Well, I don’t know if it’s the mother of all exercises, but it’s definitely up there. The old time strong men definitely believed in the Clean and Press (C&P). They felt one of the best ways to get strong was to lift things off the ground and press them overhead.
The C&P not only works all your muscles, but it works out your cardio/endurance as well. If you go for high reps, you will get winded. And by high, I mean like 10 reps.
What muscles does it work?
If you take a close look at the C&P, you will notice that it kind of goes from a deadlift, to an upright row and then to a military press.
So then it works the legs, glutes, lower back, middle back, upper back, core, biceps, shoulders, traps, triceps, forearms, and some chest. Wow, talk about Bang for your Buck.
What can you C&P?
You can pretty much use any of the equipment available out there to do the Clean and Press. You can use Barbells, Dumbbells, Kettlebells, Sandbags, and even your Children.
Going out for a bike ride, Clean & Press your bike a few times. Works better if you have a heavy bike. Feel like just getting some blood flowing? C&P your dining room chair. Just make sure your ceilings are high enough.
Anything that you can lift overhead can be used. Shoot, I deadlift my HP printer. It weighs in at around 45 pounds. But, it’s bulky. so it feels way heavier than a 45# barbell.
The C&P is a great exercise and I think it should be added to any strength program.
How to do the Clean & Press:
photo credit: barbell
|
|
|
|