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Exercise guide

Kettlebell Dead Clean

How to do the Kettlebell Dead Clean with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundKettlebellsIntermediatePull
Primary muscles

Hamstrings

Secondary

Calves, Glutes, Lower Back, Quads, Traps

Equipment

Kettlebells

Step by step

How to do the Kettlebell Dead Clean

  1. 1

    Place kettlebell between your feet. To get in the starting position, push your butt back and look straight ahead.

  2. 2

    Clean the kettlebell to your shoulder. Clean the kettlebell to your shoulders by extending through the legs and hips as you raise the kettlebell towards your shoulder. The wrist should rotate as you do so.

  3. 3

    Lower the kettlebell, keeping the hamstrings loaded by keeping your back straight and your butt out.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Kettlebell Dead Clean set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your hamstrings volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Kettlebell Dead Clean fits

The Kettlebell Dead Clean shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More hamstrings exercises

FAQ

Kettlebell Dead Clean: common questions

What muscles does the Kettlebell Dead Clean work?

The Kettlebell Dead Clean primarily works the Hamstrings. It also recruits the Calves, Glutes, Lower Back, Quads and Traps as supporting muscles.

Is the Kettlebell Dead Clean suitable for beginners?

The Kettlebell Dead Clean is an intermediate-level exercise. It's best once you've built a base of general strength and movement control, beginners can work up to it.

What equipment do I need for the Kettlebell Dead Clean?

To do the Kettlebell Dead Clean you'll need one or more kettlebells.

Is the Kettlebell Dead Clean a compound or isolation exercise?

The Kettlebell Dead Clean is a compound exercise, it moves multiple joints and works several muscle groups at once, which makes it efficient for building overall strength.

How do I do the Kettlebell Dead Clean with correct form?

Place kettlebell between your feet. To get in the starting position, push your butt back and look straight ahead. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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