What is Olympic Weightlifting?

In its purest form, Olympic Weightlifting is an athlete attempting a maximum-weight single lift of a barbell loaded with weight plates. The snatch and clean and jerk are the two lifts that are performed in Olympic Weightlifting competition. The objective of the snatch is to lift the barbell from the ground to overhead in one continuous motion. The clean and jerk is a lift that is a composite of two weightlifting movements: the clean and the jerk. The clean portion consists of the lifter moving a weighted barbell from the floor to a racked position across deltoids and clavicles. The jerk portion involves lifting the weight above the head until the arms are straight and the bar is stationary. Olympic Weightlifting is one of the foundations of CrossFit.

Benefits of Olympic Weightlifting

1. Functional Movements: The human body is built in one piece. By lifting the bar from the ground to overhead, the entire body is in motion. As one begins the slow process of adding weight, the entire body compensates by getting bigger and stronger. Total body movements reflect the functional movements in day-to-day activities.
2. Cardiovascular: In a curl, the bar may move twelve inches. When doing a clean and jerk, the bar moves from the floor to overhead, upwards of seven and a half feet! Every major muscle in the body is used. A tough set of snatches will leave you out of breath, dripping with sweat, and have your heart racing. All this without even having to do traditional, boring cardio such as the treadmill!
3. Efficiency: Olympic Weightlifting workouts are efficient. Each lift combines cardio and strength training for all major muscle groups. Olympic Weightlifting workouts usually consist of an hour and a half long class.  Our coaches emphasize that every lift be performed to perfection.