What Is Olympic Weightlifting, Exactly?

snatchWeightlifting is recognized as an essential activity to build and tone muscles as well as improve endurance and explosive strength. But not all weightlifting is Olympic weightlifting. What is Olympic weightlifting, exactly? It is a competitive weightlifting event governed by the rules and guidelines of the U.S. (and International) Olympic Committee.

Olympic Weightlifting Objective
Of course the object of competitive weightlifting is to lift the more weight than your competitors, but there is more to it than that. The amount of weight attempted varies by weight class, which is different for men and women. All lifts must be executed according to Olympic standards, and there are two or three judges who evaluate if a lift is successfully completed for failed.

Olympic Weightlifting Lifts
There are two types of lifts performed for Olympic weightlifting events:

• Snatch
• Clean and Jerk

While both movements require lifting a weighted barbell from the floor to Continue reading What Is Olympic Weightlifting, Exactly?