Dumbbell Squat Swing Variations, How-to & Benefits

The dumbbell swing squat is a compound workout that works on several muscles simultaneously, such as the quads, hamstrings, shoulders, and core.

It is one of my favorite exercises. I love to do them now and then.

The dumbbell squat swing burns significant calories and develops endurance while strengthening and toning your muscles.

There are multiple dumbbell squat swing variations. And you can do all of them to burn fat and enhance your fitness level.

Here are the exercises:

1. Both arm Dumbbell Swing Squat
2. Dumbbell Swing and a Squat Thrust
3. Single-arm Dumbbell Squat and Swing
4. Lateral Squat Dumbbell Swing

1. Both-Arm Dumbbell Squat Swing

The dual-arm dumbbell swing squat is an explosive exercise that improves speed and stamina. You can include this exercise in your dumbbell HIIT to annihilate decent calories in a short time.

How to do it:

• Holding a pair of dumbbells in your hands with a neutral grip, stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Raise your arms straight in front of you as high as you like, and return to the start.
• Now, sit in a deep squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
• Pushing into the floor with your feet, return to the standing position. This is your one rep.
• Do as many reps as possible in 30 seconds, then rest for 30 to 60 seconds and repeat.

2. Dumbbell Swing and a Squat Thrust

The dumbbell swing and thrust are two different exercises but can be merged to achieve maximum results. These exercises target many muscles throughout the body and help you increase endurance, speed, and explosiveness.

Steps to do it:

Part -1 (Dumbbell Swing)

• Holding one dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip, stand upright in a shoulder-width stance.
• Keep your arms fully straight at your sides with your palms facing inward to your sides.
• Slightly bend your knees, push your hips backward and lean your torso forward while maintaining a flat back.
• Drop dumbbells down and back before swinging them upward.
• Keeping your arms straight, raise the weights up (in a swinging manner) as high as you can.
• As you swing the dumbbells, straighten your hips and stand upright when the dumbbells reach your head level.

Part 2 (Thrust)

• When you complete part 1, squat down and place the dumbbells on the floor outside your feet while keeping your arms straight.
• Now, kick your legs behind to land into a high plank position, gripping the dumbbells in your hands.
• Reverse the steps to return to the standing position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

3. Dumbbell Squat Single-arm Swing

When you find it hard to do both-arm dumbbell swinging squats, you can try using one arm at a time.

The one-arm swinging dumbbell squats generate maximum speed and help you work on each side equally.

You can also use this exercise to even out muscle imbalance by working more on your inferior side.

Steps to do a unilateral swing squat:

• Pick the head of one dumbbell with both hands and keep your arms straight in front of your thigh.
• Keeping your arms straight, raise the dumbbells upward until your arms reach your eye level and then lower it down to the start.
• And once you do the swinging part, perform a normal squat. That’s your one rep.
• You can do as many repetitions as you like.

4. Lateral Squat Dumbbell Swing

The lateral squat dumbbell swing targets your lower body muscles from a different angle and helps build sturdy legs.

How to perform:

• Holding a dumbbell in your left hand, stand straight with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
• Step out to the side with your left foot and sit back into a deep squat.
• Swing the dumbbell all the way from under your legs to up to your chest.
• And then, take the dumbbell in your right hand, and in the running motion, repeat the steps on the opposite to complete one rep.
• Do three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions each at your maximum heart rate.

Benefits of Dumbbell Squat Swings

1. Burn calories

The dumbbell squat swing is an explosive exercise that torches significant calories in less time.

2. Strengthen, Tone, and Build muscles

The different variations of dumbbell swing squats work on the entire body, especially the quads, hamstrings, core, and shoulders, and build strength and tone muscles.

3. Improve Endurance and Cardiovascular Health

DB swing squat has both aerobic and anaerobic components because it is done at moderate to high intensity. A study shows these kinds of exercises build endurance, promote cardiovascular health, and improve fitness.

The Takeaway Message

The four variations of the dumbbell squat swing strengthen the entire body and burn some serious calories.

After doing them all, you’ll feel more strong and more confident.

It also may increase weight loss and build noticeable muscle in the long run.

Moreover, it increases your endurance level and improves cardiovascular health.

The Dumbbell swing squat is only an example; you can check out the ultimate list of exercises to train your entire body.