Clean
The Clean is a intermediate compound movement that activates 8 muscle groups simultaneously. It primarily targets the Hamstrings, making it one of the more efficient exercises in RepStack's 873-exercise database.
Starting position
Ending position
Muscles Worked
The hamstrings handles the primary load during this movement. The calves and forearms and glutes and lower back and quadriceps and shoulders and traps assist as stabilizers throughout the range of motion.
How to Clean
- 1
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.
- 2
- 3
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.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
Immediately recover by driving through the heels, keeping the torso upright and elbows up. Continue until you have risen to a standing position.
Common Mistakes
- • Brace your core before initiating the movement — maintain tension throughout the entire range of motion.
- • Control the eccentric (lowering) phase for at least 2 seconds to maximize muscle fiber recruitment.
- • Grip the bar evenly on both sides — even a small offset shifts the load asymmetrically.
- • Keep the bar path as vertical as possible over your base of support.
- • Squeeze at peak contraction for a full second — this is where most of the growth stimulus occurs.
Similar Exercises
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles does the Clean work?
The Clean primarily works the Hamstrings. Secondary muscles include the Calves, Forearms, Glutes, Lower Back, Quadriceps, Shoulders, Traps, which assist during the movement.
Is the Clean good for beginners?
The Clean is rated intermediate. Beginners should build foundational strength with simpler movements first, then progress to this exercise once comfortable with the movement pattern.
What equipment do I need for the Clean?
You need barbell to perform the Clean. Most commercial gyms will have this available.
Track Your Progress
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