GymPlan AI
Exercises โ€บ Shoulders โ€บ Circus Bell

Circus Bell

Circus Bell is an expert compound strongman that mainly works your shoulders, with help from your forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, traps and triceps.

๐Ÿ’ช Shoulders๐Ÿ‹๏ธ Other๐Ÿ“ˆ Expert๐Ÿ”— Compound๐ŸŽฏ 3-5 sets of 5-10 reps
Circus Bell: starting position
Starting position
Circus Bell: end position
End position

How to do the circus bell

  1. The circus bell is an oversized dumbbell with a thick handle. Begin with the dumbbell between your feet, and grip the handle with both hands.
  2. Clean the dumbbell by extending through your hips and knees to deliver the implement to the desired shoulder, letting go with the extra hand.
  3. Ensure that you get one of the dumbbell heads behind the shoulder to keep from being thrown off balance. To raise it overhead, dip by flexing the knees, and the drive upwards as you extend the dumbbell overhead, leaning slightly away from it as you do so.
  4. Carefully guide the bell back to the floor, keeping it under control as much as possible. It is best to perform this event on a thick rubber mat to prevent damage to the floor.

Muscles worked

Primary: ShouldersSecondary: ForearmsSecondary: GlutesSecondary: HamstringsSecondary: Lower backSecondary: TrapsSecondary: Triceps

Sets and reps

For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.

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Circus Bell alternatives

Exercises that train the same main muscle.

Log LiftOther ยท IntermediateCrucifixOther ยท Beginner

FAQ

What muscles does the circus bell work?

It mainly works your shoulders; your forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, traps and triceps assist.

How many sets and reps of circus bell should I do?

For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.

Is the circus bell good for beginners?

It is an advanced movement. Build a base with simpler exercises for the same muscles first, and learn it with light weight or a coach.

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