which exercise do you think is better, and why?
Clean vs Snatch
- Thread starter FunctionalTrain
- Start date
It depends upon what you are training for. If it is OL, neither is better, you have to be good at both.
From a general training standpoint both have their merits. Both require coordination, strength, power. Cleans will use a heavier weight, a snatch is moved faster.
The snatch requires greater shoulder flexibility, the clean requires greater wrist and elbow flexibility.
If you are doing a full snatch and a full clean both are good. The hip flexibility required is higher for the snatch.
From a sports training standpoint neither is better. I know a lot of people use cleans like crazy, you can get as much or more power production out of pulls.
So, I suppose the real answer is, cleans are sometimes better for some people during certain times in their training, snatches are better for some people during certain times in their training. Sometimes neither lift is the best. If an OL both are equally important.
From a general training standpoint both have their merits. Both require coordination, strength, power. Cleans will use a heavier weight, a snatch is moved faster.
The snatch requires greater shoulder flexibility, the clean requires greater wrist and elbow flexibility.
If you are doing a full snatch and a full clean both are good. The hip flexibility required is higher for the snatch.
From a sports training standpoint neither is better. I know a lot of people use cleans like crazy, you can get as much or more power production out of pulls.
So, I suppose the real answer is, cleans are sometimes better for some people during certain times in their training, snatches are better for some people during certain times in their training. Sometimes neither lift is the best. If an OL both are equally important.
It depends upon what you are training for. If it is OL, neither is better, you have to be good at both.
From a general training standpoint both have their merits. Both require coordination, strength, power. Cleans will use a heavier weight, a snatch is moved faster.
The snatch requires greater shoulder flexibility, the clean requires greater wrist and elbow flexibility.
If you are doing a full snatch and a full clean both are good. The hip flexibility required is higher for the snatch.
From a sports training standpoint neither is better. I know a lot of people use cleans like crazy, you can get as much or more power production out of pulls.
So, I suppose the real answer is, cleans are sometimes better for some people during certain times in their training, snatches are better for some people during certain times in their training. Sometimes neither lift is the best. If an OL both are equally important.
True. It was more of a polling question than anything else. I do agree that it depends on the goals and the individual (liberos doing cleans, and centers doing snatches....etc). There's always a lot of questions raised about throwing athletes doing overhead lifts, causing some coaches to stay away from snatches or even jerks.
If I had to choose between either one, I'd choose the snatch because there's a lot more stabilty involved, IMO., while getting the power productios benefits, and hitting the triple extension.
It is interesting that you bring this up. I have been training with a lot of throwers lately, and training to become one myself. (highland games) There is a lot of talk about different exercises.
To look at it, the snatch, clean, and jerks, don't make a better thrower and are not necessary to become a better thrower.
There is a growing influence of special strength exercises using heavier and lighter implements, different methods of weightlifting.
For example, instead of doing a snatch a lot of guys will do repeat high pulls. Some do explosive high pulls and let go of the bar at the top. Instead of snatching, doing the same type of movement and heaving the bar over the head. Training a complete extension.
Interesting stuff really.
Given the choice, hhhmmmmm............... There have been points in my training career where I would have chosen the clean, points where I would have chosen the snatch, and points where I would have chosen neither. Each time I had some good reasons for choosing whatever I chose. Now I like to look at what would be best for the individual/sport/position.
More often that not I choose not to do the snatch and clean these days.
Not trying to stir the cool aid (maybe a little
) The clean vs. snatch vs. other exercises makes for great discussion.IM a thrower(avatar might give it away) and personally i do both. On my back/shoulder day i will do hang cleans and hang snatches. The next week i will do Power Cleans one day and Full snatches 2 days later. .my entire purpuse of training is to become stronger and more explosive. I mean what is throwing? none other than controlled explosion.
But at least your asking about, and hopefully doing, the clean and snatch b/c a lot of people dont and when you sk them why they say "whats the point?" And this is when a smack down occurs.
But at least your asking about, and hopefully doing, the clean and snatch b/c a lot of people dont and when you sk them why they say "whats the point?" And this is when a smack down occurs.
You know, I've putting high pulls into my programs lately, as well, so I like how you bring that point up. I guess my arguments for the OLs and their variations is that it's a great way for a thrower to strengthen and stabilize the external rotators, which is a big concern.
I may disagree to a point when you say it will not produce a better thrower. Obviously lifting will not make a more accurate and precise thrower (to an extent), but much of the energy in a throwing motion is generated at the hips, and I believe that energy can be transfered to the shoulders. Just as Excder says:
Excder, you also bring up a great point that most people will stay away from these exercises and rely on other exercises, because they feel the risk for OLs outweighs the reward.
Good discussion.
I may disagree to a point when you say it will not produce a better thrower. Obviously lifting will not make a more accurate and precise thrower (to an extent), but much of the energy in a throwing motion is generated at the hips, and I believe that energy can be transfered to the shoulders. Just as Excder says:
Excder, you also bring up a great point that most people will stay away from these exercises and rely on other exercises, because they feel the risk for OLs outweighs the reward.
Good discussion.