Kettlebell Clean (Double)

HingeKB

Two kettlebells cleaned simultaneously into a double-rack position, demanding greater hip power output and bilateral coordination — a staple of kettlebell sport and heavier conditioning work.

Demo: StrongFirst

Sets

4

Reps

6-10

Rest

1:30

Contraindications

Higher forearm bruising risk than single-bell cleans while learning — reduce load until the double rack position is mastered. Same general hinge cautions apply.

Setup

Two kettlebells between the feet, hike-back stance as in a double swing.

Execution

  1. 1Hike both bells back simultaneously
  2. 2Drive the hips to bring both bells up together
  3. 3Guide both into the double-rack position, taming each arc
  4. 4Finish standing tall with both bells racked at the shoulders
  5. 5Lower both back into the hinge together for the next rep

Key cues

  • Both bells move as a mirrored pair
  • Tame both arcs equally
  • Hips drive both bells simultaneously
  • Stand tall and stack the rack position
  • Keep elbows close to the ribs at the catch

Common faults

  • One bell arriving before the other (asymmetric timing)
  • Bells banging the forearms on the catch
  • Rounding the back during the double hike
  • Muscling the bells up rather than using hip drive
  • Poor rack position causing the bells to rest on the wrists

Tweaks

  • Double dead clean from a floor reset
  • Combine with double front squats for a complex
  • Use as the entry to double kettlebell presses

Regressions

Kettlebell Clean

Muscles

Primary: Gluteus Maximus, Hamstrings, Forearms

Secondary: Shoulders, Core

Notes

Heavily used in kettlebell sport (GS) training and as the setup lift before double kettlebell pressing work.

Sources

Attribution: StrongFirst