TETSUButt-Ups vs Kettlebell Advanced Windmill
The Butt-Ups and the Kettlebell Advanced Windmill both train the abs as their primary muscle. The Butt-Ups are bodyweight-only while the Kettlebell Advanced Windmill uses a kettlebell. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Butt-Ups | Kettlebell Advanced Windmill | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | abs | abs |
| Body part | waist | waist |
| Supporting muscles | hip flexors and lower back | obliques and shoulders |
| Equipment | bodyweight | kettlebell |
| Steps in our guide | 6 | 9 |
How each one starts
Butt-Ups — first steps
- Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
- Place your hands by your sides, palms facing down.
Kettlebell Advanced Windmill — first steps
- Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward.
- Hold a kettlebell in your right hand, with your arm extended overhead and your palm facing forward.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Butt-Ups need no equipment and scale through leverage, tempo and reps. The Kettlebell Advanced Windmill shifts the load off-center, adding grip and stabilizer demand. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the abs adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Are the Butt-Ups better than the Kettlebell Advanced Windmill?
Neither is universally better — both train the abs as the primary mover. The Butt-Ups need no equipment and scale through leverage, tempo and reps, while the Kettlebell Advanced Windmill shifts the load off-center, adding grip and stabilizer demand. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Butt-Ups and the Kettlebell Advanced Windmill in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the abs. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Butt-Ups and the Kettlebell Advanced Windmill work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the abs. Supporting muscles differ slightly — hip flexors and lower back for the Butt-Ups versus obliques and shoulders for the Kettlebell Advanced Windmill.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.