10 Best Kettlebell Double Push Press Alternatives for Shoulder Strength
The Kettlebell Double Push Press is done standing with a kettlebell. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Push Press - Behind The Neck, the Dumbbell Push Press and the Push Press.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Primary muscle
- Delts
- Equipment
- Kettlebell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Triceps, Core
How to perform Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in each hand at shoulder height.
- Bend your knees slightly and engage your core.
- Initiate the movement by explosively extending your hips, knees, and ankles, driving the kettlebells overhead.
- As the kettlebells reach the top, press them fully overhead, locking out your arms.
- Lower the kettlebells back to the starting position by bending your elbows and bringing them back down to shoulder height.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked Kettlebell Double Push Press Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Kettlebell Double Push Press 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.
Best match 
1. Push Press - Behind The Neck
95% match- Delts
- Barbell
- Advanced
- Compound
A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the delts.
How to perform this exercise
- Standing with the weight racked on the back of the shoulders, begin with the dip. With your feet directly under your hips, flex the knees without moving the hips backward. Go down only slightly, and reverse direction as powerfully as possible. Drive through the heels create as much speed and force as possible, moving the bar in a vertical path.
- Using the momentum generated, finish pressing the weight overhead be extending through the arms.
- Return to the starting position, using your legs to absorb the impact.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: overhead push press, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
2. Dumbbell Push Press
95% match- Delts
- Dumbbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
A good swap when you have dumbbells to work with, and it still works the delts.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder level.
- Bend your knees slightly and dip your body down, then explosively extend your legs and press the dumbbells overhead.
- Lock out your arms at the top of the movement, then lower the dumbbells back to shoulder level.
- 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 Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press

3. Push Press
95% match- Delts
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: overhead push press, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press

4. Standing Two-arm Overhead Throw
95% match- Delts
- Medicine-ball
- Intermediate
- Compound
A good swap when you have a medicine ball to work with, and it still works the delts.
How to perform this exercise
- 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.
- Violently throw the ball forward, flexing at the hip and using your whole body to complete the movement.
- 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 Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
5. Kettlebell One Arm Push Press
93% match- Delts
- Kettlebell
- Intermediate
- Compound
Pick this when you want to work the delts one side at a time.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in one hand at shoulder level.
- Bend your knees slightly and engage your core.
- Press the kettlebell overhead by extending your arm and fully extending your legs.
- Lower the kettlebell back to the starting position by bending your knees and bringing the kettlebell back to your shoulder.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.
Why this matches
- Movement: overhead push press, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press

6. Bradford/rocky Presses
92% match- Delts
- Barbell
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- 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.
- Once you pick up the barbell with the correct grip, lift the bar up over your head by locking your arms.
- Now lower the bar down to the back of the head slowly as you inhale.
- Lift the bar back up to the starting position as you exhale.
- Lower the bar down to the starting position slowly as you inhale. This is one repetition.
- 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 Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press

7. Clean And Press
91% match- Delts
- Barbell
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Assume a shoulder-width stance, with knees inside the arms. Now while keeping the back flat, bend at the knees and hips so that you can grab the bar with the arms fully extended and a pronated grip that is slightly wider than shoulder width. Point the elbows out to sides. The bar should be close to the shins. Position the shoulders over or slightly ahead of the bar. Establish a flat back posture. This will be your starting position.
- Begin to pull the bar by extending the knees. Move your hips forward and raise the shoulders at the same rate while keeping the angle of the back constant; continue to lift the bar straight up while keeping it close to your body.
- As the bar passes the knee, extend at the ankles, knees, and hips forcefully, similar to a jumping motion. As you do so, continue to guide the bar with your hands, shrugging your shoulders and using the momentum from your movement to pull the bar as high as possible. The bar should travel close to your body, and you should keep your elbows out.
- At maximum elevation, your feet should clear the floor and you should start to pull yourself under the bar. The mechanics of this could change slightly, depending on the weight used. You should descend into a squatting position as you pull yourself under the bar.
- As the bar hits terminal height, rotate your elbows around and under the bar. Rack the bar across the front of the shoulders while keeping the torso erect and flexing the hips and knees to absorb the weight of the bar.
- Stand to full height, holding the bar in the clean position.
- Without moving your feet, press the bar overhead as you exhale. Lower the bar under control .
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
8. EZ Barbell Anti Gravity Press
91% match- Delts
- Ez-barbell
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding the ez barbell with an overhand grip.
- Raise the barbell to shoulder height, keeping your elbows slightly bent and your palms facing forward.
- Press the barbell overhead, extending your arms fully.
- 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 Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
9. Barbell Skier
90% match- Delts
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell in front of your thighs with an overhand grip.
- Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and chest up.
- Simultaneously lift the barbell up towards your shoulders while jumping slightly off the ground.
- As you reach the top of the movement, quickly reverse the motion and lower the barbell back down to the starting position.
- 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 Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press

10. One-arm Kettlebell Para Press
88% match- Delts
- Kettlebell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- 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.
- Hold the kettlebell with the elbow out to the side, and press it up and out until it is locked out overhead.
- 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 Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
- Body position: standing, the same as the Kettlebell Double Push Press
Why You Might Need a Kettlebell Double Push Press Alternative
You may substitute the kettlebell double push press because of limited equipment, shoulder pain, poor hip drive, or the need for unilateral work. A strict overhead press reduces hip contribution and increases deltoid isolation; cue: press through a vertical line over the mid-foot to limit lumbar extension. If you lack an extra kettlebell, use a dumbbell push press and emphasize a shorter, more controlled leg drive to preserve shoulder integrity. Choosing a substitute lets you maintain progressive overload while protecting rotator cuff and scapular mechanics.
How to Choose the Right Kettlebell Double Push Press Substitute
Pick a substitute based on your goal, available equipment, and movement faults. For power and transfer to athletic tasks, choose a push press variation and cue a fast but short hip extension to drive the bell. For hypertrophy or rehab, choose strict seated or standing overhead presses and cue full scapular upward rotation and slow eccentrics to increase time under tension. Consider unilateral options if you have asymmetries, keep the elbow tracking slightly forward of the body to maximize lateral deltoid activation and minimize compensatory torso lean.
Kettlebell Double Push Press FAQ
What muscles does Kettlebell Double Push Press work?
You primarily target the anterior and lateral deltoids, with secondary load on the triceps and upper traps. The hip drive recruits glutes and quads; cue: use a short leg dip to transfer force into the shoulders while maintaining a braced core to reduce shear on the spine.
Can I build muscle without doing Kettlebell Double Push Press?
Yes. You can build delts with strict overhead presses, dumbbell variations, and targeted accessory work like lateral raises while applying progressive overload. Cue: increase time under tension with controlled eccentrics and ensure the pressing line stays over the mid-foot to maintain optimal deltoid recruitment and safe biomechanics.
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