Dumbbell Squat Clean

Squat to touch the floor with the dumbbells, then bring them to the shoulders as you stand up.

Dumbbell Squat Clean, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Feet shoulder-width, a dumbbell at each side in a hanging grip.

Steps

  1. Squat until the dumbbells touch the floor.
  2. Drive up hard and use the momentum to flip the bells to the shoulders.
  3. Stand tall, elbows up; return them down and repeat.

Common mistakes

Curling the bells up with the arms: the legs launch them; arms only steer. Rounding the back at the floor: chest up even at the bottom. Catching with the elbows down: whip them under the bells.

Breathing

Inhale in the squat, exhale on the drive and catch.