Power Clean

Instructions

1
Stand upright with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell across the upper back and shoulders with hands slightly wider than shoulder-width. Maintain an upright torso with neutral spine alignment and core engaged throughout the movement.
2
Position the barbell securely on the trapezius muscles, not on the neck. Keep chest up, shoulders back, and look straight ahead. Distribute weight evenly across both feet with heels firmly planted on the ground.
3
Lower the body by bending the hips and knees simultaneously, descending in a controlled manner until the thighs are parallel to the ground or below parallel. Keep the torso upright, knees tracking over the toes, and weight in the heels.
4
Drive through the heels and midfoot to extend the hips and knees, returning to the starting position. Maintain constant tension throughout, finishing in a fully upright posture at the top before repeating.

PRIMARY MUSCLESQuadriceps
SECONDARY MUSCLESGluteus Maximus, Hamstrings, Erector Spinae, Gastrocnemius
EQUIPMENTBarbell
DIFFICULTYIntermediate

Overview

When programming for Quadriceps growth, the Power Clean stands out as a highly efficient Strength, Cardio choice. Performing this movement with Barbell forces your stabilizer muscles to work in tandem with the primary movers, translating to functional strength and enhanced muscular endurance.

Benefits

  • Utilizes Barbell to create sustained mechanical tension, forcing deep muscle adaptation.
  • Significantly enhances the structural integrity and power of the Quadriceps.
  • Promotes balanced muscular development by effectively recruiting the Quadriceps and associated synergists.

Common Mistakes

  • Using excessive momentum to swing the Barbell rather than controlling the eccentric phase.
  • Shrugging the shoulders or compensating with secondary muscles rather than isolating the Quadriceps.
  • Failing to achieve a full range of motion, which drastically limits Quadriceps engagement.

Pro Tips

Control the eccentric (lowering) phase of the Power Clean for 3-4 seconds to drastically increase time under tension.

Exercise Variations

  • Dumbbell Power Clean
  • Cable Power Clean
  • Banded Power Clean

Beginner Tips

If you are new to the Power Clean, focus on mastering the movement pattern with zero weight before adding Barbell.

Frequently Asked Questions