Kettlebell Halo

About This Exercise

A shoulder-mobility / conditioning drill where the athlete circles a kettlebell around the head close to the body, alternating directions. Trains thoracic rotation, shoulder mobility under load, and grip endurance. Often used as a warm-up or mobility piece in kettlebell sessions. Distinct from Kettlebell Windmill (lateral-flexion lift, not a circle around the head) and from Kettlebell Figure 8 (between-the-legs pass).

1Setup

Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a kettlebell upside-down (handle up, bell down) with both hands gripping the horns of the handle. Bell starts at chest height in front of the body. Trunk braced.

2Execution

Circle the kettlebell around the head, keeping it close to the skull. Lead with one elbow, pass the bell behind the head, then bring it back to the front via the other elbow. That is one rep in one direction. Reverse direction for the next rep, alternating throughout the set.

Pro Tips

• Keep the bell close to the head — wide circles waste the mobility benefit
• Trunk stays upright — do not lean to make the circle easier
• Move slowly and deliberately — this is mobility work, not speed work
• If shoulder mobility is limited, start with a lighter bell or substitute Reverse Snow Angels