Here are 3 effective shoulder stability exercises. Physical therapist and personal trainers make clients perform circus tricks on unstable surfaces to challenge their balance and call it stability training. True stability exercises include movement and a heavier load, something you can’t do on an unstable surface. These are a much better option.

These are more advance exercises for shoulder stability. Master these body weight stability exercises first.

Three Kettlebell Shoulder Stability Exercises

Kettlebell Windmill
Turkish Get Up
Kettlebell Snatch

#1 Kettlebell Windmill

This is a great shoulder stability exercise because it combines the entire body. The shoulder joint is MOVED between 2 positions, increasing its effectiveness.

I perform low reps (3-5) and moderately heavy weights, moving slow and controlled.

My favorite way to do these

Walk into the gym
Immediately perform 3 sets of 5/side with a moderately heavy bell
Continue with your regularly scheduled program

Try to progress to a heavier bell each week. You can increase weight each set as well.

A progression of these would be a kettlebell side press and bent press.

#2 Turkish Get Up (TGU)

The get up is a full body movement and the shoulder is challenged in multiple angles. The challenge is compounded by the single leg requirement. And there’s really no limit to how much it can be loaded.

It’s THE BEST shoulder stability exercise.

There are actually 14(‼️) steps to an RKC Hardstle TGU. That seems excessive but its important as the weight gets heavier. A heavy bell in 1 hand requires a high level of focus. The steps serve as check marks to maintain that focus.

I do singles with a TGU

2-3 sets of 1/side of my heaviest weights
1 reps every minute (EMOM) for a set time, alternating hands each minute

#3 Kettlebell Snatch

Most shoulder stability exercises compress the shoulder joint. The snatch is the opposite since you have to stop the bell mid swing at the TOP and BOTTOM of the movement.

Traction (opposite of compression) is an often overlooked aspect of shoulder stability.

You also get a great conditioning affect based on the HR response, which makes it great for interval training.

Other Benefits

HEAVY load
HIGH intensity
TRACTION at the shoulder
FULL body

I perform these as an EMOM with 10-20 reps every 1-2 minutes, depending on where I am in my training cycle.

Here is the program I developed to prepare for my RKC Snatch Test

	Session A (volume)	Session B (intensity)
Week 1	15x every 2:00 x 4 20kg	15x every 2:00 x 4 24kg
Week 2	15x every 2:00 x 5 20kg	15x every 2:00 x 5 24kg
Week 3	15x every 2:00 x 6 20kg	15x every 2:00 x 6 24kg
Week 4	15x every 1:30 x 6 20kg	15x every 2 x 1:30 6 24kg
Week 5	15x every 1:15 x 6 20kg	15x every 2 x 1:15 6 24kg
Week 6	15x every 1:00 x 6 20kg	15x every 2 x 1:00 4 24kg
Week 7	Test 5:00 snatch test

lighter KB on volume days

What are Shoulder Stability Exercises?

Stability is often confused for balance, the difference is explained below. Main take away

balance = standing still; stability = moving

Before we go further lets address stability vs balance.

Balance refers to the ability to maintain the control of the body in a still position

Stability refers to the ability to maintain the control of the body while in motion.
— BowTied Kobra, Rehab Guy (@bowtiedkobra) December 24, 2022

The only time we do any static balance is in the very acute stages of an ankle sprain. Even then, as soon as you can tolerate more dynamic exercises, we stop doing it.

Stability Exercise Summary

These 3 kettlebell exercises are great for stability because they involve MOVEMENT and can be loaded HEAVY.

They a great compliment to our Complete Shoulder Rehab Program. This is the same program we’ve used for grandmas, fighter pilots, and high school kids to restore confidence and reduce shoulder pain.