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Single-ArmKettlebell CleanPendulum CleansBallistic

Single Arm Pendulum Clean

Featured Video

Kettlebell Clean Tutorial for Beginners

If you're getting lower back pain, bruised forearms, blisters, or calluses, or the bell banging down on your forearm, during the kettlebell clean. None of that is bad luck, and none of it means you need to go lighter, buy gloves or forearm protection. By the end of this video, you'll know exactly where in the movement each one comes from and how to correct it.

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Quick Answer
BallisticKettlebell Clean
Feels Like

A crisp kettlebell drive through pendulum backswing and pendulum forward swing, then a controlled rack fixation.

Photos (8)

Adjusting the dials updates the Muscle target & Joint actions below.

Exercise Execution (7 steps)

Setup
Execution
Return
Muscle targetas performed — open Program to explore
Biceps BrachiiPrime
BrachialisPrime
Deltoid (Anterior)Prime
SupinatorPrime
Adductor Magnus2nd
Biceps Femoris (Long Head)2nd
Brachioradialis2nd
Coracobrachialis2nd
Deltoid (Posterior)2nd
Dorsal Interossei (Hand)2nd
Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis (Hand)2nd
Flexor Digitorum Profundus2nd
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis2nd
Gluteus Maximus2nd
Latissimus Dorsi2nd
Lumbricals (Hand)2nd
Palmar Interossei2nd
Pectoralis Major (Clavicular)2nd
Pectoralis Major (Sternal)2nd
Pronator Teres2nd
Semimembranosus2nd
Semitendinosus2nd
Teres Major2nd
Triceps Brachii2nd
Stabilizers — held, not moved
AnconeusFlexor Carpi RadialisIliacusIliocostalisInfraspinatusInterspinalesLongissimusMultifidusPectineusPectoralis MinorPronator QuadratusPsoas MajorQuadratus LumborumRectus FemorisRhomboid MajorRhomboid MinorRotatoresSartoriusSemispinalis ThoracisSerratus AnteriorSpinalisSubscapularisSupraspinatusTensor Fasciae LataeTeres MinorTransversus AbdominisTrapezius (Lower)Trapezius (Middle)
Joint actions — updates with your dials
Elbow FlexionForearm SupinationShoulder FlexionFinger FlexionHip ExtensionShoulder ExtensionElbow ExtensionForearm PronationHip FlexionScapular DepressionScapular RetractionSpine Extension

Common Mistakes

22

Some mistakes depend on how the exercise is being trained. A cue may apply to the default execution, a tempo variation, a specific return style, or a coaching focus rather than every rep.

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Quick-log a single result for Pendulum Clean (1RM, max reps, or time). PBs are detected automatically when you beat your previous score.

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Your Pendulum CleanExample
40 repsWeek 150 repsWeek 360 repsWeek 565 repsWeek 7EXAMPLE

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Reps Per Minute

18
Low
20
Medium
22
High

Where this is covered

Every place we teach the pendulum clean — videos, course lessons, books and workouts.

Videos

Covered in books

  • Kettlebell Training Fundamentals$24.95 · In membershipSee the book

Workouts that use it

1

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Joint Actions

Prime Movers

Secondary

Stabilizers

Tap a joint action to see involved muscles

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