Snatch

The Snatch is an advanced Olympic weightlifting exercise where you lift a barbell from the floor to a full overhead position in one continuous, explosive motion. It develops maximum full-body power, coordination, and mobility, primarily targeting the posterior chain and shoulders.

How Iridium Helps

Because the Snatch is extremely demanding on the central nervous system, our AI utilizes your HRV and sleep data to determine if your recovery status supports high-intensity power training. By analyzing your performance metrics like RPE and weight relative to your history, the app auto-regulates volume in real-time to prevent technical breakdown due to fatigue. Additionally, if you have tracked shoulder or hip mobility limitations, the system can intelligently substitute safer regressions to build power without risking injury.

Form Cues

Do
  • Keep the barbell close to your shins and thighs throughout the pull
  • Extend your hips, knees, and ankles explosively (triple extension)
  • Shrug your shoulders aggressively as you pull under the bar
  • Catch the bar in a deep squat with arms fully locked out
  • Stand up completely before lowering the weight
Don't
  • Don't bend your arms early during the first pull
  • Don't let the barbell swing away from your body
  • Don't catch the bar with soft or bent elbows
  • Don't round your back during the setup or pull
  • Don't jump your feet too wide during the catch

Common Mistakes

  • Pulling with the arms before hips extend
  • Looping the bar away from the body
  • Failing to reach full extension
  • Landing with feet too wide (starfishing)
  • Catching the bar with unstable shoulders

Muscles Worked

The Snatch is a comprehensive power exercise that initiates with the quadriceps and glutes driving the barbell off the floor. As the movement transitions to the explosive second pull, the hamstrings, calves, and upper trapezius generate peak force, while the lateral deltoids and triceps stabilize the heavy load overhead.

Primary

QuadricepsGlutesLateral Deltoid

Secondary

Upper TrapeziusGeneral CoreTriceps Lateral Head

Get Personalized Coaching for Snatch

Don't guess your way through weights or workouts. Download Iridium for automatic, AI-powered coaching that adapts to your recovery and goals.

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