Kettlebell Hang Clean

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

Kettlebell Hang Clean — Starting position Starting position
Kettlebell Hang Clean — End position End position
Difficulty Intermediate
Type Strength
Equipment Kettlebell
Primary Muscle Hamstrings
AI Rep Counting Log manually

How to Do Kettlebell Hang Clean

  1. Place kettlebell between your feet. To get in the starting position, push your butt back and look straight ahead.
  2. Clean 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. Lower kettlebell to a hanging position between your legs while keeping the hamstrings loaded. Keep your head up at all times.

Muscles Worked

Front
Back

Primary

Where Kettlebell Hang Clean does most of its work.

Secondary

Assisting and stabilising muscles.

Alternatives to Kettlebell Hang Clean

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 Smith Machine Hang Power Clean

    Smith Machine Hang Power Clean

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

    intermediate Machines
  2. 2 Alternating Hang Clean

    Alternating Hang Clean

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

    intermediate Kettlebell
  3. 3 Double Kettlebell Alternating Hang Clean

    Double Kettlebell Alternating Hang Clean

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

    intermediate Kettlebell
  4. 4 Kettlebell Dead Clean

    Kettlebell Dead Clean

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

    intermediate Kettlebell
  5. 5 One-Arm Kettlebell Clean

    One-Arm Kettlebell Clean

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

    intermediate Kettlebell
  6. 6 One-Arm Open Palm Kettlebell Clean

    One-Arm Open Palm Kettlebell Clean

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

    intermediate Kettlebell
  7. 7 Dumbbell Clean

    Dumbbell Clean

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

    intermediate Dumbbells
  8. 8 Power Clean

    Power Clean

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

    intermediate Barbell
  9. 9 Open Palm Kettlebell Clean

    Open Palm Kettlebell Clean

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

    advanced Kettlebell
  10. 10 Kettlebell One-Legged Deadlift

    Kettlebell One-Legged Deadlift

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

    intermediate Kettlebell

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles do kettlebell hang clean work?

Kettlebell Hang Clean primarily works the hamstrings. The calves, glutes, lower back, shoulders and traps assist as secondary muscles.

What equipment do I need for kettlebell hang clean?

Kettlebell Hang Clean uses kettlebell.

Kettlebell Hang Clean: is it suitable for beginners?

Kettlebell Hang Clean is rated intermediate. Movements that assume you already own the basic pattern and are ready to load it.

What can I do instead of kettlebell hang clean?

Smith Machine Hang Power Clean, Alternating Hang Clean, Double Kettlebell Alternating Hang Clean train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.

Can Fitnit count my kettlebell hang clean reps automatically?

Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; kettlebell hang clean 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 Kettlebell Hang Clean 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.