Power Jerk
A expert olympic weightlifting exercise for the quads, done with a barbell.
How to do the Power Jerk
- Standing with the weight racked on the front of the shoulders, begin with the dip. With your feet directly under your hips, flex the knees without moving the hips backward. Go down only slightly, and reverse direction as powerfully as possible.
- Drive through the heels create as much speed and force as possible, and be sure to move your head out of the way as the bar leaves the shoulders.
- At this moment as the feet leave the floor, the feet must be placed into the receiving position as quickly as possible. In the brief moment the feet are not actively driving against the platform, the athletes effort to push the bar up will drive them down. The feet should be moved to a slightly wider stance, with the knees partially bent.
- Receive the bar with the arms locked out overhead.
- Return to a standing position.
Sets and reps
| Strength | 3–5 sets of 3–5 reps, rest 2–3 minutes |
|---|---|
| Muscle | 3–4 sets of 6–10 reps, rest about 2 minutes |
| Endurance or fat loss | 2–3 sets of 12–15 reps, rest 60–90 seconds |
Log every set in MyoStats and it works out your estimated one-rep max and suggests the next weight or rep target, so you keep progressing without guessing.
Alternatives to the Power Jerk
Overhead SquatBarbell · Expert
Snatch from BlocksBarbell · Expert
Clean from BlocksBarbell · Intermediate
Clean PullBarbell · Intermediate
Frankenstein SquatBarbell · Intermediate
Hang CleanBarbell · Intermediate
Hang Clean - Below the KneesBarbell · Intermediate
Heaving Snatch BalanceBarbell · Intermediate
Questions
What muscles does the Power Jerk work?
Mainly the quads, with the abs, calves, glutes, hamstrings, shoulders and triceps helping.
Is the Power Jerk good for beginners?
It's rated expert. Beginners can build up to it with a simpler variation first.
What can I do instead of the Power Jerk?
Good alternatives that train the quads: Overhead Squat, Snatch from Blocks, Clean from Blocks or Clean Pull.
How many sets and reps of the Power Jerk should I do?
Strength: 3–5 sets of 3–5 reps, rest 2–3 minutes. Muscle: 3–4 sets of 6–10 reps, rest about 2 minutes. Endurance or fat loss: 2–3 sets of 12–15 reps, rest 60–90 seconds.
Exercise steps and photos: free-exercise-db (public domain).