Circus Bell
An advanced compound strongman exercise that works the shoulders.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Circus Bell
- The circus bell is an oversized dumbbell with a thick handle. Begin with the dumbbell between your feet, and grip the handle with both hands.
- Clean the dumbbell by extending through your hips and knees to deliver the implement to the desired shoulder, letting go with the extra hand.
- Ensure that you get one of the dumbbell heads behind the shoulder to keep from being thrown off balance. To raise it overhead, dip by flexing the knees, and the drive upwards as you extend the dumbbell overhead, leaning slightly away from it as you do so.
- Carefully guide the bell back to the floor, keeping it under control as much as possible. It is best to perform this event on a thick rubber mat to prevent damage to the floor.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Circus Bell
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Log Lift
An intermediate compound strongman exercise that works the shoulders.
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2
Clean and Jerk
An advanced compound Olympic weightlifting exercise that works the shoulders, using a barbell.
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3
One-Arm Kettlebell Snatch
An advanced compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a kettlebell.
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4
Crucifix
A beginner isolation strongman exercise that works the shoulders.
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5
Double Kettlebell Snatch
An advanced compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a kettlebell.
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6
Handstand Push-Ups
An advanced compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, needing no equipment.
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7
One-Arm Kettlebell Split Snatch
An advanced compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a kettlebell.
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8
Two-Arm Kettlebell Clean
An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a kettlebell.
-
9
Clean and Press
An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a barbell.
-
10
Jerk Balance
An intermediate compound Olympic weightlifting exercise that works the shoulders, using a barbell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do circus bell work?
Circus Bell primarily works the shoulders. The forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, traps and triceps assist as secondary muscles.
What equipment do I need for circus bell?
The source dataset does not record equipment for circus bell. Check the instructions above before you set up.
Circus Bell: is it suitable for beginners?
Circus Bell is rated advanced. High skill or high load. Worth earning rather than starting with.
What can I do instead of circus bell?
Log Lift, Clean and Jerk, One-Arm Kettlebell Snatch train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my circus bell reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; circus bell can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Circus Bell with AI
Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.