Kettlebell Halo with Overhead Extension
Kettlebell Halo with Overhead Extension is an intermediate compound kettlebell exercise that mainly works your shoulders and triceps, with help from your traps, upper back and abs.
How to do the kettlebell halo with overhead extension
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a kettlebell upside down by the horns, with the bell above your hands and close to your chest. Brace your abdominals and squeeze your glutes so your ribcage stays down. This is your starting position.
- Keeping your elbows close to your head, move the kettlebell up past one ear and around until it sits behind your head. Pause here.
- From this position, extend your elbows to press the kettlebell up and overhead until your arms are straight, keeping your upper arms alongside your head.
- Bend your elbows to lower the kettlebell back to the pause position behind your head, under control.
- Continue the circle past the opposite ear and back down to the starting position in front of your chest to complete one repetition.
- Alternate the direction of the circle on each repetition. Keep your head, hips and lower back still throughout; if your lower back arches or you cannot reach the overhead position without leaning back, use a lighter weight or perform the halo and the extension as separate exercises.
Muscles worked
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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Start your free trialKettlebell Halo with Overhead Extension alternatives
Exercises that train the same main muscle, including options with other equipment.
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What muscles does the kettlebell halo with overhead extension work?
It mainly works your shoulders and triceps; your traps, upper back and abs assist.
How many sets and reps of kettlebell halo with overhead extension 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 kettlebell halo with overhead extension good for beginners?
It suits lifters with some experience. Beginners can start with a lighter weight or one of the alternatives below.