Hamstrings · Kettlebell

Kettlebell Hang Clean

Clean the bell from the hang straight to the rack.

Kettlebell Hang Clean exercise demonstration
HamstringsSecondary: GlutesKettlebell

How to do it

  1. Hold the kettlebell at your thigh in the hang, soft knees.
  2. Dip slightly, then explosively extend your hips to drive the bell up.
  3. Guide it around your wrist into the rack at your shoulder.
  4. Lower it back to the hang and repeat.

The one cue that matters

Let your hips do the work, keep the bell close so it lands soft on your forearm.

Muscles worked

Starting from the hang at your thigh, every rep begins with a quick hip load that stretches the hamstrings, then a violent hip extension where the glutes drive the bell up to the rack. The short pull means you cannot muscle it with your arms, the power has to come from the hips. It earns a place as a fast way to practise the rack transition and build hip speed without the full setup of pulling from the floor.

FAQ

What is the difference between a kettlebell hang clean and a power clean?

The hang clean starts with the bell at your thigh, the power clean starts from the floor. The hang version shortens the pull, so it isolates the hip snap and the catch, which makes it the better place to learn the movement.

Why does the kettlebell bang my forearm on cleans?

The bell is looping wide and flipping over your wrist instead of rolling around it. Keep the handle close to your body and guide it around your wrist so it lands softly on your forearm in the rack.

What reps work best for kettlebell hang cleans?

Keep them crisp, sets of 3 to 6 per side or per set work well for power. Once your hips stop snapping and the reps turn into arm pulls, the set is over.

Related exercises

All 91 hamstrings exercises →
Track it in SUUPRLog sets, get smart progression hints, and train live with your crew.