Shoulders · Kettlebell
Kettlebell Lateral Raise
How to do the kettlebell lateral 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
Stand tall holding a kettlebell in one hand at your side. Keeping a slight bend in your elbow, raise the bell out to the side until your arm is parallel to the floor, then lower it under control.
- 1Side delt burning as you lift the bell to shoulder height
- 2Slight elbow bend held while you lead with the elbow
- 3Constant tension through the full range, no resting at the bottom
Common mistakes
- Swinging the body or using momentum to throw the bell up
- Shrugging the shoulder toward your ear
- Raising above shoulder height; stop when the arm is parallel
Muscles worked
The kettlebell lateral raise mainly works the side delts, with the upper traps assisting.
- Side DeltsPrimary
- Upper TrapsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
Kovo programs the kettlebell lateral 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.