Power Clean -vs- Squat Clean (Knees)

[Wade Smith]

After a couple warmup Power Cleans today, I decided to sub with the full Squat Cleans. Something about dropping deep for the weight seemed to (1) feel better on knee(s) and (2) it seemed logically consistant with the argument for engaging the entire posterior chain in deep squats to strengthen and protect the knee. Also, honestly, I was more comfortable going deep with the squat cleans.

Was my thinking correct or incorrect? Thanks in advance for your answer.

[Steven Low]

I don't know about feel better on the knee.. it's possible although both are relatively rough (impact wise) compared to other things. A power clean landing in comparison to something would be like a depth drop and I guess a clean would be like a quicker squat. The former is probably a slightly more impact movement than the latter although both do engage posterior chain to stop the load (the former just in less time than the latter). I wouldn't say it's overwhelming or anything though. If you have flexibility problems or technique or whatever it might be worse going for the full squat as opposed to the power.

[Steven Rogers]

It may be the arthritis, but I find power cleans easier on the knees than squat cleans.

[Wade Smith]

Ok. Interesting.

I know I at least need to re-read the chapter on Power Cleans in Starting Strength. Still, I wonder why I instinctively (or instinctually) felt more confident dropping under the bar for the full squat clean.

[Steven Low]

Originally Posted by Wade Smith

Ok. Interesting.

I know I at least need to re-read the chapter on Power Cleans in Starting Strength. Still, I wonder why I instinctively (or instinctually) felt more confident dropping under the bar for the full squat clean.

Consider yourself lucky. Most people are scared of trying to go under the bar with heavy weights (like myself).

[Derek Maffett]

That's how I am with the heavier weights, too. I need to practice that more.

[Andrew Breyer]

In the past I had always considered power cleans the way people clean when they haven't been trained to do a "real" full clean. Although, today I gave them a chance and it wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. I focused on bending my knees as little as possible (although still a little), and ended up getting up to a 185 max for 3. The "power" behind them is much different. It seemed to tax my lower back much more than full cleans do.