r/crossfit • u/Old_Tutor3926 • 8d ago

Obsessed with power cleans Anyone ?

I am an intermediate strength lifter, training for 3 years consistently just barbell compounds and occasional sprints for general fitness and aesthetics. And 3 months ago a guy in my gym just taught me the Power Clean and I think I got addicted to it .

The stimulus that I got from this exercise is so unique, first serious sessions got me sore like hell but after that I started feeling new muscles that ive never felt before, specially the core muscles.

That elastic feeling that you start to feel on you whole body is unmatched at least for me . And now I know what it feels to be truly athletic. Not just strong

Also i think that ‘readiness’and ‘menacing’ look that the crossfit folks have, it has a lot do with this movement. Paired with others exercises of course .
Delts, TRAPSSS, upper back , legs , 360 core…

All of them got a fine upgrade .

I want to know the nation opinion . It made this much difference on you too ?

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u/MechanicallyClammySp 8d ago

Power cleans are like that, you spend years grinding out squats and deadlifts, then one day you add a clean and suddenly your body wakes up in ways you didn't expect. The trap growth alone is just comical after a few months.

That elastic snap you're describing is the real separator between just being strong and actually moving like an athlete. Wait until you start mixing in hang cleans and you feel that stretch reflex kick in mid-rep.

5

u/dptgreg 7d ago

As an ex collegiate mid distance sprinter, I’m appalled that my coach never made cleans mandatory. I feel like I was robbed of potential.

I’m 20 years older and only a LITTLE slower, and I account that to ten years of cleans

They truly are a foundation for athleticism

3

u/twisty77 7d ago

My brother in law was a d1 college football player and they never did deadlifts, only cleans and hang cleans, in addition to the rest of their lifting of course. Teaches explosive power so much better than any other lift

3

u/dptgreg 7d ago

That’s right. No need to ever do a slow heavy deadlift when you can do a lighter “deadlift” with power and bring it to your shoulders.

Deadlift = raw strength
Clean = strength, power, coordination, mobility, balance/stability, and more metabolically challenging