Legs
The main area this variation is designed to train.
Exercise guide
Power Clean
Learn how to do the Power Clean exercise, which muscles it works, the equipment you need, and common mistakes to avoid.
Barbell
Use this to decide whether the movement fits your current setup.
Intermediate
A quick checkpoint for how simple or technical the movement usually feels.
Legs
Secondary support can come from Arms, Glutes, Back, Shoulders.
Strength
Movement pattern: general. This is a compound exercise.
Learning and repeating well
Use this page to understand the setup first, then track the movement consistently in Logbook once it fits your program.
Instructions
How to do Power Clean
Keep the setup simple, use a controlled pace, and repeat the same movement pattern each rep.
- Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart and toes pointing out slightly.
- Squat down and grasp bar with a closed, pronated grip. Your hands should be slightly wider than shoulder width apart outside knees with elbows fully extended.
- Place the bar about 1 inch in front of your shins and over the balls of your feet.
- Your back should be flat or slightly arched, your chest held up and out and your shoulder blades should be retracted.
- Keep your head in a neutral position (in line with vertebral column and not tilted or rotated) with your eyes focused straight ahead. Inhale during this phase.
- Lift the bar from the floor by forcefully extending the hips and the knees as you exhale. Tip: The upper torso should maintain the same angle. Do not bend at the waist yet and do not let the hips rise before the shoulders (this would have the effect of pushing the glutes in the air and stretching the hamstrings.
- Keep elbows fully extended with the head in a neutral position and the shoulders over the bar.
- As the bar raises keep it as close to the shins as possible.
- As the bar passes the knees, thrust your hips forward and slightly bend the knees to avoid locking them. Tip: At this point your thighs should be against the bar.
- Keep the back flat or slightly arched, elbows fully extended and your head neutral. Tip: You will hold your breath until the next phase.
- Inhale and then forcefully and quickly extend your hips and knees and stand on your toes.
- Keep the bar as close to your body as possible. Tip: Your back should be flat with the elbows pointed out to the sides and your head in a neutral position. Also, keep your shoulders over the bar and arms straight as long as possible.
- When your lower body joints are fully extended, shrug the shoulders upward rapidly without letting the elbows flex yet. Exhale during this portion of the movement.
- As the shoulders reach their highest elevation flex your elbows to begin pulling your body under the bar.
- Continue to pull the arms as high and as long as possible. Tip: Due to the explosive nature of this phase, your torso will be erect or with an arched back, your head will be tilted back slightly and your feet may lose contact with the floor.
- After the lower body has fully extended and the bar reaches near maximal height, pull your body under the bar and rotate the arms around and under the bar.
- Simultaneously, flex the hips and knees into a quarter squat position.
- Once the arms are under the bar, inhale and then lift your elbows to position the upper arms parallel to the floor. Rack the bar across the front of your collar bones and front shoulder muscles.
- Catch the bar with an erect and tight torso, a neutral head position and flat feet. Exhale during this movement.
- Stand up by extending the hips and knees to a fully erect position.
- Lower the bar by gradually reducing the muscular tension of the arms to allow a controlled descent of the bar to the thighs. Inhale during this movement.
- Simultaneously flex the hips and knees to cushion the impact of the bar on the thighs.
- Squat down with the elbows fully extended until the bar touches the floor.
- Start over at Phase 1 and repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Benefits
- Builds strength and control through the legs region.
- Trains multiple joints at once, which can make your sessions more efficient.
- Gives you a repeatable way to track progress inside Logbook over time.
Common mistakes
- Using more weight or speed than you can control cleanly.
- Cutting the range of motion short and rushing through the reps.
- Changing your body position between reps instead of keeping the movement repeatable.
Related workouts
Workout templates that use this exercise.
If you want to see this movement inside a more complete training session, start here.
3-Day Full Body Split
A three-day split that spreads total weekly work across three full-body sessions.
View workout4-Day Upper Lower Split
A simple four-day split that gives each half of the body two quality sessions each week.
View workout5-Day Bodybuilding Split
A traditional five-day bodybuilding split for lifters who enjoy focusing on one or two regions per session.
View workoutBeginner Strength Program
A simple strength-first plan that keeps the exercise menu small enough to progress consistently.
View workoutRelated exercises
More exercises in the same lane.
Use these when you want a similar movement pattern, a different setup, or more exercise options for the same target area.
Barbell Full Squat
Barbell Full Squat is a intermediate strength that mainly trains your legs using barbell.
View exerciseBarbell Hack Squat
Barbell Hack Squat is a intermediate strength that mainly trains your legs using barbell.
View exerciseBarbell Lunge
Barbell Lunge is a intermediate strength that mainly trains your legs using barbell.
View exerciseBarbell Step Ups
Barbell Step Ups is a intermediate strength that mainly trains your legs using barbell.
View exerciseFAQ
Common questions about Power Clean.
Use these answers as a practical starting point, then adjust based on your setup, comfort, and goals.
What muscles does Power Clean work?
Power Clean mainly works the legs. It can also involve arms, glutes, back, shoulders depending on your setup and range of motion.
Is Power Clean beginner-friendly?
It is listed as intermediate, so newer lifters may want to start lighter or use a simpler variation first.
What equipment do I need for Power Clean?
You will usually need Barbell for this variation.
How should I progress Power Clean?
Start by making the reps smoother and more repeatable. Once the whole set looks controlled, add a small amount of load or one extra rep at a time.
Track this exercise for free in Logbook.
Once the movement is in your plan, use Logbook to record sets, reps, load, and progress without guessing what happened last week.
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