Shoulders · Kettlebell
Kettlebell Halo
How to do the kettlebell halo, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Kettlebell
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Extension
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Grab a kettlebell by the horns and hold it upside down in front of your chest. Brace your core and lift the kettlebell up and around your head, moving in a full circle close to your head. Keep your elbows tucked in and make the movement slow and controlled. Complete the circle back to the front and then reverse the direction. Maintain an upright posture throughout.
- 1Feel your shoulders, arms, and core stabilizing as you circle the kettlebell around your head
- 2Keep the kettlebell close to your head and move slowly to engage your muscles
- 3Maintain a tight grip and even pace to feel the full range of motion
Common mistakes
- Avoid arching your back or jutting your head forward
- Don't let the kettlebell drift too far away; keep it close
- Avoid rushing; control the halo to prevent losing balance
Muscles worked
The kettlebell halo works the forearms, front delts, side delts, upper traps, upper abs, and rear delts.
- ForearmsSupport
- Front DeltsSupport
- Side DeltsSupport
- Upper TrapsSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- Rear DeltsSupport
- Mid TrapsMinor
- Lower TrapsMinor
Kettlebell Halo strength standards
See how your kettlebell halo ranks, from Bronze to Champion. These are the same standards the Kovo app uses to rank your lifts.
Bronzee1RM10 lb
Silvere1RM17 lb
Golde1RM23 lb
Platinume1RM32 lb
Diamonde1RM44 lb
Champione1RM53 lb
Find your rank
Enter your best set. We estimate your 1RM and match it to a tier.
Kovo tracks this rank automatically as you train, across every lift, and levels you up as you get stronger.
Kovo programs the kettlebell halo for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More shoulders exercises
- How to do the battle rope alternating waves
- How to do the arm circles
- How to do the arnold press
- How to do the resistance band front raise
- How to do the resistance band lateral raise
- How to do the resistance band overhead press
Last reviewed April 2026.