Cleans vs Power Cleans vs Hang Cleans - What's the Difference?!

[@TinkerTailorSailorTy]

For years I’ve been confused about what the differences were. I remember my high school football coaches trying to teach the team all these lifts, but they didn’t really take the time to explain it this clearly or in a comparative and organized way. That was back in 2013. I started lifting again recently so I figured I’d finally look it up. It’s so satisfying to finally have the answers.

[@TestifySC]

Your story is exactly type of reason we made this video. For example, people say they did cleans in high school - because that's what their coaches told them - when they actually probably did power cleans or hang power cleans. This then tends to cause problems later on if they want to spend some more time with the olympic lifts.

[@atenciosergio]

Now I understand, you make it look so simple..thank you!

[@TestifySC]

You're welcome!

[@OMEGAMASSIVE]

She has excellent form

[@tae-007]

damn good formmm

[@tanisj2470]

@@tae-007 balls deep

[@myrusEW]

She got realll good form

[@elponcho472]

Honestly, this is the best video i found on the topic... Brief, and full of information... Like and Sub! thanks for the info!

[@TestifySC]

You’re welcome, and thanks for the kind words!

[@chasemorrison9558]

Agreed top tier and right to the point

[@TestifySC]

Thanks, Chase!

[@bparrish333]

I agree

[@carlolechner7846]

Agreed!

[@kesea5454]

Years of lifting and this was THEE BEST explanation I've come across.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much!

[@danparish1344]

I always forget the differences. This is amazing.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks, Dan - glad you found it useful!

[@ginh1709]

By far the best clip I’ve seen in differentiating the clean, power and hang in the most simplified yet in depth information. I’ve watched several clips to brush up on my understanding of the basic elements to test out and this clip has taught me more and able to retain the information I’ve ever had in five minutes! Thank you for all you do and please continue to produce these amazing content! 🙏🏼 😊

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome, and thanks for the kind words!

[@PS3PCDJ]

This tutorial, together with the snatch one is how tutorials/explanation videos should be: - Short - Informative - To the point - No fluff

[@TestifySC]

Thanks, Joey - I appreciate it.

[@PrinceEC]

This is probably the best explanation I’ve seen on explanation the difference on KZbin so thank you from Australia!

[@TestifySC]

Glad it was helpful, and you’re welcome!

[@fabmeg]

Thanks! - you’ve finally ‘cleaned’ all that confusion I had around those lifts and I could never remember which one’s which!

[@TestifySC]

Ha! You’re very welcome, and I’m glad it was helpful!

[@bodhid]

Great explanation and the lifter has a superb, smooth technique. When done well it looks effortless.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much!

[@jaquirox6579]

She was really impressive!

[@superchunkylover23]

Simple, no BS and informative. A perfect workout video

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much - glad you liked it.

[@IHACKER316]

thank you thank you THANK YOU , FINALLY I understand , this is hands down by FAR the best explanation of this I have ever heard . I got so sick of searching for the answer , my quest ends here, Thank you very much 🧡

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome, and I’m glad this ended your quest :-)

[@THECHOSENO1NE]

thank you so much the internet should preserve this video for posterity

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much, and we’re glad you liked it!

[@marcusraynal]

Not just the best video covering this topic bar none but one of the best educational videos on KZbin.

[@TestifySC]

That is high praise - thank you very much!

[@remerjm]

This is such a great explanation. I’ve been in classes with coaches who didn’t explain it this well.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words, and I'm glad it was useful!

[@jungwoojeong3143]

Clear and Straight-forward explanation with good voice ! Thank you for this !

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome - I’m glad you found it useful!

[@carterpape]

This is a great little video. You cut in the actual demonstrations nicely; the drawings added a lot to the explanation; and explaining the whole taxonomy really drove each point home.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks, Carter - I appreciate it!

[@lowkeyIbes]

Nice breakdown didnt know there where so many cleans. I all knew was Power Clean & Hang clean when I played football.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks, and a situation like that is exactly why we made this video. A lot of people knew they did some version of a clean in high school but aren’t always sure which one, and as often as not, their coaches didn’t label them correctly anyway.

[@sophieglo2]

FINALLY someone who has helped me understand the difference! In a way i understand and will remember. Thank you!

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome - I’m glad this helped!

[@mummyman2115]

I see the light! Great explanation makes sense now!

[@TestifySC]

Excellent - glad this helped!

