Shoulders · Kettlebell
Kettlebell Incline Y Raise
How to do the kettlebell incline y raise, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Kettlebell
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Extension
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Lie chest-down on an incline bench holding a light kettlebell in each hand, arms hanging straight down. Rotate your thumbs up and, keeping a slight bend in your elbows, raise your arms at a 45-degree angle so they form a Y shape relative to your body. Lift until your hands reach shoulder level, squeezing your shoulder blades together, then lower slowly.
- 1Your lower traps and rear delts engaging as you raise the kettlebells
- 2into the Y
- 3Your thumbs pointing up with a slight bend held in your elbows
- 4A controlled eccentric as you lower from the top
Common mistakes
- Going so heavy that you shrug or arch your back
- Letting the kettlebells drift out of the Y position
- Using momentum instead of moving deliberately
Muscles worked
The kettlebell incline y raise mainly works the mid traps and rear delts, with the lower traps and side delts assisting.
- Mid TrapsPrimary
- Rear DeltsPrimary
- Lower TrapsSupport
- Side DeltsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- Upper AbsMinor
Kovo programs the kettlebell incline y raise 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 June 2026.