I've been dealing with this off and on for almost a year. The abrupt deceleration when you stop the bar at waist level can irritate your tendons.
A couple of options --
Do power cleans in a power rack, set the j-hooks so they're at about chest level, and after each rep put the bar on the hooks, strip the bar, set the bar on the floor and put the plates back on it. Tedious as hell, but worth considering for heavy singles, I guess.
Elbow stretches can help alleviate the problem (maybe). Here's the text from an Exercise of the Week entry --
EOW Week 10 -- Dec. 22, 2007
Elbow stretches
Contributed by flak
Name of Exercise:
Elbow stretches
What It Is:
Stretches that can help prevent or minimize tendon inflammation on the insides and/or outsides of your elbow joints
What It Accomplishes:
Stretches the tendons at the elbow joints
How to Do It:
There are two exercises, one for the tendons on the insides of the joint, one for tendons on the outside.
Inside stretch -- Stand up straight, arms at your sides. Open your hands with your palms facing the floor. Spread your fingers apart as far as possible -- your fingertips will be pointing to the front. Slowly rotate your hands/forearms outward as far as possible. (Your fingertips will point out to your sides, then toward the back). Keep your palms facing the floor and your arms at your sides while you do this. Once you get to the point where you can't rotate any further, hold for 30 seconds.
Outside stretch -- Stand up straight, arms at your sides. Form your hands into fists, with the backs of your hands pointing forward and your "punching knuckles" pointing toward the ground. Now bend your wrists as though you were trying to make the backs of your hands parallel to the floor (you probably won't be flexible enough to accomplish that, but do your best). Now rotate your fists/forearms outward as far as possible. (The punching knuckles will point out to your sides as you go). Keep your arms at your sides as you do this. Once you get to the point where you can't rotate any further, hold for 30 seconds.
Performance Tips:
The stretches can feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but stick with it.
DO NOT use any kind of outside force to increase the stretch, ie. having another person twist your hand.
Suggested Format:
3 sets of 5 reps, once a day. During lifting sessions where you do pull movements, do the stretches between sets.
Where You Got It:
My physical therapist, when I was seeking help for persistent pain in my right elbow.
Your Experience With It:
These stretches helped reduce my elbow pain, but I haven't been doing them consistently enough.
