The main muscle group listed for this exercise.
Clean and Press
Clean and Press is an intermediate-level shoulder exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the core, legs, glutes, back, and arms.
The equipment listed for this variation.
The recorded setup and movement complexity.
Shoulders
Clean and Press also involves core, legs, glutes, back, arms.
Strength
Movement pattern: press. This is a compound exercise.
Intermediate
This level reflects the setup and movement complexity recorded for this exercise.
How to do Clean and Press
- Assume a shoulder-width stance, with knees inside the arms. Now while keeping the back flat, bend at the knees and hips so that you can grab the bar with the arms fully extended and a pronated grip that is slightly wider than shoulder width. Point the elbows out to sides. The bar should be close to the shins. Position the shoulders over or slightly ahead of the bar. Establish a flat back posture. This will be your starting position.
- Begin to pull the bar by extending the knees. Move your hips forward and raise the shoulders at the same rate while keeping the angle of the back constant; continue to lift the bar straight up while keeping it close to your body.
- As the bar passes the knee, extend at the ankles, knees, and hips forcefully, similar to a jumping motion. As you do so, continue to guide the bar with your hands, shrugging your shoulders and using the momentum from your movement to pull the bar as high as possible. The bar should travel close to your body, and you should keep your elbows out.
- At maximum elevation, your feet should clear the floor and you should start to pull yourself under the bar. The mechanics of this could change slightly, depending on the weight used. You should descend into a squatting position as you pull yourself under the bar.
- As the bar hits terminal height, rotate your elbows around and under the bar. Rack the bar across the front of the shoulders while keeping the torso erect and flexing the hips and knees to absorb the weight of the bar.
- Stand to full height, holding the bar in the clean position.
- Without moving your feet, press the bar overhead as you exhale. Lower the bar under control .
Workout templates that use this exercise.
If you want to see this movement inside a more complete training session, start here.
3-Day Full Body Split
A three-day split that spreads total weekly work across three full-body sessions.
View workout4-Day Upper Lower Split
A simple four-day split that gives each half of the body two quality sessions each week.
View workout5-Day Bodybuilding Split
A traditional five-day bodybuilding split for lifters who enjoy focusing on one or two regions per session.
View workoutMore exercises in the same lane.
Use these when you want a similar movement pattern, a different setup, or more exercise options for the same target area.
Seated Barbell Military Press
Seated Barbell Military Press is an intermediate-level shoulder exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the arms.
View exerciseStanding Barbell Press Behind Neck
Standing Barbell Press Behind Neck is an intermediate-level shoulder exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the arms.
View exerciseAnti-Gravity Press
Anti-Gravity Press is a beginner-friendly shoulder exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the back and arms.
View exerciseBradford/Rocky Presses
Bradford/Rocky Presses is a beginner-friendly shoulder exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the arms.
View exerciseRelated calculators for this exercise.
Use these calculators when you want to connect the exercise itself to calories, protein, strength targets, or training volume.
Common questions about Clean and Press.
What muscles does Clean and Press work?
Clean and Press primarily trains the shoulders and also involves the core, legs, glutes, back, and arms.
Is Clean and Press beginner-friendly?
It is listed as intermediate.
What equipment do I need for Clean and Press?
This variation uses a barbell.
Track this exercise for free in Logbook.
Once the movement is in your plan, use Logbook to record sets, reps, load, and progress without guessing what happened last week.