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Writer's pictureAmiee Illenberg

Mastering the Snatch Grip Sotts Press

Updated: May 4, 2023

Welcome to the world of weightlifting, where today's focus is the Snatch Grip Sotts Press. In this blog, we'll dive deep into the benefits of this exercise, proper form and technique, common mistakes, and how to incorporate it into your workout routine.


A Comprehensive Guide

Snatch Grip Sotts Press
Snatch Grip Sotts Press

This challenging exercise, named after the legendary Russian weightlifter Viktor Sots, combines the snatch grip and overhead press while sitting in a squat position. The Snatch Grip Sotts Press is a powerful tool for developing strength, stability, and flexibility in the shoulders, upper back, and hips.

 

Benefits of the Snatch Grip Sotts Press:


1. Improved shoulder mobility and stability: The overhead press in the squat position forces your shoulders to work on their mobility and stability simultaneously.

2. Enhanced upper back strength: The snatch grip position places more emphasis on the upper back muscles, helping to improve posture and overall back strength.

3. Increased hip and ankle flexibility: By performing the exercise in a deep squat, you'll work on hip and ankle flexibility, which is crucial for weightlifting.

4. Better core strength: Maintaining balance and stability during the Sotts Press challenges the core muscles.


Proper Form and Technique:


1. Start by setting up a barbell with a snatch grip.

2. Squat down, keeping your chest up, and your back straight.

3. Position the barbell on your upper back, with your elbows pointing down.

4. Take a deep breath and brace your core.

5. Press the barbell overhead while maintaining a stable squat position. Remember to keep your chest up and your elbows locked out overhead.

6. Lower the barbell back to your upper back and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.


Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them:


1. Inadequate shoulder mobility: If you struggle with shoulder mobility, start with a wider grip and gradually work on narrowing your grip to your snatch grip as your mobility improves.

2. Insufficient squat depth: Make sure to squat as deep as possible while maintaining proper form. If needed, use a med ball or stacked plates to raise the depth some.

3. Losing balance: Focus on keeping your chest up and your core engaged throughout the entire movement. If necessary, practice the Sotts Press with a PVC pipe or empty barbell to improve balance and stability.


Incorporating the Snatch Grip Sotts Press into Your Workout:


The Snatch Grip Sotts Press can be a great addition to your warm-up routine, as a primer or as an accessory exercise on your upper body or Olympic lifting days. Start with lighter weights and higher repetitions (8-10 reps) to focus on form and mobility. As you become more proficient with the exercise, you can increase the weight and lower the repetitions (3-5 reps) to build strength.



The Snatch Grip Sotts Press is a challenging yet rewarding exercise that can help you break through plateaus and unlock new levels of strength, mobility, and performance. Be patient and consistent in your practice, and you'll soon reap the benefits of this unique and effective movement.

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