Power Jerk
Power Jerk is an expert compound barbell olympic weightlifting that mainly works your quads, with help from your abs, calves, glutes, hamstrings, shoulders and triceps.


How to do the power jerk
- Standing with the weight racked on the front of the shoulders, begin with the dip. With your feet directly under your hips, flex the knees without moving the hips backward. Go down only slightly, and reverse direction as powerfully as possible.
- Drive through the heels create as much speed and force as possible, and be sure to move your head out of the way as the bar leaves the shoulders.
- At this moment as the feet leave the floor, the feet must be placed into the receiving position as quickly as possible. In the brief moment the feet are not actively driving against the platform, the athletes effort to push the bar up will drive them down. The feet should be moved to a slightly wider stance, with the knees partially bent.
- Receive the bar with the arms locked out overhead.
- Return 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.
Track your power jerk with GymPlan AI
Log every set in seconds, see your progress on charts, and ask the AI coach to build a plan around your goals and equipment. 7 days free, no card needed.
Start your free trialPower Jerk 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 power jerk work?
It mainly works your quads; your abs, calves, glutes, hamstrings, shoulders and triceps assist.
How many sets and reps of power jerk 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 power jerk good for beginners?
It is an advanced movement. Build a base with simpler exercises for the same muscles first, and learn it with light weight or a coach.