All Things Gym

Best of Olympic Weightlifting

  • ATG Shirts
  • Patreon
  • ATG Podcast
  • Rep Max Calculator
  • Contact
    • About
Home » barbell complex » Donny Shankle Barbell Complex

Donny Shankle Barbell Complex

December 29, 2011 By Gregor Winter

Now here is a manly Barbell Complex. (named the Shankle Complex)

Donny Shankle doing

  • 3 x Pulls with Shrugs
  • 1 x Hang Clean
  • 2 x Jerk

… with 190 kg. Like a toy. (Edit: Here he tries it with 200 kg)

Here is what Glenn Pendlay has to say:

The main reason we do an exercise like this is because it keeps the bar in the hands for an extended period, and this is a great builder of muscle and strength. In this case, Donny has the bar in his hands with no relief for over 20 seconds.

As far as the details, we do the 3 pulls with a “rythm” and no pause to make sure that the athlete is not getting pulled off balance. We use a shrug at the top because it fatigues the upper back, making the jerks more difficult.

Those that have trouble succeeding on jerks after a difficult clean, or those who have good jerk technique with moderate weights which breaks down with heavy weights seem to get the most from this exercise. And of course, those who are trying to put on muscle or move up a weight class.

One last thing, we dont really have a name for it. Anyone care to suggest one? (via)

Filed Under: barbell complex, clean and jerk, Donny Shankle, jerk, shrugs, videos, weightlifting

About Gregor Winter

Hi, I run ATG.

Follow me on instagram @gregorwinter (and ATG @atginsta).

Support ATG
Support ATG on Patreon ATG Shirts
ATG Shirts on Hookgrip All Things Gym Instagram
All Things Gym Patreon
All Things Gym YouTube
All Things Gym Tiktok
All Things Gym Facebook
All Things Gym Twitter

Featured Posts

Reverse Muscle Ups to L Sit Iron Cross

behdad-salimi-225kg-power-clean-jerk (1)

Behdad Salimi 225kg Power Clean & Jerk

tia-tao-push-ups

Tian Tao Weighted Push Ups Almaty 2014 Worlds Training Hall

Lasha Talakhadze’s Last Heavy Training Before Snatch World Record

dmitry-klokov-210kg-push-press

Dmitry Klokov 210kg Push Press

New Romaleos ColorEuropeans Try RogueEurope.eu

Copyright © 2025 · Gregor · All Things Gym