The kettlebell seesaw press is a shoulder exercise that involves pressing kettlebells overhead in an alternating fashion, challenging both strength and coordination.
Quick Facts
How to Do Kettlebell Seesaw Press
Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform Kettlebell Seesaw Press with proper form and technique.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in each hand at shoulder height.
- Press one kettlebell overhead while keeping the other kettlebell at shoulder height.
- Lower the pressed kettlebell back to shoulder height while simultaneously pressing the other kettlebell overhead.
- Continue alternating the pressing motion, creating a seesaw-like movement.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Understanding which muscles Kettlebell Seesaw Press targets helps you integrate it effectively into your training program.
Target Muscles
These are the main muscles responsible for performing the movement and receive the greatest training stimulus.
Secondary Muscles
These muscles assist in the movement and receive secondary training benefits.
Benefits of Kettlebell Seesaw Press
Incorporating Kettlebell Seesaw Press into your workout routine offers numerous advantages for strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.
- Delts Development: Kettlebell Seesaw Press directly targets and strengthens the Delts, promoting muscle growth and improved functional strength.
- Secondary Muscle Engagement: This exercise also works the Triceps and Core, providing additional training stimulus without extra exercises.
- Dynamic Strength: Kettlebell exercises develop functional strength and power while improving grip strength and core stability.
- Functional Strength: Strength exercises like Kettlebell Seesaw Press build real-world strength that transfers to daily activities and athletic performance.
Safety Tips and Precautions
Performing Kettlebell Seesaw Press safely is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term progress.
- Warm Up Properly: Before performing Kettlebell Seesaw Press, complete 5-10 minutes of light cardio followed by dynamic stretches targeting the Delts and surrounding muscles.
- Prioritize Form Over Weight: Never sacrifice proper technique for heavier weights. Poor form significantly increases injury risk and reduces the exercise's effectiveness.
- Maintain Grip Security: Ensure your hands are dry or use chalk if needed. A kettlebell slipping mid-movement can cause serious injury.
- Shoulder Protection: Avoid flaring your elbows excessively, which can strain the shoulder joint. Keep your shoulders packed and stable.
- Respect Your Range of Motion: Work within your current mobility limits. Gradually improve flexibility over time rather than forcing deeper positions.
- Don't Hold Your Breath: Maintain consistent breathing throughout the exercise. Exhale during the exertion phase and inhale during the easier phase.
- Know When to Stop: End your set when you can no longer maintain proper form. Training to absolute failure on every set increases injury risk.
- Allow Adequate Recovery: The Delts typically need 48-72 hours to recover after intense training. Avoid training the same muscle group on consecutive days.
Tracking Your Progress
To make consistent gains with Kettlebell Seesaw Press, track these metrics during your workouts:
Track the number of sets you complete. Most training programs recommend 3-5 sets per exercise.
Record your repetitions per set. Adjust rep ranges based on your goals: 1-5 for strength, 6-12 for hypertrophy, 12+ for endurance.
Log the weight used for progressive overload. Aim to gradually increase weight while maintaining proper form.