Forearm length and cleans

[Davidobeid]

Hi Mark,

In Starting Strength you mention people with unusually long forearms who might be unable to hold the bar at the deltoids while keeping elbows up.

Dumb question, but how exactly do I tell if this is my problem or if I'm merely lacking flexibility? For the life of me I can't get my hands anywhere near the right spot with elbows up!

Help!

[Mark Rippetoe]

Post a picture.

[StrongLiftMyBalls]

Post a picture.

Also I guess Mark will says this once there is a photo, but when you start out its very unusual to have the flexibility to hold the position correctly and comfortably right away.

Wrist and elbow stretches...

[Thomas Jones]

I am cursed with long forearms but, thankfully, blessed with decent flexibility. I have no difficulty getting to the rack position, but can only get my fingertips on the bar because of the forearm length. Jerking from there is very difficult.

At least I thought so, until I saw Lu Xiaojun jerk about 450# at less than 170#:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/wei...-possibilities

[Davidobeid]

I'll post a picture tonight.

Thanks.

[Davidobeid]

Here are a couple of pics:

http://db.tt/lesT4Qm7

http://db.tt/D8ctvZTB

[Mark Rippetoe]

You're right, long forearms. The bar will float above the delts when you press.

[stef]

In Starting Strength you mention people with unusually long forearms who might be unable to hold the bar at the deltoids while keeping elbows up.

As far as your cleans go, the pictures look workable for the clean since the bar appears to be on the shoulder. You can develop flexibility over time so you're externally rotated at the rack position. This will make your rack much more comfortable. See discussion in the book.

[Davidobeid]

As far as your cleans go, the pictures look workable for the clean since the bar appears to be on the shoulder. You can develop flexibility over time so you're externally rotated at the rack position. This will make your rack much more comfortable. See discussion in the book.

The bar does sit on my shoulders but only just. I barely get my finger tips to the bar and am pretty sure I couldn't hold it there with even a few kg on the ends.

Do I just do lots of empty bar work until I loosen up?

Apologies in advance for the dumb questions, and thanks for the help. It really is much appreciated.

[dws]

I can't get the empty bar to sit on my shoulders for anything, but once I get it up to around 95# (bar and plates), it sits there pretty as you please without even loosening my grip. Your mileage may vary, as I'm not sure if my problem is flexibility or anthropometry.