10 Best Double Kettlebell Jerk Alternatives for Shoulder Strength

The Double Kettlebell Jerk is done standing with a kettlebell. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Handstand Push-up, Handstand Push-ups and the Left Hook. Boxing.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Double Kettlebell Jerk

Double Kettlebell Jerk
Primary muscle
Delts
Equipment
Kettlebell
Difficulty
Advanced
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Calves, Quadriceps, Triceps

How to perform Double Kettlebell Jerk
  1. Hold a kettlebell by the handle in each hand.
  2. Clean the kettlebells to your shoulders by extending through the legs and hips as you pull the kettlebells towards your shoulders. Rotate your wrists as you do so, so that the palms face forward. This will be your starting position.
  3. Dip your body by bending the knees, keeping your torso upright.
  4. Immediately reverse direction, driving through the heels, in essence jumping to create momentum.
  5. As you do so, press the kettlebells overhead to lockout by extending the arms, using your body's momentum to move the weights.
  6. Return your feet to the ground in a split fashion, with one foot forward and one foot back.
  7. Keeping the weights overhead, return to a standing position, bringing your feet together. Lower the weights to perform the next repetition.
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Ranked Double Kettlebell Jerk Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Double Kettlebell Jerk on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

  1. Best match
    Handstand Push-upPlay demonstration

    1. Handstand Push-up

    69% match
    • Delts
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the delts with bodyweight alone.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Find a wall and face away from it, standing a few feet away.
    2. Place your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart and kick your feet up against the wall, coming into a handstand position.
    3. Bend your elbows and lower your head towards the ground, keeping your body in a straight line.
    4. Push through your hands and extend your arms to return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Double Kettlebell Jerk
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: inverted, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Double Kettlebell Jerk
  2. Handstand Push-ups

    2. Handstand Push-ups

    64% match
    • Delts
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. With your back to the wall bend at the waist and place both hands on the floor at shoulder width.
    2. Kick yourself up against the wall with your arms straight. Your body should be upside down with the arms and legs fully extended. Keep your whole body as straight as possible. Tip: If doing this for the first time, have a spotter help you. Also, make sure that you keep facing the wall with your head, rather than looking down.
    3. Slowly lower yourself to the ground as you inhale until your head almost touches the floor. Tip: It is of utmost importance that you come down slow in order to avoid head injury.
    4. Push yourself back up slowly as you exhale until your elbows are nearly locked.
    5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Double Kettlebell Jerk
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: inverted, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Double Kettlebell Jerk
  3. Left Hook. BoxingPlay demonstration

    3. Left Hook. Boxing

    57% match
    • Delts
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    Pick this when you want an easier version that works the delts one side at a time.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
    2. Keep your left hand up to protect your face and your right hand by your chin.
    3. Rotate your hips and pivot on your left foot as you extend your left arm forward in a punching motion.
    4. Twist your torso and engage your core muscles to generate power in the punch.
    5. Snap your arm back to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Double Kettlebell Jerk
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Jerk
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Double Kettlebell Jerk
  4. Korean DipsPlay demonstration

    4. Korean Dips

    53% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the pectorals rather than the delts.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms extended and supporting your body weight.
    2. Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
    3. Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Jerk
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Double Kettlebell Jerk
  5. HandstandPlay demonstration

    5. Handstand

    50% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the triceps rather than the delts.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Find an open space with enough room to perform a handstand.
    2. Place your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward.
    3. Kick your legs up towards the wall, using your core and shoulders to maintain balance.
    4. Once in a handstand position, engage your triceps to support your body weight.
    5. Hold the handstand for as long as you can maintain balance.
    6. To come down, slowly lower your legs back to the ground.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, 3 sets.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: inverted, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Double Kettlebell Jerk
  6. Modified Hindu Push-upPlay demonstration

    6. Modified Hindu Push-up

    50% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Lower your body towards the ground, bending your elbows and keeping your core engaged.
    3. As you lower your body, shift your weight back and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, creating an inverted V shape with your body.
    4. Continue to lower your body until your chest is just above the ground, then reverse the movement, pushing your hips back down and extending your arms to return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Jerk
  7. Reverse DipPlay demonstration

    7. Reverse Dip

    49% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
    2. Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
    3. Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Jerk
  8. Triceps Dip (Between Benches)Play demonstration

    8. Triceps Dip (Between Benches)

    49% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with your hands gripping the edge of the bench, fingers pointing forward.
    2. Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
    3. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Jerk
  9. Elbow DipsPlay demonstration

    9. Elbow Dips

    48% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge next to your hips.
    2. Slide your hips forward off the bench and straighten your legs, keeping your heels on the ground.
    3. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your hands to straighten your arms and lift your body back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Jerk
  10. Incline Push-up (On Box)Play demonstration

    10. Incline Push-up (On Box)

    47% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place your hands on the edge of a box or elevated surface, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
    3. Lower your chest towards the box by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Jerk
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Double Kettlebell Jerk

Why You Might Need a Double Kettlebell Jerk Alternative

You might substitute the Double Kettlebell Jerk for several reasons: limited kettlebells, shoulder pain, poor mobility, or a training goal that favors strict strength or unilateral work. The jerk relies on rapid triple extension and a fast dip-under to load the delts; if you have rotator cuff irritation choose a strict press to remove ballistic shear. If you lack hip drive, choose presses that isolate the deltoids. For equipment limits, dumbbells or a barbell can reproduce the same rack and lockout demands. Cue: brace the core, initiate with the hips, then dip and drive to protect the shoulder joint and maximize deltoid activation.

Double Kettlebell Jerk FAQ

What muscles does Double Kettlebell Jerk work?

The Double Kettlebell Jerk targets the deltoids (primarily anterior and lateral heads), triceps for lockout, upper traps for elevation, and lower-body extensors (glutes, quads, calves) that generate the hip drive. It also taxes the core and rotator cuff stabilizers during the rapid dip–drive and rack-to-lockout transition; cue: extend hips explosively then dip under to catch the load.

Can I build muscle without doing Double Kettlebell Jerk?

Yes, you can build shoulder muscle with strict overhead presses, dumbbell presses, and targeted lateral raises using progressive overload and controlled tempo. Use 6–12 rep ranges for hypertrophy, emphasize full range of motion and eccentric control, and cue: keep scapula packed and lead the press with the elbow to maximize deltoid activation.

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