Clean Pull

intermediatebarbell·compound·pull

Muscles Worked

Primary

rectus femoris vastus intermedius vastus lateralis vastus medialis

Secondary

Abductor digiti minimi of left hand Abductor digiti minimi of right hand abductor pollicis brevis abductor pollicis longus adductor pollicis brachioradialis extensor carpi radialis brevis extensor carpi radialis longus extensor carpi ulnaris extensor digiti minimi extensor digitorum extensor indicis extensor pollicis brevis extensor pollicis longus flexor carpi radialis Flexor digiti minimi brevis of left hand Flexor digiti minimi brevis of right hand flexor digitorum longus flexor digitorum profundus flexor digitorum superficialis flexor pollicis brevis flexor pollicis longus Flexor retinaculum of left wrist Flexor retinaculum of right wrist Humeral head of left flexor carpi ulnaris Humeral head of left pronator teres Humeral head of right flexor carpi ulnaris Humeral head of right pronator teres Opponens digiti minimi of left foot Opponens digiti minimi of left hand Opponens digiti minimi of right foot Opponens digiti minimi of right hand opponens pollicis palmaris longus pronator quadratus Set of dorsal interossei of left hand Set of dorsal interossei of right hand Set of lumbricals of left hand Set of lumbricals of right hand Set of palmar interossei of left hand Set of palmar interossei of right hand supinator Third lumbrical of left foot Third lumbrical of right foot Ulnar head of left flexor carpi ulnaris Ulnar head of left pronator teres Ulnar head of right flexor carpi ulnaris Ulnar head of right pronator teres gemellus inferior gemellus superior gluteus maximus gluteus medius gluteus minimus piriformis quadratus femoris biceps femoris gracilis popliteus semimembranosus semitendinosus iliococcygeus iliocostalis lumborum longissimus thoracis lumbar rotator semispinalis thoracis serratus posterior inferior Set of interspinales lumborum Spinalis Tendinous arch of levator ani Ascending part of left trapezius Ascending part of right trapezius Descending part of left trapezius Descending part of right trapezius levator scapulae trapezius

How to Perform

With a barbell on the floor close to the shins, take an overhand or hook grip just outside the legs. Lower your hips with the weight focused on the heels, back straight, head facing forward, chest up, with your shoulders just in front of the bar. This will be your starting position.

Begin the first pull by driving through the heels, extending your knees. Your back angle should stay the same, and your arms should remain straight and elbows out. Move the weight with control as you continue to above the knees.

Next comes the second pull, the main source of acceleration for the clean. As the bar approaches the mid-thigh position, begin extending through the hips. In a jumping motion, accelerate by extending the hips, knees, and ankles, using speed to move the bar upward. There should be no need to actively pull through the arms to accelerate the weight; at the end of the second pull, the body should be fully extended, leaning slightly back, with the arms still extended. Full extension should be violent and abrupt, and ensure that you do not prolong the extension for longer than necessary.