Dynamic or explosive lifts like the power clean and high pull are terrific exercises—however for some reason people have a problem with them.

I’ve read in a popular muscle magazine (just recently in fact) about how dangerous explosive lifts are.

And it really bugs me.

The person who said this was and is a respected member of the bodybuilding community.

The trouble is this comment has no substance to it.

Why?

Simple.

Any lift can be dangerous if it is done with improper form—no question about it.

But what about the man or woman who reads about the power clean—again for example—and wants to try it, but goes about it the right way.

Let’s say he or she asks around and finds a competent teacher of the lift and learns how to do it right—from the beginning.

Will our imaginary lifter have any problems?

Chances are they would not, and here is the kicker—they will have just learned a new exercise that they can add into their program—for variety, whenever they want.

Of course, the opposite is also true.

If our imaginary lifter does not take the time to ACTUALLY learn to do the power clean right—and ignores the advice of more experience people who KNOW how to do the lift.

Then yes, chances are he or she will get hurt and then complain about how horrible the dynamic lifts are.

SOME POINTS

When most people here the word dynamic or explosive along with the word lifting I feel they automatically assume that this means that you will be jerking the weight around and or doing something unsafe.

I feel THIS is where the negative aspect comes from—however anyone who has done or who has at least studied lifts like the power clean KNOWS that you are not cheating or jerking the weight.

Also, as stated above, if you have never done any dynamic lifting before, take the time to learn how to do lifts like the power clean CORRECTLY from the beginning.

CONCLUSION

Explosive lifts like the power clean or high pulls are wonderful exercises—but they need to be learned and you must respect the lift just like you do any other exercise—otherwise you could get hurt.

So please, if you ever read or here about such-and-such exercise being dangerous, take the time to investigate the claim and see if it has any merit or if it is just a bunch of hooey.

If you don’t you may be missing out on something that you might benefit from.

Until Next Time

ALWAYS TRY