TETSUBand Y-Raise vs Kettlebell Arnold Press
The Band Y-Raise and the Kettlebell Arnold Press both train the delts as their primary muscle. The Band Y-Raise uses a band while the Kettlebell Arnold Press uses a kettlebell. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Band Y-Raise | Kettlebell Arnold Press | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | delts | delts |
| Body part | shoulders | shoulders |
| Supporting muscles | traps and rhomboids | triceps and upper back |
| Equipment | band | kettlebell |
| Steps in our guide | 5 | 4 |
How each one starts
Band Y-Raise — first steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the band in front of your thighs with your palms facing inwards.
- Keep your arms straight and lift them up and out to the sides, forming a 'Y' shape with your body.
Kettlebell Arnold Press — first steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in each hand at shoulder height with your palms facing towards you.
- Engage your core and press the kettlebells overhead, rotating your palms to face forward as you extend your arms.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Band Y-Raise gives accommodating resistance that peaks at the top of the range. The Kettlebell Arnold Press shifts the load off-center, adding grip and stabilizer demand. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the delts adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Band Y-Raise better than the Kettlebell Arnold Press?
Neither is universally better — both train the delts as the primary mover. The Band Y-Raise gives accommodating resistance that peaks at the top of the range, while the Kettlebell Arnold Press shifts the load off-center, adding grip and stabilizer demand. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Band Y-Raise and the Kettlebell Arnold Press in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the delts. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Band Y-Raise and the Kettlebell Arnold Press work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the delts. Supporting muscles differ slightly — traps and rhomboids for the Band Y-Raise versus triceps and upper back for the Kettlebell Arnold Press.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.