Dumbbell Clean — start position
Start
Dumbbell Clean — end position
End

Legs / Intermediate / Compound (multi-joint)

Dumbbell Clean

A dumbbell explosive exercise for the hamstrings, with the calves, forearms and glutes assisting.

At a glance

Primary
Hamstrings
Secondary
Calves, Forearms & grip, Glutes, Lower back (erectors), Quads, Rear delts, Upper traps
Equipment
Dumbbells
Movement pattern
Hip hinge
Level
Intermediate
Type
Legs, Compound (multi-joint), Explosive

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

How to do it

  1. Begin standing with a dumbbell in each hand with your feet shoulder width apart.
  2. Lower the weights to the floor by flexing at the hips and knees, pushing your hips back until the dumbbells reach the floor. This will be your starting position.
  3. To initiate the movement, violently jump upward by extending the hips, knees, and ankles to acclerate the weights upward. Maintaining a neutral grip on the dumbbells, keep the arms straight until full extension is reached.
  4. After full extension, rebend the hips and knees to receive the weight in a squat position. Allow the arms to bend, guiding the dumbbells to your shoulders.
  5. Upon receiving the weight in the squat position, extend the hips and knees to finish in a standing position with the weights on your shoulders.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps — secondary (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (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 — secondary (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: Calves, Forearms & grip, Glutes, Lower back (erectors), Quads, Rear delts, Upper traps

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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.