Pressing heavy kettelbells overhead is an excellent way to test strength. Unlike dumbbells, kettebells feel off-center and awkward, and are more difficult to control. It takes a lot more stability of the trunk (abs) as well as stronger shoulders to double press the bells straight overhead. (the video below is a press with 2 – 70lbs kettlebells)
If you are not experienced with competition kettlebells, make sure you go light. I have seen new people in videos almost rip their arms off pressing bells overhead. They are not dumbbells!
I have not pressed bells overhead in months because my focus has been on the snatch. So today I decided to test whether my strength has increased or decreased from specializing in snatch exercises.
The results? I got a PR of 1 extra rep (14)! So it appears that snatch work does carry over to presses in my case.
https://youtu.be/TBZ3OdQAnXk
