
Split Clean
A multi-stage pull that takes the bar from floor to shoulders: drive through the heels, extend the hips, then pull yourself under. Receive the bar with the feet split front and back.
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Olympic lifting
- Mechanic
- Compound
- Force direction
- Pull
- Muscles
- 14
Form sequence
01 · setup
With a barbell on the floor close to the shins, take an overhand 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.
02 · first pull
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.
03 · second pull · Key step
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.
04 · third pull
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.
05 · receive
Receive the bar with the feet split, aggressively moving one foot forward and one foot back. The bar should be racked onto the protracted shoulders, lightly touching the throat with the hands relaxed. Continue to descend to the bottom position, which will help in the recovery.
06 · recover
Immediately recover by driving through the heels, keeping the torso upright and elbows up. Bring the feet together as you stand up.
What's working
3D
- Quadriceps
Primary · 227 exercises
- Gastrocnemius
Secondary · 209 exercises
- Wrist & Finger Flexors
Secondary · 119 exercises
- Wrist & Finger Extensors
Secondary · 119 exercises
- Brachioradialis
Secondary · 119 exercises
- Gluteus Maximus
Secondary · 242 exercises
- Hamstrings
Secondary · 277 exercises
- Erector Spinae
Secondary · 131 exercises
- Anterior Deltoid
Secondary · 338 exercises
- Lateral Deltoid
Secondary · 338 exercises
- Posterior Deltoid
Secondary · 338 exercises
- Upper Trapezius
Secondary · 99 exercises
- Middle Trapezius
Secondary · 164 exercises
- Lower Trapezius
Secondary · 99 exercises
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