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Exercise Comparison

Ball Leg Curl vs Power Snatch

Ball Leg Curl - starting position
Ball Leg Curl - ending position
Ball Leg Curl
beginner·Exercise ball·isolation
Power Snatch - starting position
Power Snatch - ending position
Power Snatch
expert·Barbell·compound

Side-by-Side

Ball Leg Curl
VS
Power Snatch
beginner
Level
expert
Exercise ball
Equipment
Barbell
isolation
Mechanic
compound
pull
Force
pull
Strength
Category
Olympic Weightlifting
hamstrings
Primary
hamstrings
calvesglutes
Secondary
calvesgluteslower backquadricepsshoulderstrapstriceps

Muscle Analysis

Shared

hamstringscalvesglutes

Only in Power Snatch

lower backquadricepsshoulderstrapstriceps

Instructions

Ball Leg Curl

1

Begin on the floor laying on your back with your feet on top of the ball.

2

Position the ball so that when your legs are extended your ankles are on top of the ball. This will be your starting position.

3

Raise your hips off of the ground, keeping your weight on the shoulder blades and your feet.

4

Flex the knees, pulling the ball as close to you as you can, contracting the hamstrings.

5

After a brief pause, return to the starting position.

Power Snatch

1

Begin with a loaded barbell on the floor. The bar should be close to or touching the shins, and a wide grip should be taken on the bar. The feet should be directly below the hips, with the feet turned out as needed. Lower the hips, with the chest up and the head looking forward. The shoulders should be just in front of the bar. This will be the starting position.

2

Begin the first pull by driving through the front of the heels, raising the bar from the ground. The back angle should stay the same until the bar passes the knees.

3

Transition into the second pull by extending through the hips knees and ankles, driving the bar up as quickly as possible. The bar should be close to the body. At peak extension, shrug the shoulders and allow the elbows to flex to the side.

4

As you move your feet into the receiving position, a slightly wider position, pull yourself below the bar as you elevate the bar overhead. The bar should be received in a partial squat. Continue raising the bar to the overhead position, receiving the bar locked out overhead.

5

Return to a standing position with the weight over head.

Verdict

Both exercises target the hamstrings. Ball Leg Curl is a beginner exercise using exercise ball, while Power Snatch is expert and uses barbell. Choose Ball Leg Curl if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Power Snatch for a greater challenge. Power Snatch is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Ball Leg Curl isolates the target muscle for focused development.

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