What is Weightlifting?
Weightlifting, or also commonly referred to as Olympic Weightlifting, is one of the oldest Olympic sports having appeared in the first Olympic Games in 1896. It is a sport in which the athlete attempts a maximum weight in a single lift of the barbell.
There are two competition lifts. The snatch which is a wide grip lift taking the barbell from the floor to overhead in one movement, and the Clean and Jerk which requires a closer grip taking the barbell from the floor to your shoulders before transferring to overhead. Athletes compete in different weight categories and against others of the same gender.
While weightlifting is a sport within itself it is also used by athletes from a variety of sporting backgrounds to develop explosive and functional strength, mobility and co-ordination.
As well as for competitive and sporting reasons many use Weightlifting to help promote a healthy lifestyle and to improve their fitness for everyday life. Together with the snatch and clean and jerk training will involve classical lifts such as the squat, shoulder press and deadlift. These along with a variety of other exercises help to promote better body mechanics, strength and overall wellbeing which can be carried over into your life outside of the gym.
