10 Best One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch Alternatives for Shoulder Power
The One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch is done standing with a kettlebell. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Handstand Push-up, the Left Hook. Boxing and Handstand Push-ups.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch

- Primary muscle
- Delts
- Equipment
- Kettlebell
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Hamstrings, Quadriceps
How to perform One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
- Hold a kettlebell in one hand by the handle.
- Squat towards the floor, and then reverse the motion, extending the hips, knees, and finally the ankles, to raise the kettlebell overhead.
- After fully extending the body, descend into a lunge position to receive the weights overhead, one leg forward and one leg back. Ensure you drive through with your hips and lock the ketttlebells overhead in one uninterrupted motion.
- Return to a standing position, holding the weight overhead, and bring the feet together. Lower the weight to return to the starting position.
Ranked One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch 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. Handstand Push-up
65% 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
- Find a wall and face away from it, standing a few feet away.
- Place your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart and kick your feet up against the wall, coming into a handstand position.
- Bend your elbows and lower your head towards the ground, keeping your body in a straight line.
- Push through your hands and extend your arms to return 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 One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: inverted, not standing
2. Left Hook. Boxing
64% match- Delts
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
- Keep your left hand up to protect your face and your right hand by your chin.
- Rotate your hips and pivot on your left foot as you extend your left arm forward in a punching motion.
- Twist your torso and engage your core muscles to generate power in the punch.
- 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 One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch

3. Handstand Push-ups
60% match- Delts
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- With your back to the wall bend at the waist and place both hands on the floor at shoulder width.
- 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.
- 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.
- Push yourself back up slowly as you exhale until your elbows are nearly locked.
- 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 One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: inverted, not standing
4. One Arm Dip
54% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
A looser match: it works the triceps rather than the delts.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand facing away from a bench or chair, with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Place one hand on the bench or chair behind you, fingers pointing towards your body.
- Extend your legs out in front of you, keeping your heels on the ground.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench or chair.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your palms to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides and repeat with the other arm.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
5. Ring Dips
52% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by hanging from the rings with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your shoulders are below your elbows.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
- Equipment: a suspension trainer, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
6. Reverse Dip
49% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- 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 One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
- Balance: easier to stay steady on than the One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
7. Korean Dips
47% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
A looser match: it works the pectorals rather than the delts.
How to perform this exercise
- Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms extended and supporting your body weight.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- 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 One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
8. Handstand
45% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Find an open space with enough room to perform a handstand.
- Place your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward.
- Kick your legs up towards the wall, using your core and shoulders to maintain balance.
- Once in a handstand position, engage your triceps to support your body weight.
- Hold the handstand for as long as you can maintain balance.
- To come down, slowly lower your legs back to the ground.
- 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
9. Side Push-up
45% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by lying on your side with your legs extended and stacked on top of each other.
- Place your bottom hand on the ground directly under your shoulder, fingers pointing forward.
- Press through your bottom hand to lift your body off the ground, keeping your legs straight and your core engaged.
- Extend your top arm straight up towards the ceiling, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
- Lower your body back down to the starting position with control.
- 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
- Primary muscle: triceps, not delts
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Lats
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a towel with one hand.
- Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
- Pull the towel towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the towel back to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other arm.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: lats, not delts
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, the same as the One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch FAQ
What muscles does One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch work?
The move primarily targets the deltoids (especially anterior and lateral heads), upper traps, and rotator-cuff stabilizers during the overhead lockout, while hip extensors and glutes produce the explosive drive. Your core and obliques engage for anti-rotation and balance when performing the split stance; cue a tight brace through the midline to maximize transfer.
Can I build muscle without doing One-arm Kettlebell Split Snatch?
Yes. Use progressive overload with unilateral presses, controlled eccentrics, and higher volume to hypertrophy the delts and supporting muscles. Implement slow 3-4s eccentrics, keep the shoulder packed, and vary angles (vertical and horizontal) to fully activate the deltoid heads.
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