Power Snatch from Blocks

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

Power Snatch from Blocks — Starting position Starting position
Power Snatch from Blocks — End position End position
Difficulty Intermediate
Type Olympic Weightlifting
Equipment Barbell
Primary Muscle Quads
AI Rep Counting Log manually

How to Do Power Snatch from Blocks

  1. Begin with a loaded barbell on boxes or stands of the desired height. A wide grip should be taken on the bar. The feet should be directly below the hips, with the feet turned out as needed. Lower the hips, with the chest up and the head looking forward. The shoulders should be just in front of the bar, with the elbows pointed out. This will be the starting position.
  2. Begin the first pull by driving through the front of the heels, raising the bar from the boxes.
  3. Transition into the second pull by extending through the hips knees and ankles, driving the bar up as quickly as possible. The bar should be close to the body. At peak extension, shrug the shoulders and allow the elbows to flex to the side.
  4. As you move your feet into the receiving position, forcefully pull yourself below the bar as you elevate the bar overhead. The feet should move to just outside the hips, turned out as necessary. Receive the bar above a full squat and with the arms fully extended overhead.
  5. Keeping the bar aligned over the front of the heels, your head and chest up, drive through heels of the feet to move to a standing position. Carefully return the weight to the boxes.

Muscles Worked

Front
Back

Primary

Where Power Snatch from Blocks does most of its work.

Secondary

Assisting and stabilising muscles.

Alternatives to Power Snatch from Blocks

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 Snatch from Blocks

    Snatch from Blocks

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

    advanced Barbell
  2. 2 Clean from Blocks

    Clean from Blocks

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

    intermediate Barbell
  3. 3 Snatch

    Snatch

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

    intermediate Barbell
  4. 4 Heaving Snatch Balance

    Heaving Snatch Balance

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

    intermediate Barbell
  5. 5 Snatch Balance

    Snatch Balance

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

    intermediate Barbell
  6. 6 Hang Clean

    Hang Clean

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

    intermediate Barbell
  7. 7 Hang Clean - Below the Knees

    Hang Clean - Below the Knees

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

    intermediate Barbell
  8. 8 Split Clean

    Split Clean

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

    intermediate Barbell
  9. 9 Power Jerk

    Power Jerk

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

    advanced Barbell
  10. 10 Clean Pull

    Clean Pull

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

    intermediate Barbell

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles do power snatch from blocks work?

Power Snatch from Blocks primarily works the quads. The calves, forearms, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, shoulders and traps assist as secondary muscles.

What equipment do I need for power snatch from blocks?

Power Snatch from Blocks uses barbell.

Power Snatch from Blocks: is it suitable for beginners?

Power Snatch from Blocks is rated intermediate. Movements that assume you already own the basic pattern and are ready to load it.

What can I do instead of power snatch from blocks?

Snatch from Blocks, Clean from Blocks, Snatch train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.

Can Fitnit count my power snatch from blocks reps automatically?

Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; power snatch from blocks 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 Power Snatch from Blocks 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.