Kettlebell Halo
A shoulder control drill where you hold a kettlebell upside down by the horns and circle it closely around your head, first one way, then the other, working the front and rear delts.
- Primary muscles
- Front delts, Rear delts
- Secondary
- Traps, Side delts
- Logged as
- Weight × reps
Loads from YouTube only when you press play. The video is by an independent creator.
Why do it
Halos are usually done with a light bell as a warm-up or for shoulder control, though a heavier one makes them a tough accessory. They move the shoulders around a full circle, which presses and raises don't cover, while your core keeps your torso still. They suit kettlebell and home workouts and pair well with overhead pressing. Count each full circle as a rep and do the same number in each direction.
How to do it
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a kettlebell upside down by the horns in front of your chest.
Brace your core and keep your ribs down.
Circle the kettlebell around your head, close to it, going to one side, behind, then round to the front.
Repeat in the other direction. Keep your torso still; the movement belongs to your shoulders, not your spine.
Common mistakes
Swinging the bell wide
A wide arc pulls you off balance and loses the shoulder work. Keep the kettlebell close to your head all the way around.
Ribs flaring as it passes behind
Your lower back tends to arch when the bell goes behind your head. Brace your core and keep your ribs down, as the steps say.
Ducking your head out of the way
Dipping your head or twisting your torso shrinks the shoulder range. Keep your head and torso still and let your arms travel around them.
Circling in one direction only
Always going the same way trains one direction more. Do the same number of circles clockwise and counterclockwise.
Sets, reps and progression
How many sets you do and how close to failure you take them depend on your goal and your week, not on the exercise. These guides cover it:
Alternatives that train the same thing
Same movement, a different angle or piece of equipment.
