Shoulders · Kettlebell

Kettlebell Prone Rear Delt Swing

How to do the kettlebell prone rear delt swing, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.

Animated demonstration of the Kettlebell Prone Rear Delt Swing
Equipment
Kettlebell
Difficulty
Intermediate
Logged as
Weighted reps
Movement
HorizontalPull
Mechanic
Isolation

How to do it

Lie chest-down on a flat bench holding a kettlebell in each hand with arms hanging straight toward the floor. With a slight bend in your elbows, swing the kettlebells out and up to the sides until your arms reach torso level, leading with your rear delts. Lower under control.

  1. 1Your rear delts contracting as you swing the kettlebells out to the sides
  2. 2Your shoulder blades squeezing together at the top
  3. 3A controlled lowering with a gentle stretch across the chest

Common mistakes

  • Using a hard swing or body momentum to throw the kettlebells up
  • Shrugging your shoulders or locking your elbows
  • Going above torso level or letting the chest lift off the bench

Muscles worked

The kettlebell prone rear delt swing mainly works the rear delts and mid traps, with the lower traps assisting.

  • Rear DeltsPrimary
  • Mid TrapsPrimary
  • Lower TrapsSupport
  • BicepsMinor
  • ForearmsMinor
  • Side DeltsMinor
  • External RotatorsMinor

Kovo programs the kettlebell prone rear delt swing 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.

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Last reviewed June 2026.