New Olympic Weightlifting Classes Starting This Month!

Olympic weightlifting is an exciting sport all on its own, and it’s also used in training for a variety of other athletics. In other words, it’s a great discipline to learn to boost your fitness, whether you want to become a competitive lifter or a better athlete in your own game of choice. But to get the benefits without injury, you need to learn to lift properly, and that’s what ICWA’s Olympic Weightlifting Level I classes will help you do.

What You Will Learn

Our Level I Olympic Weightlifting classes teach you the basics of weightlifting, including:

The equipment

Olympic Weightlifting Level I is suitable for anyone, whether you’ve ever been in a weight room or not. We take the time to introduce you to the equipment and show you how to properly load your barbell and secure the bumper plates with a collar.

We also introduce you to some of the most common gear lifters use for safety and performance, including chalk and tape.

Proper form and technique

Olympic Weightlifting challenges the limits of a human’s explosive strength. So, trained athletes often lift loads heavier than their own body weight. In order to prevent injury, lifts need to be done properly, keeping the joints in line and positioning your feet and body for maximum “explosion.” Olympic Weightlifting Level I shows you how it’s done.

Competition lifts

What would an Olympic Weightlifting class be without learning the actual competition lifts? You’ll learn the basics:

Snatch—this lift involves raising the loaded barbell from the ground to an overhead position (with arms locked) in one continuous motion. Done properly, there are actually five phases of movement in this lift to bring the barbell off the floor and overhead.

Clean and Jerk—this technique is actually two lifts:

• The clean raises the barbell from the floor to a position level with your collarbone
• The jerk raises the barbell from shoulder-level to an overhead position with arms and legs straight

In Level I Olympic Weightlifting classes, instructors are focused on perfecting your form rather than increasing your weight, so you never need to feel intimidated.

The Health Benefits

By learning proper form for weightlifting, you are equipped to safely incorporate weightlifting into your training repertoire, and that comes with a host of benefits. The increased muscle strength you develop in Olympic Weightlifting:

• Increases your basal metabolic rate—muscle burns more calories than fat. Enough said.
• Makes everyday tasks easier—when you’re stronger, you’ll be amazed and the ease with which you can push a vacuum, open jars, lift your kids, etc.
• Strengthens bones and joints—your body responds to increased pull on the bones and connective tissues by reinforcing them. Calcium is retained and sent to the bones for increased density, and tendons and ligaments are similarly fortified.
• Boosts confidence—simply put, being able to lift like an Olympian makes you feel like a badass.

The benefits of Olympic Weightlifting can be enjoyed by athletes of any age.

What You Need to Start

To begin Olympic Weightlifting Level I classes at ICWA, all you need to do is register. Contact us to sign up. You don’t need any fancy equipment or new shoes. Show up in athletic attire, and you’re ready. Everything else is provided at the gym.