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Kettlebell Thruster
A full-body squat-to-press combination that uses leg drive to power kettlebells overhead, building shoulder power and conditioning together.
ShouldersKettlebellSquat to press
GoLightWeight mediakettlebell-thruster
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Anterior deltoidsQuadriceps
Secondary
GlutesTricepsCoreUpper trapezius
Equipment
Kettlebell
Pattern
Squat to press
Setup
- 01Clean one or two kettlebells to the rack position.
- 02Stand with feet shoulder width and toes slightly out.
- 03Keep the elbows tucked and the bells resting on the forearms.
- 04Brace the trunk before the first descent.
Execution
- 01Squat down under control keeping the torso upright.
- 02Drive hard out of the bottom through the whole foot.
- 03Use the momentum from the legs to press the bells straight overhead.
- 04Lock out the arms, then lower the bells to the rack as you begin the next squat.
Checkpoints
- -The press begins as the hips finish extending, not before.
- -Bells finish stacked over the shoulders at lockout.
- -Heels stay down through the squat.
- -The rack position is re-established before each descent.
Common mistakes
- -Pressing early and turning it into a squat plus strict press.
- -Collapsing the chest forward in the bottom of the squat.
- -Cutting squat depth as fatigue builds.
- -Letting the bells crash down onto the shoulders.
Programming notes
- -Use 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps for power work with heavier bells.
- -Use 10 to 20 rep sets or timed intervals for conditioning.
- -Keep loads moderate until the squat-to-press timing is smooth.
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