[@cnpsych1824]

Finally, a great explanation and breakdown. I've been confused for years--had Clean and Power Clean reversed in my head. Thanks for straightening me out.

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome!

[@LARPANET_3087]

This was very helpful, thank you! Always wondered what power cleans versus squat cleans versus normal cleans were, and evidently the last two are synonyms, which caused me some confusion! Very clear presentation that broke it down nicely.

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome, and yes, it can be confusing. One of the reasons for that is that "clean" is the name of one of the variations (i.e., squat clean as you pointed out), but it's also the name of the "family" of lifts so to speak, so that cleans, power cleans, hang cleans, and hang power cleans are all cleans. In the sport of weightlifting, for example, in the clean-and-jerk, during the clean portion of the lift, you can clean it or power clean it since both lifts start on the floor and end with the bar racked on your shoulders. Some people will even split clean it, which is a variation we didn't discuss in this video.

[@LARPANET_3087]

@@TestifySC I guess with most clean and presses that I've seen, they really do a power clean and press. In fact I don't think I've ever seen someone do a full squat clean and press

[@TestifySC]

@@LARPANET_3087 Correct (although a squat clean and press was typical when it was still part of the Olympics as the weights were much heavier and the squat aspect was often necessary). In competition, a power clean still counts as a clean, and many people can power clean as much or more than they can press, so they're saving themselves some energy by not having to stand up the squat.

[@endokrin7897]

​@@TestifySCI just read through this comment thread, and, while I finally do 'get' it... My head has never hurt this much from weightlifting!!😊 🤯

[@patriciafields1479]

Thanks for differentiating between those so clearly!! Going to do some Cleans now!

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome - I'm glad you found it useful. Have fun with the cleans!

[@palaciosjorge3075]

wow this the best description I have seen since I started partially doing crossfit

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@parasatabi4136]

Best explanation. Clean and Clear.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much!

[@THEREALADAM-x3r]

Dude. You absolutely killed this. Great job! Legit, perfectly done. Subscribing off of this vid alone. Thank you!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for subscribing, and thanks for the high praise as well!

[@paulmaffesoli7723]

Simple terms spoken clear and concise. Good vid

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much, Paul!

[@ahintofchristianity87]

Very simple and easy to understand...now I need to start the not so easy part

[@TestifySC]

The actual training part, I presume? :-)

[@sadafsaad6449]

So much clarity I never had.. thx

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome!

[@SetFreeAndLiving]

Best way I have seen this explained. Thank you very much.

[@TestifySC]

I'm glad it was useful, and thanks for the kind words!

[@Foodiefatma]

Finally I understood the difference! Thanks for the simplified explanation👏🏼

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome - glad it helped!

[@jaquirox6579]

YOU JUST SAVED MY MIND!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙏🏽

[@TestifySC]

Glad you found it useful!

[@df6148]

If more coaches were like *THIS* we would have a lot more Amazing athletes in the world today.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much for the kind words!

[@apolyedapolyed7524]

Finally, my confusion busted; tons of thanks. 😘😘😘

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome!

[@vladivnv]

woa, thanks, I realized I've been doing hang power cleans instead of hang cleans for a couple months! Best tutorial so far.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much, and glad to help!

[@UniversalStand]

@@TestifySC are there any prep or complementary exercises that you need to do for cleans?

[@benb6658]

That was awesome!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks!

[@emileepham8757]

great explanation and example! thank you for the info

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome!

[@harvestblades]

@@TestifySC I didn't know Testify was on YT. Great to see & good content.

[@TestifySC]

@@harvestblades Thanks, Larry!

[@triniboy05]

Very informative, concise, and clear. Thank you! I think it’s funny how the simplest terminology is actually the most difficult out of the 4 lol

[@TestifySC]

Glad it was helpful, and you’re welcome! And indeed :-)

[@mrhmd8308]

Wow, by far the easiest step by step explanation of this movement. Very informative. Cheers 🍻

[@TestifySC]

Thanks - glad it was useful!

[@mrhmd8308]

@@TestifySC is there a way to increase your volume? b/c the sound is low on your videos.

[@TestifySC]

@@mrhmd8308 We didn't have an external mic yet when we made that video, but we do now, so hopefully our more recent videos are better in terms of audio quality.

[@samueldominguez9859]

Excellent and *clean* explanation

[@TestifySC]

I see what you did there, and thanks very much!

