Appears in642 Workouts*

Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk

Full body power! Clean the kettlebell to your shoulder then jerk it overhead. Get stronger!

The Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk is a compound exercise that mainly works the back and biceps, with help from the core, glutes & hips and quads. You'll need: kettlebells.

Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk demo video 2
Ms. Grey
JustGains_XX
@JustGains_XX

Required Equipment

Kettlebells
Kettlebells

Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk Muscles Worked

Primary

Lats (latissimus dorsi); Biceps (biceps brachii)

Secondary

Abdominals (rectus abdominis); Glutes (gluteus maximus); Quads (quadriceps femoris)

How to do the Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk

  1. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Position a kettlebell between your feet.

  2. Bend at the hips and knees, grasp the kettlebell handle with one hand. Make sure your back is straight and head is facing forward.

  3. In a swift and fluid motion, pull the kettlebell upwards by extending your hips and knees, simultaneously pulling with your arm, keeping the kettlebell close to your body.

  4. Rotate your wrist as the kettlebell rises to the level of your shoulder, allowing the kettlebell to roll to the outside of your arm and rest against the outer part of your forearm. You should now be in a standing position with the kettlebell in a racked position at your shoulder.

  5. From the clean position, perform a dip by bending your knees slightly, then explosively extend your knees and drive through your heels to upwardly jerk the kettlebell overhead to full arm extension.

  6. Finish the move with the kettlebell locked out overhead and your arm straight. Your wrist should be in a neutral position, and your body should be in a straight vertical line.

  7. Lower the kettlebell back to the racked position at your shoulder, then to the starting position on the ground between your feet in a controlled manner.

  8. Repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions before switching arms.

Make sure to keep the core engaged and back straight throughout the movement, and avoid arching your lower back when lifting the kettlebell overhead. Practice the clean and jerk movement with a lighter weight to master the form before moving on to heavier kettlebells.

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Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk FAQs

What muscles does the Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk work?

The Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk mainly works the back and biceps, with help from the core, glutes & hips and quads. The main muscles are the latissimus dorsi and biceps brachii.

What equipment do you need for the Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk?

Kettlebells.

Is the Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk a compound exercise?

Yes. It's a compound movement, meaning it trains several muscle groups at once rather than isolating one.

What workout day should the Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk go on?

It belongs on push day in a push/pull/legs routine.

What are some Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean & Jerk variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Barbell Hang Clean Below-Knee, Barbell Single-Arm Clean & Twisted Press, Dumbbell Single-Arm Snatch and Dumbbell Power-Clean & Single Jerk.

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