Weightlifting

What does it mean to us?

This one is going to be a lot more simple than our Crossfit explanation.

Weightlifting is specific to strength and movement, whereas CrossFit is a combination of multiple strength and conditioning disciplines. Weightlifting concentrates on three specific movements: The Snatch, the Clean, and the Jerk. These are the lifts you see performed at the Olympics, and you will also be introduced to them in CrossFit. However, if you find yourself longing for a deeper understanding of or a desire to perfect the lifts, then Weightlifting is the class for you. We also have a competition team open to all skill levels if you are interested in scratching your competitive bug. We believe this sport requires more power, grace, and skill than most any other sport contested, and we think you will, too.

How Does USA Weightlifting define it?

"‘Olympic-style’ weightlifting, or officially ‘Weightlifting’ is the style of weightlifting contested at the Olympic Games. The events of weightlifting, or ‘lifts,’ test virtually all of the muscles in an athlete’s body (including but not limited to the legs, the back, the shoulders, the arms, the grip and the core) - more muscles than any other single sport. And because the lifts are performed more widely than any other strength and power testing events in the world with standardized rules, with no assistive equipment, the World and Olympic Champions in the sport of Weightlifting have earned the right to the title of the strongest men and women in the world."

USA Weightlifting ~ Weightlifting 101

"Rationale for use of Weightlifting in training for Sport Performance:

Ground Based - Create force by driving against ground; triple extensionTime Efficient - 1 exercise works multiple muscle groups = Full Body DevelopmentDevelops Kinesthetic awarenessIncreases Muscle Fiber Diameter (Hypertrophy)Increases Neural adaptationsImproved Intramuscular Coordination (Recruitment and Synchronization)Efficient way to train the ‘core’ in healthy population."

USA Weightlifting ~ Sport Performance Coach Manual