Kettlebell Clean And Press

Clean the bell to the rack, press it overhead, return under control. A full-body strength-endurance cycle that keeps the heart rate high without a barbell.

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
EQUIPMENT
Kettlebell
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Deltoids · Glutes
ALSO WORKS
Triceps · Lats · Obliques · Lower back
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Hike and clean the bell into the front rack, elbow tight to the ribs.
  2. 02Set the ribs down, brace the trunk and squeeze the glutes before you press.
  3. 03Press the bell in a slight arc around the head, finishing with the biceps beside the ear.
  4. 04Pull the bell back down into the rack rather than letting it drop onto the forearm.
  5. 05Tip it forward into the hike and clean again for the next rep.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Brace first, then press.
  2. 02Screw the fist to the ceiling at lockout.
  3. 03Pull it home, do not drop it home.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Leaning back to get the bell up, which shifts the work from the shoulder to the lumbar spine.
  2. 02Pressing before the rack is settled, which starts the lift from a moving base and costs reps.
  3. 03Dropping straight to the hike from overhead, which skips the rack and jars the elbow.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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