[@gregarious6662]

Great job on the definitions and demonstrations.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much

[@VladimirPerez24]

The best explanation EVER!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much - glad you found it useful!

[@JuanOLopezGerena]

This was amazingly clear!

[@TestifySC]

Glad you found it useful!

[@nogjoao]

Simple and effective explanation. Beginners tend to mix up movements and namings so this is truly helpful Keep up the good work!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@RezMahboubi]

FINALLY!!! A clear explanation. I’ve just subscribed for other tips & explanations. Thank you.👍👍👍👊👊👊

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome - I’m glad this helped, and thanks for subscribing!

[@taylornelson4040]

This helped me an unbelievable amount

[@TestifySC]

I’m glad this helped!

[@microchiroptera4520]

Perfect, thanks

[@TestifySC]

Thanks, and you’re welcome!

[@likemike04]

OK, ABBY, WE SEE YOU! WTF you are much smaller but way more stronger than I am.. my body language looks awkward too but yours is too clean and smooth! Thanks coach.. You thought too simple, I really appreciate it all and learned a lot. :) before it’s hard to understand this. but now, because of you, it’s gonna be hard to forget this :)

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome, and I’m glad it was useful for you!

[@VeganMindset]

Very crystal clear!! Thank you so much!!

[@TestifySC]

Thank you, and you are welcome!

[@arunext]

Very well explained. Thanks. I do cross fit in Spanish which I don't fully speak, so probably they explained and I didn't understand.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words, and you’re very welcome. You’re right that it’s possible that they may have explained it, but the differences between these variations are very often not explained or not even well understood by the person programming the lift, so that’s exactly why we made this video.

[@Nixissus]

Thank you for the explanation of these terms. Very helpful!

[@TestifySC]

You’re welcome - I’m glad it was helpful!

[@Frosiiee]

Thank you so much for this perfect explanation! Will never forget the difference again!

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome! If you're interested, we also recently put up a video on the differences between the snatch, power snatch, hang snatch, hang power snatch (with demos for each as well): Snatch vs Power Snatch vs Hang Snatch - What's the Difference?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXLNq56fjLWGeZY

[@tking3464]

Thank you so much. You made this exercise very clear to me now.

[@TestifySC]

Excellent - I’m glad to hear that it helped!

[@TheReignOfChaos94]

Incredibly succinct, useful and informative. Thank you!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words, and you’re welcome!

[@PercivalFromWales]

As someone who only recently took up CrossFit, all this terminology wasn't exactly clear to me. Your explanation is extremely useful to me, and others as well! Thank you. That is one more like and a new subscriber, all the way from the Netherlands, by the way!

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome. Also, thanks for the kind words as well as subscribing!

[@shirinkarimi128]

Such a great explanation!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks - glad it was useful!

[@ArishiWeLikePlays]

Wow that is incredibly clear, I was especially confused on Power and Hang Power so it's amazing that you cleared it up so precisely and quickly! Thank you.

[@TestifySC]

You’re welcome, and I’m glad this video cleared it up for you!

[@lordlowrider]

Wow. Thank you for the explanation.

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome!

[@martinaanthony]

Loved the explanation! Finally it clicked for me.

[@TestifySC]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@FullyOnlinewithKatie]

This was SO HELPFUL, thank you!!

[@TestifySC]

Glad it was helpful, and you're welcome!

[@galzaguri635]

Beautiful explanation

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much

[@saimirhysa6480]

Simple and easy to understand!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks Saimir - glad it was useful!

[@jonkhakame7574]

Thank you sir for the education

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome, Jon!

[@overove2000]

Wow, thanks for this super intuitive explanation! Just what I was looking for

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome!

[@hotbyoungturk]

makes so much more sense now! thank you!

[@TestifySC]

I’m glad it was useful for you, and you’re welcome!

[@stevefromchicago8277]

Abby’s form is outstanding and 💪

[@kface461]

SO HELPFUL! Thank you.

[@TestifySC]

You’re welcome!

[@Bravado1989]

Thank you. I could not remember what was the difference.

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome!

[@emilyroberts5833]

That was an excellent explanation of the variations !

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@williamharding1319]

I finally get it. Thanks.

[@TestifySC]

You’re welcome - glad it helped!

[@brittanyhall4608]

Thank you so much! I have been trying to figure this out for months and kept getting confused.

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome, Brittany - I'm glad this was helpful!

