Kettlebell Arnold Press

An intermediate strength exercise for the shoulders and triceps, done with a kettlebell.

Movement guide

Kettlebell Arnold Press

Demand · source-assignedMedium (unreviewed)

Equipment requiredA kettlebell

Muscle focusShoulders · Triceps

Gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.

Watch it bigger, and flip through similar moves, in the studio.Open in the studio

Make it easier or harder

Start where you can move well, then step up.

Easier option

Machine shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoMachine shoulder pressBeginner · Strength machine

Similar move, beginner grade.

This move

Kettlebell Arnold Press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoKettlebell Arnold PressIntermediate · A kettlebell

Intermediate grade (source-assigned).

Harder option

Bench press with bands demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBench press with bandsAdvanced · A barbell + A band + A bench or box

Similar move, advanced grade.

Imported reference · editorial review pending. Clinical review is pending.

This entry comes from an external exercise database. Its instructions and difficulty have not completed our editorial or qualified clinical review.

How to move

Clean a kettlebell to your shoulder. Clean the kettlebell to your shoulder by extending through the legs and hips as you raise the kettlebell towards your shoulder. The palm should be facing inward.
Looking straight ahead, press the kettlebell out and overhead, rotating your wrist so that your palm faces forward at the top of the motion.
Return the kettlebell to the starting position, with the palm facing in.

Practice and cautions

No dose has been assigned. Any timing or repetition examples in the imported instructions are source examples, not an individualized recommendation.

Imported community instructions and difficulty labels have not been independently reviewed for technique or individual suitability. Equipment labels may include additions inferred from the setup text; check the instructions for the exact support or alternatives. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, numbness or tingling; seek qualified guidance for symptoms, unfamiliar equipment or advanced skills.

Add to a routine Log a session

Sources and review status

Sources support the educational description; they do not establish that this exercise is suitable for you.

Free Exercise DB · community text ↗
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5

No variation is labeled clinically validated.

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What it works

Muscles

Main: Shoulders. Also: Triceps.

Equipment

A kettlebell

Level

Intermediate (source-assigned, not yet reviewed). See the easier and harder options above.

Similar moves

Arnold Dumbbell Press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoArnold Dumbbell PressIntermediate · A dumbbell + A bench or box

Alternating cable shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating cable shoulder pressIntermediate · A cable machine

Alternating kettlebell press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating kettlebell pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

Double kettlebell military press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoDouble kettlebell military pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

Double kettlebell push press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoDouble kettlebell push pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

Kettlebell seesaw press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoKettlebell seesaw pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

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Questions people ask

What muscles does the Kettlebell Arnold Press work?

Mainly the shoulders, with help from the triceps.

What equipment do I need for the Kettlebell Arnold Press?

A kettlebell.

Is the Kettlebell Arnold Press good for beginners?

It is graded intermediate. The grade comes from the source database and has not been independently reviewed. If it is too hard right now, start with the Machine shoulder press.

What is an easier alternative to the Kettlebell Arnold Press?

Try the Machine shoulder press. It works similar muscles at a lower grade.

How do I make the Kettlebell Arnold Press harder?

Progress to the Bench press with bands, or add load, range or slower lowering once your form is solid.