[Ascendant]

That clip was pretty awesome. Mittens, it's a striking difference.

[Ascendant]

Had time to squeeze in a quick power clean workout tonight after going to see Bigger, Stronger, Faster with Chaos Mittens. Tough to do since my legs were still sore.

Bar*10
135*5
185*5
255*5
285*3
305*1
335*0
335*0
335*0

Apparently I've completely forgotten how to do do a full clean. I absolutely cannot get my elbows up enough, and don't feel comfortable dropping into a squatted catch position now. I'm going to work on that as a finisher to some workouts from now on.

On the plus side, I hit 305 power clean, which is a PR. The most I've ever done is 315, and it was an UGLY full clean with a full squat catch. I also used my Nike Shox (quite possibly the worst shoes to oly lift in. EVER). And the legs were sore. So all in all I'll fucking take it.

I'd like the 335 to go as a power clean next time, with fresher legs and my oly shoes. We'll see.

[Ascendant]

[Ascendant]

^^^305 Power Clean + sweaty, shirtless CK.

[ThinkGreen]

Nice shit, ever try cleaning with straps? I was reading that it helps get your elbows under/wrist flexibility,etc.

[Zerocrew1984]

looked pretty easy man. form is in your head.

[fat_wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Ascendant

Apparently I've completely forgotten how to do do a full clean. I absolutely cannot get my elbows up enough...

I'm usually not one to criticize people that are a great deal stronger than me on "x" lift, but the above is what I noticed on your overhead video from last week, too. Your elbows were pointing down while you had the bar racked. I'm willing to bet that if you clean up your technique, 370-375 will go up in no time. If you can hit 355 w/ mediocre technique, you're in damn good shape.

[Ascendant]

TG - Really? I've found that straps hinder my ability to get under the bar when I clean. Where did you read this, maybe I can get some pointers on it?

fat - Here's the thing: I have enormous chest and shoulder muscles. In fact, my training partner is always lamenting how easy it is for me to hold the bar racked there withOUT my elbows being up, since I have so much muscle mass to shelf the bar.

For example:

See, I'm able to rest it there and get the force production traveling in the right direction (at least, that's what I've always thought.). So for me, that isn't mediocre technique. It sits as well there for me as an oly lifters elbows-up technique.

If you disagree with anything I've said here please let me know, I'm always looking for ways to improve.

I totally agree that I need to learn to feel better in a racked, elbows-up position to improve my cleans, though. And who knows - maybe it'll help my jerks?

Anyone know of a better way than to just use lighter weight and rep it out, working on (for me): dropping into a full squat and catching the bar fully racked/elbows forward?

Thanks for the feedback!

[fat_wilhelm]

I can rack the bar with elbows down, as well, but my jerk feels a zillion times better if I start with an elbows-up/fingertip grip. With no weight felt in my hands at all, I feel like the initial drive up is a great deal more effortless, which helps in my transition to the second knee bend.

When it comes to straight up push presses, elbows up aren't as important to me, as personally, I want to feel a bit of the weight in preparation for the press that will finish out the movement. With jerks, where I'm trying to minimize any need for a press-out, elbows up is the key for me.

That said, you know what you're doing and everyone is different. It never hurts to hear what impartial observers have to say, though, so play around with it if you think there might be some benefit. I know when I train overhead, my technique can feel off by just a little bit, and it can mean the difference between 315 and 290 on any given day.

[fat_wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Ascendant

Anyone know of a better way than to just use lighter weight and rep it out, working on (for me): dropping into a full squat and catching the bar fully racked/elbows forward?

By the way, concerning that ^^^, there's a nice movement that I used to do before proceeding to cleans, where you use the bar, alone, or very light weight and shrug it as high as you possibly can. Once in the shrug position, drop quickly into a full squat and rotate your elbows around to the catch. By separating out the catch from everything else, it seems to help prepare your body for what it's supposed to do once you move on to adding in the pulls.