Clean and Press

An intermediate strength exercise for the shoulders, abs, calves, glutes, hamstrings, back, quads and triceps, done with a barbell.

Movement guide

Clean and Press

Demand · source-assignedMedium (unreviewed)

Equipment requiredA barbell

Muscle focusShoulders · Abs · Calves · Glutes · Hamstrings · Back · Quads · Triceps

Gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.

Watch it bigger, and flip through similar moves, in the studio.Open in the studio

Make it easier or harder

Start where you can move well, then step up.

Easier option

Anti-Gravity Press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAnti-Gravity PressBeginner · A barbell + A bench or box

Similar move, beginner grade.

This move

Clean and Press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoClean and PressIntermediate · A barbell

Intermediate grade (source-assigned).

Harder option

Clean and jerk demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoClean and jerkAdvanced · A barbell

Similar move, advanced grade.

Imported reference · editorial review pending. Clinical review is pending.

This entry comes from an external exercise database. Its instructions and difficulty have not completed our editorial or qualified clinical review.

How to move

Assume a shoulder-width stance, with knees inside the arms. Now while keeping the back flat, bend at the knees and hips so that you can grab the bar with the arms fully extended and a pronated grip that is slightly wider than shoulder width. Point the elbows out to sides. The bar should be close to the shins. Position the shoulders over or slightly ahead of the bar. Establish a flat back posture. This will be your starting position.
Begin to pull the bar by extending the knees. Move your hips forward and raise the shoulders at the same rate while keeping the angle of the back constant; continue to lift the bar straight up while keeping it close to your body.
As the bar passes the knee, extend at the ankles, knees, and hips forcefully, similar to a jumping motion. As you do so, continue to guide the bar with your hands, shrugging your shoulders and using the momentum from your movement to pull the bar as high as possible. The bar should travel close to your body, and you should keep your elbows out.
At maximum elevation, your feet should clear the floor and you should start to pull yourself under the bar. The mechanics of this could change slightly, depending on the weight used. You should descend into a squatting position as you pull yourself under the bar.
As the bar hits terminal height, rotate your elbows around and under the bar. Rack the bar across the front of the shoulders while keeping the torso erect and flexing the hips and knees to absorb the weight of the bar.
Stand to full height, holding the bar in the clean position.
Without moving your feet, press the bar overhead as you exhale. Lower the bar under control .

Practice and cautions

No dose has been assigned. Any timing or repetition examples in the imported instructions are source examples, not an individualized recommendation.

Imported community instructions and difficulty labels have not been independently reviewed for technique or individual suitability. Equipment labels may include additions inferred from the setup text; check the instructions for the exact support or alternatives. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, numbness or tingling; seek qualified guidance for symptoms, unfamiliar equipment or advanced skills.

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Sources and review status

Sources support the educational description; they do not establish that this exercise is suitable for you.

Free Exercise DB · community text ↗
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5

No variation is labeled clinically validated.

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What it works

Muscles

Main: Shoulders. Also: Abs, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Back, Quads, Triceps.

Equipment

A barbell

Level

Intermediate (source-assigned, not yet reviewed). See the easier and harder options above.

Similar moves

Alternating cable shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating cable shoulder pressIntermediate · A cable machine

Alternating kettlebell press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating kettlebell pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

Double kettlebell military press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoDouble kettlebell military pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

Double kettlebell push press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoDouble kettlebell push pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

Kettlebell seesaw press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoKettlebell seesaw pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

One-arm dumbbell shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoOne-arm dumbbell shoulder pressIntermediate · A dumbbell

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Questions people ask

What muscles does the Clean and Press work?

Mainly the shoulders, with help from the abs, calves, glutes, hamstrings, back, quads and triceps.

What equipment do I need for the Clean and Press?

A barbell.

Is the Clean and Press good for beginners?

It is graded intermediate. The grade comes from the source database and has not been independently reviewed. If it is too hard right now, start with the Anti-Gravity Press.

What is an easier alternative to the Clean and Press?

Try the Anti-Gravity Press. It works similar muscles at a lower grade.

How do I make the Clean and Press harder?

Progress to the Clean and jerk, or add load, range or slower lowering once your form is solid.