A question about cleans.

Jacob Tsypkin · 02-10-2006, 12:53 AM

When performing cleans, do you drop into a full squat, or simply drop low enough to catch the bar?

Simple enough, but I'm not completely clear. Thanks.

Allen Yeh · 02-10-2006, 06:35 AM

When the weight is lighter it is tempting to just clean the bar up and drop into a squat but once the weight proceeds to get heavier you are really squatting to catch the bar so you don't have to pull it up as high.

Jacob Tsypkin · 02-10-2006, 07:11 PM

Sorry, a little confused...does this mean I should or should not drop into a full squat?

Mike Burgener · 02-11-2006, 08:08 AM

meet the bar then go down on all cleans. learn this from the get go and you will not have a problem with the bar crashing on you.

Mike Rosenberg · 02-11-2006, 08:08 AM

Depends on your objective. Catching the bar above parallel = power clean, below = squat clean.

The body was designed to operate over the full range of motion - go for the squat clean. Even if you power clean it, descend into the full squat to operate over the full range of motion and to teach your body what it will need to do if you are moving heavy weights. Muscle memory!!

Greg Kemp · 02-11-2006, 08:35 AM

With the Clean you are trying to push yourself under the bar after full extention. Like was said above with lighter weight you will end up with a 3/4 squat and will finish the drop to the bottom. As you progress to heavier weights the drop to the bottom of the squat will happen more naturally.

Check out the videos at www.mikesgym.org for what it looks like. They also have frame by frame picutures in the pics gallery.

Jacob Tsypkin · 02-11-2006, 08:51 AM

Thanks very much all.

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02-10-2006, 12:53 AM	#1
Jacob Tsypkin Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monterey CA Posts: 311	When performing cleans, do you drop into a full squat, or simply drop low enough to catch the bar? Simple enough, but I'm not completely clear. Thanks.

02-10-2006, 06:35 AM	#2
Allen Yeh Member Profile: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: reston va Posts: 768	When the weight is lighter it is tempting to just clean the bar up and drop into a squat but once the weight proceeds to get heavier you are really squatting to catch the bar so you don't have to pull it up as high.

02-10-2006, 07:11 PM	#3
Jacob Tsypkin Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monterey CA Posts: 311	Sorry, a little confused...does this mean I should or should not drop into a full squat?

02-11-2006, 08:08 AM	#4
Mike Burgener Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bonsall ca Posts: 629	meet the bar then go down on all cleans. learn this from the get go and you will not have a problem with the bar crashing on you.

02-11-2006, 08:08 AM	#5
Mike Rosenberg Member Profile: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Granger IN Posts: 75	Depends on your objective. Catching the bar above parallel = power clean, below = squat clean. The body was designed to operate over the full range of motion - go for the squat clean. Even if you power clean it, descend into the full squat to operate over the full range of motion and to teach your body what it will need to do if you are moving heavy weights. Muscle memory!!

02-11-2006, 08:35 AM	#6
Greg Kemp Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Yorba Linda CA Posts: 108	With the Clean you are trying to push yourself under the bar after full extention. Like was said above with lighter weight you will end up with a 3/4 squat and will finish the drop to the bottom. As you progress to heavier weights the drop to the bottom of the squat will happen more naturally. Check out the videos at www.mikesgym.org for what it looks like. They also have frame by frame picutures in the pics gallery.

02-11-2006, 08:51 AM	#7
Jacob Tsypkin Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monterey CA Posts: 311	Thanks very much all.