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Split Snatch

Split Snatch is an expert compound barbell olympic weightlifting that mainly works your hamstrings, with help from your calves, forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, quads, shoulders, traps and triceps.

💪 Hamstrings🏋️ Barbell📈 Expert🔗 Compound🎯 3-5 sets of 5-10 reps
Split Snatch: starting position
Starting position
Split Snatch: end position
End position

How to do the split snatch

  1. Begin with a loaded barbell on the floor. The bar should be close to or touching the shins, and a wide grip should be taken on the bar. The feet should be directly below the hips, with the feet turned out as needed. Lower the hips, with the chest up and the head looking forward. The shoulders should be just in front of the bar. This will be the starting position.
  2. Begin the first pull by driving through the front of the heels, raising the bar from the ground. The back angle should stay the same until the bar passes the knees.
  3. Transition into the second pull by extending through the hips knees and ankles, driving the bar up as quickly as possible. The bar should be close to the body. At peak extension, shrug the shoulders and allow the elbows to flex to the side.
  4. As you move your feet into the receiving position, forcefully pull yourself below the bar as you elevate the bar overhead. The feet should move forcefully to a split position, one foot forward one foot back. Receive the bar with your body as low as possible and the arms fully extended overhead.
  5. Keeping the bar aligned over the front of the heels, your head and chest up, drive through heels of the feet to move to a standing position, bringing your feet together.
  6. Carefully return the weight to floor.

Muscles worked

Primary: HamstringsSecondary: CalvesSecondary: ForearmsSecondary: GlutesSecondary: HamstringsSecondary: Lower backSecondary: QuadsSecondary: ShouldersSecondary: TrapsSecondary: Triceps

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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Split Snatch alternatives

Exercises that train the same main muscle.

CleanBarbell · IntermediateClean DeadliftBarbell · BeginnerMuscle SnatchBarbell · IntermediateSnatch DeadliftBarbell · IntermediatePower Clean from BlocksBarbell · IntermediateRomanian Deadlift from DeficitBarbell · Intermediate

FAQ

What muscles does the split snatch work?

It mainly works your hamstrings; your calves, forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, quads, shoulders, traps and triceps assist.

How many sets and reps of split snatch 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 split snatch 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.

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