Shoulders · Kettlebell
Kettlebell Strict Press
How to do the kettlebell strict press, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Kettlebell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- VerticalPush
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Clean a kettlebell to the rack position so it rests on the back of your forearm at shoulder height. Brace your core and press it straight overhead until your arm locks out, then lower under control back to the rack.
- 1Your shoulder and triceps driving the bell overhead
- 2Your core and glutes bracing to keep you upright
- 3The bell settling onto the back of your forearm in the rack
Common mistakes
- Arching your lower back to muscle the bell up
- Letting the bell drift forward away from your midline
- Shrugging or leaning back at the top of the press
Muscles worked
The kettlebell strict press mainly works the front delts, with the triceps, forearms, upper chest, upper traps, upper abs, and side delts assisting.
- Front DeltsPrimary
- TricepsSupport
- ForearmsSupport
- Upper ChestSupport
- Upper TrapsSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- Side DeltsSupport
- Lower BackMinor
- Lower AbsMinor
- ObliquesMinor
- GlutesMinor
Kovo programs the kettlebell strict press 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.