Exercise guide

Clean & Jerk.

Equipment
Barbell
Movement
Compound
Level
Intermediate

Muscles at work

Front
Back
PrimaryQuads
SecondaryAbs, Adductors, Biceps, Calves, Forearms, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lats, Lower Back, Shoulders, Traps, Triceps, Upper Back

Make every rep count.

  1. 01

    Start setup: Place the bar over the “knot” of your shoelaces (close, but not scraping your shins). Feet about shoulder-width with toes slightly out. Grip the bar just outside shoulder width.

  2. 02

    Get tight: Hips down, chest proud, eyes forward. Brace your core and keep your back flat.

  3. 03

    ### Clean

  4. 04

    First pull: Push the floor away and keep the bar tight to your legs. As the bar rises, let your knees shift back to clear the path.

  5. 05

    Power position: Once the bar passes the knees, bring the knees forward slightly and get your torso more upright.

  6. 06

    Explode: Jump straight up and shrug hard (don’t loop the bar away from you).

  7. 07

    Pull under + rack: As the bar reaches shoulder height, whip the elbows around and through fast so they point forward.

  8. 08

    Catch: Drop into a squat and catch the bar on your shoulders in a solid front rack (bar on the delts, elbows up, hands outside shoulders).

  9. 09

    Stand: Drive up by extending hips and knees until fully tall.

  10. 10

    ### Jerk

  11. 11

    Prep: Adjust your grip if needed. Bring elbows down to about 45° while keeping the bar supported.

  12. 12

    Dip: A short, vertical dip by bending the knees (torso stays upright; heels down).

  13. 13

    Drive + split: Explode straight up and punch the bar overhead. As the bar is still rising, split your legs and drop under to catch with elbows locked.

  14. 14

    Recover: Step the front foot back slightly, then the back foot forward, finishing with feet together under the bar.

  15. 15

    Finish safely: Lower or drop the bar from overhead in a controlled way (make sure the area is clear).

  16. 16

    Repeat for reps.

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