10 Best Kettlebell Plyo Push-up Alternatives for Strength & Power

The Kettlebell Plyo Push-up is done lying face down with a kettlebell. Ranked closest by our scoring: Plyo Kettlebell Pushups, the Deep Push Up and the Weighted Drop Push Up.

Kettlebell Plyo Push-upWatch the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up

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

How to Do the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up

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

Pectorals, with triceps, shoulders, core · Kettlebell · Advanced · Compound

  1. Start in a high plank position with your hands on the kettlebells, shoulder-width apart.
  2. Lower your chest towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your body.
  3. Push through your hands explosively, lifting your hands off the kettlebells and extending your arms fully.
  4. Land softly back on the kettlebells and immediately lower your chest back down for the next repetition.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best Kettlebell Plyo Push-up Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up 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. Plyo Kettlebell Pushups

    1. Plyo Kettlebell Pushups

    99% match

    Pectorals · Advanced · Compound

    It uses the same equipment and still works the pectorals.

    • Kettlebell
    How to perform it
    1. Place a kettlebell on the floor. Place yourself in a pushup position, on your toes with one hand on the ground and one hand holding the kettlebell, with your elbows extended. This will be your starting position.
    2. Begin by lowering yourself as low as you can, keeping your back straight.
    3. Quickly and forcefully reverse direction, pushing yourself up to the other side of the kettlebell, switching hands as you do so. Continue the movement by descending and repeating the movement back and forth.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
  2. Deep Push UpPlay demonstration

    2. Deep Push Up

    92% match

    Pectorals · Intermediate · Compound

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

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line.
    2. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
    3. Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
  3. Weighted Drop Push UpPlay demonstration

    3. Weighted Drop Push Up

    92% match

    Pectorals · Advanced · Compound

    Pick this when you want to work the pectorals with less balance to manage.

    • Weighted
    How to perform it
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
    2. Lower your chest towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your body.
    3. Once your chest is just above the ground, explosively push yourself up, lifting your hands off the ground.
    4. As you push up, quickly move your hands out to the sides and slightly forward, allowing your body to drop down towards the ground.
    5. Catch yourself with your hands in the wider position and immediately lower your chest towards the ground again.
    6. Repeat the push-up motion, dropping down and catching yourself with your hands in the narrower position.
    7. Continue alternating between the wider and narrower hand positions for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
  4. Chest Push With Run Release

    4. Chest Push With Run Release

    90% match

    Pectorals · Intermediate · Compound

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

    • Medicine-ball
    How to perform it
    1. Begin in an athletic stance with the knees bent, hips back, and back flat. Hold the medicine ball near your legs. This will be your starting position.
    2. While taking your first step draw the medicine ball into your chest.
    3. As you take the second step, explosively push the ball forward, immediately sprinting for 10 yards after the release. If you are really fast, you can catch your own pass!

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Body position: standing, not lying face down
  6. Push-up Medicine BallPlay demonstration

    6. Push-up Medicine Ball

    88% match

    Pectorals · Intermediate · Compound

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

    • Medicine-ball
    How to perform it
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands on the medicine ball, shoulder-width apart.
    2. Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your back straight.
    3. Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
    4. 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
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Kettlebell Plyo Push-up

Kettlebell Plyo Push-up FAQ

What muscles does Kettlebell Plyo Push-up work?

The movement primarily targets the pectoralis major (sternal and clavicular heads) through rapid horizontal adduction, plus triceps for forceful elbow extension and anterior deltoids for stabilization. It also recruits core and scapular stabilizers to control landing and transfer of explosive force.

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