Legs
The main muscle group listed for this exercise.
Exercise guide
Snatch
Snatch is an intermediate-level leg exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the arms, glutes, back, and shoulders.
Barbell
The equipment listed for this variation.
Intermediate
The recorded setup and movement complexity.
Legs
Snatch 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.
Instructions
How to do Snatch
- Place your feet at a shoulder width stance with the barbell resting right above the connection between the toes and the rest of the foot.
- With a palms facing down grip, bend at the knees and keeping the back flat grab the bar using a wider than shoulder width grip. Bring the hips down and make sure that your body drops as if you were going to sit on a chair. This will be your starting position.
- Start pushing the floor as if it were a moving platform with your feet and simultaneously start lifting the barbell keeping it close to your legs.
- As the bar reaches the middle of your thighs, push the floor with your legs and lift your body to a complete extension in an explosive motion.
- Lift your shoulders back in a shrugging movement as you bring the bar up while lifting your elbows out to the side and keeping them above the bar for as long as possible.
- Now in a very quick but powerful motion, you have to get your body under the barbell when it has reached a high enough point where it can be controlled and drop while locking your arms and holding the barbell overhead as you assume a squat position.
- Finalize the movement by rising up out of the squat position to finish the lift. At the end of the lift both feet should be on line and the arms fully extended holding the barbell overhead.
Variations
Alternatives
Related workouts
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 workoutRelated exercises
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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
Clean is an intermediate-level leg exercise performed with a barbell. It also involves the arms, glutes, back, and shoulders.
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 exerciseRelated tools
Related calculators for this exercise.
Use these calculators when you want to connect the exercise itself to calories, protein, strength targets, or training volume.
FAQ
Common questions about Snatch.
What muscles does Snatch work?
Snatch primarily trains the legs and also involves the arms, glutes, back, and shoulders.
Is Snatch beginner-friendly?
It is listed as intermediate.
What equipment do I need for Snatch?
This variation uses a barbell.
Track this exercise for free in Logbook.
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