power clean is a free weights exercise that primarily targets the hamstrings and to a lesser degree also targets the biceps, calves, forearms, glutes, hip flexors, lats, lower back, middle back, neck, quads, shoulders, traps and triceps ...more
power clean is a free weights exercise that primarily targets the hamstrings and to a lesser degree also targets the biceps, calves, forearms, glutes, hip flexors, lats, lower back, middle back, neck, quads, shoulders, traps and triceps.
The only power clean equipment that you really need is the following: barbell. There are however many different power clean variations that you can try out that may require different types of power clean equipment or may even require no equipment at all.
Learning proper power clean form is easy with the step by step power clean instructions, power clean tips, and the instructional power clean technique video on this page. power clean is a exercise for those with a expert level of physical fitness and exercise experience. Watch the power clean video, learn how to do the power clean, and then be sure and browse through the power clean workouts on our workout plans page!
The power clean's benefits are many. I know that a lot of people have their favorite of the big Olympic compound movement style lifts and they usually will say that their favorite is the squat or the deadlift, and, while I like both of those lifts for sure, there is something about the explosiveness of the power clean exercise that I just love. Yes, you can rip the bar off the ground with a deadlift but the range of motion is so much smaller than the ROM for a power clean that it just doesn't feel as satisfying to me.
Snatches, power snatches, etc. are a similar power type of feeling, but the power clean, for me anyway, is a movement that is not nearly as technically challenging as snatch type movements and still has just as much of that same explosiveness. BTW, as far as power clean technique goes, the demonstration video above is awesome (and it should be; because the people performing the lift in the video are both Olympic athletes from the WeightTraining.com & Team USA partnership - so, definitely very helpful for me since I've never had official coaching from someone who is Olympic certifications - although, now that the power clean is being used in a lot of CrossFit or CF style workouts then it's definitely becoming better coached).
Anyway, the power clean is a staple in my workouts and I would highly encourage you to give it a try (and I just set a new power clean record (that is, a persoonal record, since an Olympic athlete would laugh at this lol) with a PR of 250 lbs so I'm happy). Now off to try and get to 300 lbs!