Hang Cleans Muscle Worked and How to Do It

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 16:48

Hang Cleans Muscle Worked and Strengthened Significantly

Hang Cleans Muscle Worked and Strengthened Significantly

There are a lot of exercises involving a barbell such as deadlift, bench press, and cleans. One of these exercises is the hang clean, which is also called the hang clean and press. A lot of people have been practicing this exercise for years, but there are still those who do not know how to perform it properly. Mostly performed by powerlifters and weightlifters, the hang clean is a popular lifting exercise. However, it is not a simple one to accomplish. It is an exercise that is not recommended for beginners and is considered as a complex one. This is not to say that beginners are not allowed to practice this exercise; it is just that they should know first how it is done and have the proper knowledge of how to do it. In this article, we will discuss everything there is to know about hang cleans and how to do it properly.

What Is the Definition of a Hang Clean?

A hang clean is a weight lifting exercise that works the pilates spine stretch muscles of the body significantly and helps to strengthen them. It is an explosive movement that starts with a deadlift of the weight, followed by an explosive jump and catch in a squat position. This is an exercise that is popular among weight lifters, and it is a great exercise for athletes and others alike. The hang clean is a multi-joint movement that works mainly the legs, arms and back. The hang clean was first introduced in the late 1800s, and it was considered a great exercise by weight lifters in the past. It is still used today, and it is one of the most widely known weight lifting exercises. 

The hang clean is often performed by weightlifters and powerlifters as their main workout when preparing for a competition. It is also done by gym-goers in order to improve their physique and overall health. Bodybuilders use it in order to strengthen the same muscles that are used in the bench press. This exercise works the muscles in the back, shoulders and arms. It also works the quadriceps and glutes as well as many other muscle groups. The hang clean is a great exercise that can be done alone or with a training partner so you can spot each other. 

The reason why hang cleans are done with relatively lighter weights compared to deadlifts is because of the way it is performed. The barbell is held in an uncomfortable position for a longer period of time which results in more muscle activity. Using weights that are too heavy during a hang clean will result in an incomplete lift. The hang clean is a great exercise for anyone looking to build up their strength and muscle mass.

Related: Master the Kettlebell Hang Clean: Tips and Benefits

What Is the Purpose of Doing a Hang Clean?

Purpose of Doing a Hang Clean

There are many reasons to use this exercise. For one, it is a great exercise for building strength and power, especially in the legs. It is also helpful for improving coordination and balance. The hang clean can be done with light weights, which makes it an excellent source of cardiovascular exercise. Unlike bench press and other similar lifts, the hang clean is often done with relatively lighter weights due to the extreme explosiveness of the exercise, and a heavy weight can be more dangerous to lift. 

 

 

Another reason to consider the hang clean is that it helps to develop a strong grip. This is especially important if you need to get a good grip on an object such as a rope or handle. If you are trying to improve your hand-eye coordination, this exercise can be very helpful as well. Another purpose of hang cleans is to strengthen the upper body and core. The exercise also helps to increase your ability to develop power in a range of movements, which is beneficial for almost any sport, and even bodybuilding. 

Another reason why hang clean is popular is due to its versatility. It can be used for developing strength in the upper body and shoulders, but it is also possible to use it for working on overall athleticism and speed. In fact, many athletes like using hang clean with other exercises as a way to increase power output. Hang clan is also popular due to the fact that it is a compound exercise, and it can be used with other exercises to increase the intensity of workouts.

Hang Cleans Muscle Worked When Done Properly

There are a few muscles that are worked when doing a proper hang clean. Given that the exercise is done right, it works the calves, hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps, back and shoulders. The calves are worked due to the fact that one has to jump up from the ground. Jumping up from the ground is an excellent way of strengthening the calves. The hamstrings are worked due to the fact that they have to contract intensely when the bar is pushed up, and also because they have to bend in order to bring the bar down. The glutes are worked because they are used to help push the body upward and then help bend it when bringing the weight back down. The quadriceps are worked due to the fact that they have to contract intensely when pushing the body upward, and also because they have to bend in order to bring the weight back down. The back is worked because it has to hold the weight up, and also because it has to be used for support, and the shoulders are worked because they have to contract intensely when holding the weight, and also because they have to bend in order to bring the bar back down.

Related: Master the Hang Clean and Press: A Guide to Effective Training

How to Do a Hang Clean with a Safe and Proper Form

A hang clean must be done very carefully in order to avoid severe injuries. It is extremely important for one person to know exactly how to do a proper hang clean in order to successfully perform the exercise. There are proper steps to follow when doing a hang clean, and we will go over each one below. 

  • Step 1: The very first step to doing a hang clean is to hold the weight in your hands. This can be done by holding it at arm’s length, or gripping it tightly with your fingers and making sure that you have a firm grip on it. The proper hang clean form starts from a proper form.
  • Step 2: Once you get the proper form and grip of the weight. The next thing you should do is to drop down into a squat and make sure that your knees are not allowed to go over your toes. Make sure that you are bending at the hips and keep your back straight. Failing to do so will result in the wrong form and can be harmful to your body.
  • Step 3: Now that you're on the proper grip and proper squat form, the next step in doing a hang clean is to drive up, or jump up and shrug the weight. Once you are in the proper position, your arms should be tight to your body and your elbows should be tight under your shoulders. This will allow you to get the most out of the exercise. 
  • Step 4: Once you've reached the top position, you should make sure that your elbows are straight and not bent. Then lower yourself back down into a squat position. 

