Arnold Press (Kettlebell)
Level
intermediate
Force
push
Mechanic
compound
Equipment
kettlebells Category
strength Primary Muscles
Secondary Muscles

A kettlebell shoulder exercise where the weight is pressed overhead with a rotating wrist motion, engaging multiple shoulder angles.
Instructions
- Clean a kettlebell to your shoulder. Clean the kettlebell to your shoulder by extending through the legs and hips as you raise the kettlebell towards your shoulder. The palm should be facing inward.
- Looking straight ahead, press the kettlebell out and overhead, rotating your wrist so that your palm faces forward at the top of the motion.
- Return the kettlebell to the starting position, with the palm facing in.
Tips
- The wrist rotation is key to engaging all three deltoid heads.
- Control the descent to maximize the eccentric phase of the movement.
- Perform equal reps on both sides for balanced development.
Recommended starting values
Sensible novice starting points for each goal, for a lifter aged 25–40. Scale down for smaller frames or older lifters. Treat the first set of any session as a discovery set.
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | |||
| Gain strength | 3 | 7 reps | 13 kg | 7 kg |
| Build muscle | 3 | 10 reps | 12 kg | 7 kg |
| Build endurance | 3 | 14 reps | 9 kg | 5 kg |
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