Turkish Get Up

Turkish Get Up


The Turkish Get Up is one of the most popular kettlebell movements and we are asked all the time for specific content just about the TGU. So we wanted to make sure and create that for you! Our friend Mike Salemi along with Mind Pump Media have created an incredibly detailed video about the technicalities of the Turkish Get Up.

What Does the Turkish Get Up Work?

Everything. The Turkish Get Up requires a strong core relative to the weight you are training with to stabilize you throughout the entire movement. Most athletics require a strong core, so the TGU is a great movement to strengthen your core no matter what level of athlete you are. Whether you are professional level or just getting back into shape, a strong core will help achieve your goals. The TGU might also be the best shoulder muscle building movement because of the stabilization required throughout the movement. The demonstration below will show that throughout the movement the weight is stabilized with the shoulder. A whole different set of muscles, the hips and glutes, are used to raise the body from the floor.

The Turkish Get Up varies from many workout movements because you move through it so much slower than other movements like swings or ballistic movements which creates a whole new sense of control and self awareness about your position.

Make sure to subscribe to the blog for updates by filling in your email under 'SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL UPDATES' depending if you are viewing this on mobile (it is at the very bottom) or desktop in the right hande column.

This demonstration of the Turkish Get Up is done with Steel Standard Kettlebells.


  1. Lay on your side with knees at 90 degrees and hips at 90 degrees (1:10) make sure watch about the roll over and hand insertion!
  2. Press the bell upward
  3. With the kettlebell stable above you and the elbow locked, the leg on the same side as your bell needs to have the knee bent (4:15)
  4. Drive away from the ground diagonally, not straight up (6:40), keep your eyes on the kettlebell
  5. Drive up into fixation position (8:50), watch the demonstration of lowering back to the floor!

Thanks for reading! Make sure to enter any questions in the comments section below!


Make sure to subscribe to the blog for updates by filling in your email under 'SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL UPDATES' depending if you are viewing this on mobile (it is at the very bottom) or desktop in the right hande column. 

WHAT IS NEXT?

If this is your first time reading one of our posts, we create kettlebell workouts in collaboration with kettlebell lifting champions and experts which are designed to give you maximal results and not take up much of your time. We send these to your in box automatically every week! We recommend you read more about receiving a quick, free, dynamic kettlebell workout every week you can click below.

Thanks for reading!


Kettlebell Kings has the most highly & frequently reviewed kettlebells in the world. We have free shipping in the US & Canada (www.kettlebellkings.com), Europe (www.kettlebellkings.eu) and Australia (www.kettlebellkings.com.au). Check out our 4,000 reviews for quality and customer service here!