If you want to get the most out of your hang cleans, then make sure that you take your time with this exercise and don't rush. By doing the exercise too quickly, it will not be as effective as it could be and can actually lead to injury. 

Keep in mind that a hang clean is an extremely complex exercise and must not be done by those who are not yet familiar with the movement, or if you're a beginner. It's highly important that the steps above are adhered to when performing this exercise. Failure to do so may result in serious injury.

Benefits Hang Cleans When Done Properly

Benefits Hang Cleans

There are a lot of benefits that can be gained from doing proper hang cleans. Primarily, a hang clean is beneficial to the shoulders, traps, upper back, forearms and the hamstrings. The hang clean is also great for improving balance, coordination, speed and strength in all of the muscles that are used during the movement. 

 

 

A hang clean can also help increase strength levels in the upper body, as well as help with agility and speed. A proper hang clean can also help improve overall performance in other sports. A hang clean can be used as a warm-up exercise, or as a main lift for the day. Some people like to do a few sets of hang cleans at the beginning of their workout, and then finish off with other lifts towards the end. 

Another benefit of the hang clean is that because you are not using a heavy amount of weight, you can do more repetitions than other lifts. This means that your endurance and stamina will also improve with the hang clean. More lifts mean more muscle fiber stimulation, and more muscle fiber stimulation leads to greater strength gains.

Related: Dumbbell Hang Clean and Jerk: A Full-Body Workout

What are the Differences Between Hang Cleans and Power Cleans

Power cleans and hang cleans are two similar exercises, which is why some people mistake one for the other. But in reality, these exercises actually have quite a few differences. For one, a hang clean involves a lifter standing on the ground at the beginning of the exercise, while a power clean involves the lifter being in a squatting position. A hang clean also requires that the weight be pulled up to the chest, while a power clean requires that it be pulled up to the shoulders. Another difference between hang cleans and power cleans is that a power clean is performed with a slightly wider stance, and the feet are turned out at a 45-degree angle, while a hang clean is performed with the feet facing straight ahead.

The biggest difference, however, is that a hang clean requires that the weight be dropped before being pulled again, while a power clean requires that the weight stay in motion throughout. In addition, in the power clean, the bar is pulled up to the shoulders while it is directly over the mid-foot. 

The Consequences of Failing to Perform a Proper Hang Clean

Failing to Perform a Proper Hang Clean

As we have mentioned above, hang cleans are extremely complex, and is an exercise that should not be done by beginners. Failing to do a proper hang clean has consequences. For starters, doing a hang clean with an improper grip and form can result in a torn bicep, either from the wrist being pulled or the weight of the bar tearing at the elbow. If you are using a heavy weight, it can result in an injury to your Achilles tendon. Another consequence of performing a hang clean improperly is that it can lead to a herniated or ruptured disc in the back. This is because you are taking a weight that has been hanging down and lifting it upward and forward, which puts additional stress on your spine. 

 

 

These consequences are often the results of the following hang clean mistakes:

Not Finishing the Pull at All

Athletes often feel rushed because the lift is shorter. As a result, they rush the movement. This frequently means not completing the pull and extending all the way to the top of the lift.

However, reaching full extension at the top — that is, keeping your body straight — will allow you to get more height on the barbell.

Throwing the Barbell onto the Shoulders When the Lift Struggles

In a hang clean, the barbell can feel even heavier. In some ways, it is. You won't be able to lift as much as you can from the floor if you're in the hang position.

However, athletes will sometimes respond by attempting to "thrust" the barbell onto their shoulders using only momentum. It frequently crashes onto them, and their stability suffers as a result.

Letting the Barbell Drift Away from the Body

Whatever type of clean (or snatch) you're doing, you want the barbell to stay as close to your body as possible. If the bar moves away from you, you must either (1) jump forward to meet it, or (2) it will swing out in a loop, returning to you with too much force. (This is especially dangerous in the snatch, where you may miss the lift behind you.)

Related: Hang Squat Clean CrossFit: Mastering the Technique

Hang Clean vs Power Clean: Which One is Better?

Now that you've grasped the similarities and differences between hang cleans and power cleans, you may be wondering which is better. The answer is neither. Hang cleans and power cleans both have their own purposes when it comes to exercise and fitness. Hang cleans are best for developing explosive power. Power cleans are more effective for building overall strength and endurance. If you want to develop the ability to explode into a standing position, hang cleans may be the way to go. 

Powerlifters who perform both hang cleans and power cleans often pick the latter to build overall strength. Even though they both have their own purposes, there are a few reasons why power cleans may be better than hang cleans. When you do hang cleans, your arms are kept straight and you're suspended in the air during the exercise, while you're in a standing position during power cleans. In addition, you're able to use heavier weights for power cleans. The primary benefit of hang cleans is that it's easier to learn the proper technique than with power cleans, because you aren't in a standing position. 

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In conclusion, hang cleans is a very versatile exercise and is quite beneficial in many ways. This exercise strengthens the muscles of the back, shoulders, and legs. It also works your core, making it a complete bodyweight exercise. The best part about this exercise is that you can use very heavy weights for them without risking your safety. It's also easy to learn how to do them properly.

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