

-S-

 

[watchnerd]

I don't really grip KBs during swings, so much as create a hand cradle.

It's similar, conceptually, to what I do with other ballistics with barbells, clubs, maces.

Like swinging a baseball bat or tennis racket -- too much grip tension ruins the transmission of power from the hips.

 

[Ryan T]

Only grip as hard as you need to so the bell doesn't fly out of your hand and the grip tension may vary depending on where you are at in the swing, but you'll still need to be mindful of keeping your shoulder and lat engaged. And it's a hook, at least for swings.

 

[offwidth]

I don't really grip KBs during swings, so much as create a hand cradle.

Exactly… same here.