Kettlebell Seated Press — start position
Start
Kettlebell Seated Press — end position
End

Shoulders / Intermediate / Compound (multi-joint)

Kettlebell Seated Press

A kettlebell exercise for the front delts, with the triceps assisting.

At a glance

Primary
Front delts
Secondary
Triceps
Equipment
Kettlebell
Movement pattern
Overhead push
Level
Intermediate
Type
Shoulders, Compound (multi-joint)

How to do it

  1. Sit on the floor and spread your legs out comfortably.
  2. Clean one kettlebell to your shoulder.
  3. Press the kettlebell up and out until it is locked out overhead. Return to the starting position.

Common mistakes

  • ✗ Wrist bent back under the bell.

    Why it hurts: The bell's weight hangs on the wrist and can sprain it.

    ✓ Instead: Keep the wrist straight with the bell resting on the forearm.

  • ✗ Pressing out to the side.

    Why it hurts: The shoulder loads in a wide, unstable position.

    ✓ Instead: Start with the elbow in front of the body and press up in a slight arc.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts — primary (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps — secondary (Back)Forearms & grip (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Front delts
  • Secondary: Triceps

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (github.com/yuhonas/free-exercise-db), public domain.