Exercise Comparison
Alternating Hang Clean vs Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift




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Muscle Analysis
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Instructions
Alternating Hang Clean
Place two kettlebells between your feet. To get in the starting position, push your butt back and look straight ahead.
Clean one kettlebell to your shoulder and hold on to the other kettlebell in a hanging position. Clean the kettlebell to your shoulder by extending through the legs and hips as you pull the kettlebell towards your shoulders. Rotate your wrist as you do so.
Lower the cleaned kettlebell to a hanging position and clean the alternate kettlebell. Repeat.
Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift
To begin, set the bar on the smith machine to a height that is around the middle of your thighs. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, grasp the bar using a pronated (palms forward) grip that is shoulder width apart. You may need some wrist wraps if using a significant amount of weight.
Lift the bar up by fully extending your arms while keeping your back straight. Stand with your torso straight and your legs spaced using a shoulder width or narrower stance. The knees should be slightly bent. This is your starting position.
Keeping the knees stationary, lower the barbell to over the top of your feet by bending at the waist while keeping your back straight. Keep moving forward as if you were going to pick something from the floor until you feel a stretch on the hamstrings. Exhale as you perform this movement
Start bringing your torso up straight again as soon as you feel the hamstrings stretch by extending your hips and waist until you are back at the starting position. Inhale as you perform this movement.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the hamstrings. Alternating Hang Clean is a intermediate exercise using kettlebells, while Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift is beginner and uses machine. Choose Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Alternating Hang Clean for a greater challenge.