Hang Snatch

An advanced compound Olympic weightlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.

Hang Snatch — Starting position Starting position
Hang Snatch — End position End position
Difficulty Advanced
Type Olympic Weightlifting
Equipment Barbell
Primary Muscle Hamstrings
AI Rep Counting Log manually

How to Do Hang Snatch

  1. Begin with a wide grip on the bar, with an overhand or hook grip. The feet should be directly below the hips with the feet turned out. Your knees should be slightly bent, and the torso inclined forward. The spine should be fully extended and the head facing forward. The bar should be at the hips. This will be your starting position.
  2. Aggressively extend through the legs and hips. At peak extension, shrug the shoulders and allow the elbows to flex to the side.
  3. As you move your feet into the receiving position, forcefully pull yourself below the bar as you elevate the bar overhead. Receive the bar with your body as low as possible and the arms fully extended overhead.
  4. Return to a standing position with the weight overhead. Follow by returning the weight to the ground under control.

Muscles Worked

Front
Back

Primary

Where Hang Snatch does most of its work.

Secondary

Assisting and stabilising muscles.

Alternatives to Hang Snatch

10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.

  1. 1 Hang Snatch - Below Knees

    Hang Snatch - Below Knees

    An advanced compound Olympic weightlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.

    advanced Barbell
  2. 2 Split Snatch

    Split Snatch

    An advanced compound Olympic weightlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.

    advanced Barbell
  3. 3 Power Snatch

    Power Snatch

    An advanced compound Olympic weightlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.

    advanced Barbell
  4. 4 Muscle Snatch

    Muscle Snatch

    An intermediate compound Olympic weightlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.

    intermediate Barbell
  5. 5 Snatch Deadlift

    Snatch Deadlift

    An intermediate compound Olympic weightlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.

    intermediate Barbell
  6. 6 Clean

    Clean

    An intermediate compound Olympic weightlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.

    intermediate Barbell
  7. 7 Clean Deadlift

    Clean Deadlift

    A beginner compound Olympic weightlifting exercise that works the hamstrings, using a barbell.

    beginner Barbell
  8. 8 Double Kettlebell Alternating Hang Clean

    Double Kettlebell Alternating Hang Clean

    An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the hamstrings, using a kettlebell.

    intermediate Kettlebell
  9. 9 Alternating Hang Clean

    Alternating Hang Clean

    An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the hamstrings, using a kettlebell.

    intermediate Kettlebell
  10. 10 Kettlebell Hang Clean

    Kettlebell Hang Clean

    An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the hamstrings, using a kettlebell.

    intermediate Kettlebell

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles do hang snatch work?

Hang Snatch primarily works the hamstrings. The abs, calves, forearms, glutes, lower back, quads and shoulders assist as secondary muscles.

What equipment do I need for hang snatch?

Hang Snatch uses barbell.

Hang Snatch: is it suitable for beginners?

Hang Snatch is rated advanced. High skill or high load. Worth earning rather than starting with.

What can I do instead of hang snatch?

Hang Snatch - Below Knees, Split Snatch, Power Snatch train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.

Can Fitnit count my hang snatch reps automatically?

Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; hang snatch can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.

Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.

Track Your Hang Snatch with AI

Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.