Bent Press

How to do the Bent Press

1. Clean a kettlebell to your shoulder. Clean the kettlebell to your shoulders by extending through the legs and hips as you raise the kettlebell towards your shoulder. The wrist should rotate as you do so. This will be your starting position.
2. Begin my leaning to the side opposite the kettlebell, continuing until you are able to touch the ground with your free hand, keeping your eyes on the kettlebell. As you do so, press the weight vertically be extending through the elbow, keeping your arm perpendicular to the ground.
3. Return to an upright position, with the kettlebell above your head. Return the kettlebell to the shoulder and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	abs
Secondary	glutes, hamstrings, lower back, quads, shoulders, triceps
Equipment	kettlebell
Difficulty	expert
Type	compound

No kettlebell? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

Spider Crawl Bodyweight Russian Twist Bodyweight 3/4 Sit-Up Bodyweight Air Bike Bodyweight Bent-Knee Hip Raise Bodyweight Bottoms Up Bodyweight

Easier than the Bent Press

Same movement pattern, lower entry difficulty — work up from here.

Landmine 180's beginner · Barbell Otis-Up beginner · Other Equipment Pallof Press With Rotation beginner · Cable Machine

Superset the Bent Press with

Opposing lower back work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Barbell Deadlift lower back Hyperextensions With No Hyperextension Bench lower back Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning lower back Weighted Ball Hyperextension lower back

Common questions

What muscles does the Bent Press work?

The Bent Press primarily works the abs, with the glutes, hamstrings, lower back, quads, shoulders, and triceps as secondary movers. Kettlebell Windmill, Barbell Rollout from Bench, and Kettlebell Pass Between The Legs train the same muscle, across 9 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Bent Press?

Kettlebells. Without kettlebells, Spider Crawl, Russian Twist, and 3/4 Sit-Up train the same muscle, and 45 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Bent Press suitable for beginners?

It is rated expert. Start with Landmine 180's, Otis-Up, and Pallof Press With Rotation and work up.

Where should the Bent Press go in a workout?

Early — the Bent Press is compound, working 7 muscle groups, so run it first or second while you are fresh, then superset Barbell Deadlift and Hyperextensions With No Hyperextension Bench later.

Similar exercises

Kettlebell Windmill Kettlebell Barbell Rollout from Bench Barbell Kettlebell Pass Between The Legs Kettlebell Landmine 180's Barbell Double Kettlebell Windmill Kettlebell Barbell Ab Rollout Barbell