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Hang Clean - Below the Knees

Hang Clean - Below the Knees is a compound olympic weightlifting movement working the quads with the calves, forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, shoulders, and traps assisting, 8 muscle groups in all. Rated intermediate; needs a barbell. 147 of the other 872 exercises here hit the same primary muscle, closest being Mountain Climbers.

Barbell intermediate olympic weightlifting compound pull
Hang Clean - Below the Knees — starting position, working the quadsHang Clean - Below the Knees — end position, working the quads

How to do the Hang Clean - Below the Knees

  1. Begin with a shoulder width, double overhand or hook grip, with the bar hanging just below the knees. Your back should be straight and inclined slightly forward.
  2. Begin by aggressively extending through the hips, knees and ankles, driving the weight upward. As you do so, shrug your shoulders towards your ears. As full extension is achieved, transition into the third pull by aggressively shrugging and flexing the arms with the elbows up and out.
  3. 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.
  4. Immediately recover by driving through the heels, keeping the torso upright and elbows up. Continue until you have risen to a standing position.

Muscles worked

RoleMuscles
Primary quads
Secondary calves, forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, shoulders, traps
Equipmentbarbell
Difficultyintermediate
Type compound

No barbell? Train the same muscles with these

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Easier than the Hang Clean - Below the Knees

Same movement pattern, lower entry difficulty — work up from here.

Harder than the Hang Clean - Below the Knees

Common questions

What muscles does the Hang Clean - Below the Knees work?

The Hang Clean - Below the Knees primarily works the quads, with the calves, forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, shoulders, and traps as secondary movers. Hang Clean, Power Snatch from Blocks, and Snatch from Blocks train the same muscle, across 9 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Hang Clean - Below the Knees?

A Barbell. Without a barbell, Mountain Climbers, Star Jump, and Squats - With Bands train the same muscle, and 27 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Hang Clean - Below the Knees suitable for beginners?

It is rated intermediate. Start with Sandbag Load, Backward Drag, and Cable Deadlifts and work up.

Where should the Hang Clean - Below the Knees go in a workout?

Early — the Hang Clean - Below the Knees is compound, working 8 muscle groups, so run it first or second while you are fresh.

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