Hamstring exercises

Barbell Power Snatch

Also known as: Arraché en puissance à la barre · Πάουερ αρασέ με μπάρα · Power Snatch

Primary
Hamstrings
Equipment
Barbell
Level
Advanced
Type
Compound
Force
Pull
Suggested rest
2.5 min

How to do the Barbell Power Snatch

  1. Begin with a loaded barbell on the floor. The bar should be close to or touching the shins, and a wide grip should be taken on the bar. The feet should be directly below the hips, with the feet turned out as needed. Lower the hips, with the chest up and the head looking forward. The shoulders should be just in front of the bar. This will be the starting position.

  2. Begin the first pull by driving through the front of the heels, raising the bar from the ground. The back angle should stay the same until the bar passes the knees.

  3. Transition into the second pull by extending through the hips knees and ankles, driving the bar up as quickly as possible. The bar should be close to the body. At peak extension, shrug the shoulders and allow the elbows to flex to the side.

  4. As you move your feet into the receiving position, a slightly wider position, pull yourself below the bar as you elevate the bar overhead. The bar should be received in a partial squat. Continue raising the bar to the overhead position, receiving the bar locked out overhead.

  5. Return to a standing position with the weight over head.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth3–48–122.5 min
Muscular endurance2–315–201 min

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 5 kg (10 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Hamstrings

Secondary

Calves, Glutes, Lower back, Quads, Shoulders, Traps, Triceps

The hamstrings bend the knee and extend the hip, so train both: hinges like Romanian deadlifts and leg curls.

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Barbell hamstring exercises