So I’ve just joined a cross-fit gym, and I gotta say, I freaking HATE the movements that involve “squat and jumps,” i.e. the clean and snatch. I find it very frustrating because I’m not a coordinated person and these movements involve a lot of coordination. I think I’m frustrating my instructors too because no matter how much I work on them I’m still probably the worst in the class, form-wise.
Anyways, my question is, what is the point of the “squat-and-jump” aspect of it? For instance, in this video, even with the barbell snatch she does a little jump when bringing the bar overhead. Why? Why can’t she just pick the barbell up off the ground and bring it overhead, in the same way as if someone asked you to pick up a broom that was lying on the floor and hold it over your head? (i.e. you’d keep your legs straight and simply bend down, pick it up off the floor, and lift it over your head). Is it because this is the best way to get the most weight off the floor to chest height or higher, because it allows you to use your leg muscles instead of just your arms? Or do they just do this to make it harder for klutzes like me? I would really appreciate an answer that is, for lack of a better word, precise and scientific, because all the coaches talk about is “power” and “explosive movements,” and I’m not sure exactly why these moves are so complicated. Thanks.
