Olympic lifting brings beauty and beast mode into one graceful movement. The sheer power and technique is a delight to watch during the Summer Olympic Games. The two movements that are considered to be Olympic lifts are the Clean & Jerk and Snatch. The reason for its popularity and known technique to the general public is possibly from Crossfit. Crossfit gave olympic lifting the boost it needed to spark interest among the fitness community.
What is Olympic Lifting exactly?
- Olympic lifting is based on two movements stated above; it combines both explosive power and technique to complete a lift at one’s maximal effort. Most times Oly lifts are commonly performed by elite athletes in other sports to train for both power and functional strength.
How will I benefit from Olympic Lifting?
- Olympic lifting is a whole body movement that requires you to recruit large muscle groups to perform this feat. Because this movement is a whole body exercise these lifts are effective for building muscle quickly and decrease fat composition.
- The benefit extends beyond just aesthetics but biological. Metabolic and hormonal benefits have also been associated with the Olympic lifts. Full body exercises have been shown to increase human growth hormone, which results in healthier and leaner individuals. Also, more calories are burned during Olympic weightlifting workouts.
- It will help increase your power output; in simple terms you will be able to display strength quickly in a short amount of time. With an improvement in power output oly lifts translates into improve jumping ability and sprinting speed.
If you would like to know more about Olympic lifting consult with a Strength and Conditioning Coach or a Trainer who is USAW certified. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new exercise program. Your doctor or other medical provider can assess your general health and tell you if the program is right for you.
