Double Kettlebell Alternating Hang Clean — start position
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Double Kettlebell Alternating Hang Clean — end position
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Legs / Intermediate / Compound (multi-joint)

Double Kettlebell Alternating Hang Clean

A kettlebell explosive exercise for the hamstrings, with the biceps, calves and forearms assisting.

At a glance

Primary
Hamstrings
Secondary
Biceps, Calves, Forearms & grip, Glutes, Lower back (erectors), Quads, Upper traps
Equipment
Kettlebell
Movement pattern
Hip hinge
Level
Intermediate
Type
Legs, Compound (multi-joint), One side at a time, Explosive

Loads the lower back, wrist. Use a load you can control and skip it if it causes pain.

How to do it

  1. Place two kettlebells between your feet. To get in the starting position, push your butt back and look straight ahead.
  2. Clean one kettlebell to your shoulder and hold on to the other kettlebell.
  3. With a fluid motion, lower the top kettlebell while driving the bottom kettlebell up.

Common mistakes

  • ✗ Swinging the bell out and letting it crash onto the forearm.

    Why it hurts: The impact bruises the wrist and forearm.

    ✓ Instead: Keep the elbow close, pull the bell in a tight path and rotate the hand around the handle.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps — secondary (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps — secondary (Front)Forearms & grip — secondary (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads — secondary (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves — secondary (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps — secondary (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) — secondary (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip — secondary (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes — secondary (Back)Hamstrings — primary (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves — secondary (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Hamstrings
  • Secondary: Biceps, Calves, Forearms & grip, Glutes, Lower back (erectors), Quads, Upper traps

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (github.com/yuhonas/free-exercise-db), public domain.