Megan Thee Stallion's Kettlebell Workout Challenges Your Entire Body

The globally recognized artist, Megan Thee Stallion, recently engaged in a vigorous kettlebell workout, shattering gender bias along her fitness journey. Recalling the notorious dichotomy of typical push-ups and the so-called "girl version" from our early gym class days, it's evident these modifications are beneficial for everyone, regardless of their gender or physical prowess levels. Yet, the stereotype persists that women are somehow deemed 'less strong' and only indulge in workouts that men would find too easy. Not one to accept such baseless assumptions, Megan Thee Stallion demonstrated loud and clear that she is not here for such nonsense.

In her recent 'Hottie Bootcamp 2.0' Instagram series, rapper Megan Thee Stallion showcased a rigorous kettlebell workout routine curated by personal trainer, Tim Boutte. The intense session involved undertaking five distinct kettlebell drills with intervals of 30 seconds for each exercise and equivalent rest periods, replicating this cycle five times. Prior to initiating the workout, Megan invites her male companion to participate, who expresses his misconception about it being a 'girl workout', targeted towards toning thighs and buttocks. Evidently, he is oblivious of female Olympic weightlifters who effortlessly lift heavy weights.

Surely, Megan didn't let such gender-biased comments slide by. In the video, she retorts, "What's that? You can't manage it?" Skip ahead a tad and it's evident that Megan's buddy — who eventually gives in to attempt the routine — has grossly underestimated the intensity of this so-called "girl workout." Midway through a series of goblet squats, he puts down his kettlebell, hands on hips, visibly out of breath. "It's a girl workout - why are you panting?" Megan teases him in the clip. It's not surprising her friend was wiped out after just two sets; these exercises are demanding for anyone, and they certainly don't only work your "backside." Kettlebell training overall is known to enhance aerobic endurance, boost dynamic stability, and significantly build core strength, according to studies done by the American Council on Exercise. The specific exercises incorporated in Megan's regime target several primary muscle groups. (For example, the initial exercise, kettlebell swings, engage the hips, glutes, and hamstrings as you thrust your hips forward to bring the weight up to eye level. They also train the lats and triceps essential for shoulder extension, per ACE. Kettlebell goblet squats — Megan's second exercise and the one her friend struggled with — not just targets the glutes, calves, and hamstrings as you squat and rise back up, but also activates your back muscles, thereby improving your posture as you hold the bell chest-high. The third move — kettlebell stationary lunges — heightens the burn in the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves while testing your balance, as per ACE. If merely reading this has your legs trembling, brace yourself for the most challenging (and rewarding) exercises yet to come. The Bulgarian split squats Megan executes, where the back foot is raised, work both the lower and upper body, flex your hip muscles, and aid in boosting unilateral strength to ensure equally strong glutes. Lastly, Megan concludes her regime with suitcase sumo squats, holding the kettlebell at thigh height with one arm and keeping the other arm elevated at shoulder level. The sumo squat alone profoundly works the inner thighs and tests your balance, but by adding that suitcase hold, you also exercise your grip strength and obliques. Considering all these rigorous exercises are repeated for 30-second rounds five times over, it's understandable why Megan remarked this routine to be "tough as nails." Regardless of gender, there's a high chance you'll share a similar reaction (or maybe throw in a few extra curses) after attempting it yourself.