Hang Clean - Below the Knees
Hang Clean - Below the Knees is an intermediate compound barbell olympic weightlifting that mainly works your quads, with help from your calves, forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, shoulders and traps.


How to do the hang clean - below the knees
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Sets and reps
For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.
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Start your free trialHang Clean - Below the Knees alternatives
Exercises that train the same main muscle.
SnatchBarbell · Intermediate
Clean PullBarbell · Intermediate
Frankenstein SquatBarbell · Intermediate
Hang CleanBarbell · Intermediate
Olympic SquatBarbell · Intermediate
Snatch BalanceBarbell · IntermediateFAQ
What muscles does the hang clean - below the knees work?
It mainly works your quads; your calves, forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, shoulders and traps assist.
How many sets and reps of hang clean - below the knees should I do?
For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.
Is the hang clean - below the knees good for beginners?
It suits lifters with some experience. Beginners can start with a lighter weight or one of the alternatives below.