[@tamarapipkin7675]

Excellent and appreciated descriptions of each of the exercises. This makes it very clear to me. Thank you!

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome - glad it helped make things clear!

[@CesarPerez-nh4zw]

Thank you for this video. Got the message across; now to start my journey

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome, Cesar! If you're interested, we also recently put up a video on the differences between the snatch, power snatch, hang snatch, hang power snatch (with demos for each): Snatch vs Power Snatch vs Hang Snatch - What's the Difference?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXLNq56fjLWGeZY

[@virginiemazy7054]

Great explanation !!!! Now on to the snatch 😅😂

[@TestifySC]

Thanks - glad you liked it!

[@josemayorga3169]

That was an excellent explicative video thanks

[@TestifySC]

You’re welcome, and thank you as well!

[@cadencecampbell2039]

Best explanation video I’ve found! Thanks.

[@TestifySC]

Glad you found it useful!

[@hightttech]

Great explanation 👍.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much.

[@TenleySummer]

OMG thank you for this awesome awesome explanation! finally I get it. you seriously rock!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words, and I’m glad it helped!

[@VyTran-ew9yi]

This was an awesome demonstration and explanation! Straight to the point with great tips and visuals!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks - glad you liked it!

[@tbinfa1]

Great explanation!!! Learned so much in less than 5 minutes!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks - glad it was helpful!

[@studioigealivorno]

finally the right differenciation! thanks!

[@TestifySC]

You’re welcome - I’m glad you found it useful!

[@fab9336]

Best explanation!!!

[@TestifySC]

Thank you!

[@eliefeinstein6182]

Amazing video. Thank you. Super clear.

[@TestifySC]

Excellent - glad you found it helpful!

[@marianaguimaraes1331]

Great explanation!

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much - glad it was helpful!

[@lordmagal6226]

This is a great explanation... thanx

[@TestifySC]

You’re welcome, and thanks for the kind words!

[@skpk7796]

Amazing video, thank you for the examples and clear explanation

[@TestifySC]

You’re very welcome, and thanks for the kind words.

[@masterwrestler1920]

Thank you sir. Very nicely explained.

[@TestifySC]

Thank you very much!

[@TheDdhahn]

I know all these things now! Nice work.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much!

[@sandunherath8565]

That was really good mate. Very simple, but well explained. Thanks heaps. Keep up the good work.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@davidrtrains]

Best video for topic

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much david R

[@王予承-x6l]

really clear!!! thank you

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words, and you’re welcome!

[@jerdman10carter]

Great explanation! New to these types of lifts, and this was extremely helpful.

[@TestifySC]

I'm glad to hear that!

[@andersonmyhr8263]

Best explanation on KZbin thx

[@TestifySC]

You’re welcome, and thanks for the kind words.

[@trackfavorites]

Thank you. Keep it simple...love it.

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome!

[@TheMorningLotus]

Brilliant video.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much - glad you liked it!

[@RamKumar-co3ke]

Awesome description. 🎉❤

[@TestifySC]

Thanks very much!

[@miguelectricity]

Very helpful! This video helps me prep for 21.4

[@TestifySC]

Glad it helped. Be sure to read the workout description/movement standards carefully. From the looks of it, both power cleans and cleans (i.e., "full cleans" or "squat cleans") will count for the "clean" in 21.4, and both hang power cleans and hang cleans will count for the "hang clean" in 21.4. In short, the first one has to start from the ground, and the second one cannot touch the ground - it looks like they don't care if the clean is received in a squat or not. Here's the official document: s3.amazonaws.com/crossfitpubliccontent/2-21-3-Scorecards-RxdScaledMasters-sjnhey653bdge523da.pdf (pages 9 and 10)

[@philliplee2008]

Thank you for this explanation! Now it all makes more sense 🙂

[@TestifySC]

You're very welcome, Phillip - glad to help!

[@aaronrieser5468]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your video. But the softness of the audio made it herald to hear at the gym

[@TestifySC]

Thanks for the kind words, Aaron, and yep, you’re dead on about the audio. It’s not great as I hadn’t yet gone out and gotten a separate mic when I made this video, so it’s just my phone’s mic. Since then, I use a separate mic, so you should hopefully notice a sizeable difference in more recent videos.

[@danielharrow5239]

Cool. Very helpful. Love the shirt.

[@TestifySC]

Thanks on all fronts :-)