When guys who lift weights do a shoulder press with a kettlebell instead of a barbell, their butt muscles work way harder to keep them stable.

0

Pro

40

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No supporting evidence found

Contradicting (1)

40

Community contributions welcome

40

Surface electromyography excitation in barbell vs. kettlebell overhead press prime movers and stabilizer muscles

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

The study looked at muscle activity during kettlebell and barbell shoulder presses, but it didn’t measure or prove that the kettlebell version strongly activates the glutes more than the barbell version.

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Surface electromyography excitation in barbell vs. kettlebell overhead press prime movers and stabilizer muscles

Score: 40

DOI: 10.1007/s11332-024-01301-w

Similar Assertions

When male athletes do overhead presses, using a kettlebell makes their lower back muscles work harder than when using a barbell — probably because the kettlebell is less stable and wobblier.

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When male athletes lower a kettlebell during a shoulder press, their upper trap muscles work harder than when using a barbell—probably because the kettlebell wobbles more and needs more control.

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When guys who lift weights do the lowering part of a shoulder press, using a kettlebell makes the front shoulder muscle work harder than using a barbell — probably because the kettlebell is less stable and harder to control.

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When strong male lifters do overhead presses, using a kettlebell makes the forearm muscles work harder than using a barbell — probably because the kettlebell wobbles more and is harder to grip.

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When guys lift weights overhead using a shaky bar with weights swinging off it, their core and shoulder muscles have to work harder than when using a regular, steady bar.

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