The main muscle group listed for this exercise.
Clean
Clean is an intermediate-level leg exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the arms, glutes, back, and shoulders.
The equipment listed for this variation.
The recorded setup and movement complexity.
Legs
Clean also involves arms, glutes, back, shoulders.
Olympic weightlifting
Movement pattern: general. This is a compound exercise.
Intermediate
This level reflects the setup and movement complexity recorded for this exercise.
How to do Clean
- 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. 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.
- As full extension is achieved, transition into the third pull by aggressively shrugging and flexing the arms with the elbows up and out. At peak extension, aggressively pull yourself down, rotating your elbows under the bar as you do so. Receive the bar in a front squat position, the depth of which is dependent upon the height of the bar at the end of the third pull. The bar should be racked onto the protracted shoulders, lightly touching the throat with the hands relaxed. Continue to descend to the bottom squat position, which will help in the recovery.
- Immediately recover by driving through the heels, keeping the torso upright and elbows up. Continue until you have risen to a standing position.
Variations
Alternatives
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.
Barbell Step Ups
Barbell Step Ups is an intermediate-level leg exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the glutes.
View exerciseClean from Blocks
Clean from Blocks is an intermediate-level leg exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the glutes, shoulders, and back.
View exerciseClean Pull
Clean Pull is an intermediate-level leg exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the arms, glutes, and back.
View exerciseHang Clean
Hang Clean is an intermediate-level leg exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the arms, glutes, back, and shoulders.
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.
What muscles does Clean work?
Clean primarily trains the legs and also involves the arms, glutes, back, and shoulders.
Is Clean beginner-friendly?
It is listed as intermediate.
What equipment do I need for Clean?
This variation uses a barbell.
Track this exercise for free in Logbook.
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