10 Best Double Kettlebell Push Press Alternatives for Limited Equipment

The Double Kettlebell Push Press is done standing with a kettlebell. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Dumbbell Push Press, the EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press and the Bradford/rocky Presses.

Double Kettlebell Push Press

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the Double Kettlebell Push Press

The steps for the Double Kettlebell Push Press itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Delts, with calves, quadriceps, triceps · Kettlebell · Intermediate · Compound

  1. Clean two kettlebells to your shoulders.
  2. Squat down a few inches and reverse the motion rapidly. Use the momentum from the legs to drive the kettlebells overhead.
  3. Once the kettlebells are locked out, lower the kettlebells to your shoulders and repeat.

The 10 Best Double Kettlebell Push Press Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Double Kettlebell Push Press on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. Dumbbell Push PressPlay demonstration

    1. Dumbbell Push Press

    99% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Compound

    A good swap when you have dumbbells to work with, and it still works the delts.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder level.
    2. Bend your knees slightly and dip your body down, then explosively extend your legs and press the dumbbells overhead.
    3. Lock out your arms at the top of the movement, then lower the dumbbells back to shoulder level.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: overhead push press, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
  2. EZ Barbell Anti Gravity PressPlay demonstration

    2. EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press

    96% match

    Delts · Advanced · Compound

    A good swap when you have an EZ bar to work with, and it still works the delts.

    • Ez-barbell
    How to perform it
    1. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding the ez barbell with an overhand grip.
    2. Raise the barbell to shoulder height, keeping your elbows slightly bent and your palms facing forward.
    3. Press the barbell overhead, extending your arms fully.
    4. Lower the barbell back to shoulder height and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
  3. Bradford/rocky Presses

    3. Bradford/rocky Presses

    95% match

    Delts · Advanced · Compound

    A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the delts.

    • Barbell
    How to perform it
    1. Sit on a Military Press Bench with a bar at shoulder level with a pronated grip (palms facing forward). Tip: Your grip should be wider than shoulder width and it should create a 90-degree angle between the forearm and the upper arm as the barbell goes down. This is your starting position.
    2. Once you pick up the barbell with the correct grip, lift the bar up over your head by locking your arms.
    3. Now lower the bar down to the back of the head slowly as you inhale.
    4. Lift the bar back up to the starting position as you exhale.
    5. Lower the bar down to the starting position slowly as you inhale. This is one repetition.
    6. Alternate in this manner until you complete the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
  6. Standing Two-arm Overhead Throw

    6. Standing Two-arm Overhead Throw

    91% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Compound

    A good swap when you have a medicine ball to work with, and it still works the delts.

    • Medicine-ball
    How to perform it
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart holding a medicine ball in both hands. To begin, reach the medicine ball deep behind your head as you bend the knees slightly and lean back.
    2. Violently throw the ball forward, flexing at the hip and using your whole body to complete the movement.
    3. The medicine ball can be thrown to a partner or to a wall, receiving it as it bounces back.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
  7. One-arm Kettlebell Para Press

    7. One-arm Kettlebell Para Press

    91% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Compound

    Pick this when you want to work the delts one side at a time.

    • Kettlebell
    How to perform it
    1. Clean a kettlebell to your shoulder. Clean the kettlebell to your shoulder by extending through the legs and hips as you pull the kettlebell towards your shoulder. Rotate your wrist as you do so, so that the palm faces forward. This will be your starting position.
    2. Hold the kettlebell with the elbow out to the side, and press it up and out until it is locked out overhead.
    3. Lower the kettlebell back to your shoulder under control and repeat. Make sure to contract your lat, butt, and stomach forcefully for added stability and strength.

    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 Push Press
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Double Kettlebell Push Press
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Double Kettlebell Push Press

Why You Might Need a Double Kettlebell Push Press Alternative

You might substitute the Double Kettlebell Push Press for several reasons: kettlebells may be unavailable, wrist or shoulder issues can limit holding two bells, or you want a unilateral option to fix imbalances. Alternatives change load distribution and joint angle to reduce shear on the glenohumeral joint. Use cues like keeping the scapula stable and avoiding excessive lumbar extension; this shifts force from the spine to the hips and delts. Choosing a seated strict press removes leg drive and isolates the deltoids, while a landmine or single-arm press reduces shoulder compressive forces and still activates the anterior and medial deltoid fibers.

Double Kettlebell Push Press FAQ

What muscles does Double Kettlebell Push Press work?

The Double Kettlebell Push Press primarily targets the deltoids, especially the anterior and medial heads, while the triceps assist at lockout. It also uses the glutes, quads, and hamstrings for the hip drive and the core for stabilization; cue a packed shoulder and tight core to optimize force transfer.

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