Thread: Olympic lifts

Determination. Train like a Champion.

Originally Posted by ExiledX66

I've been checking out olympic lifts to see what makes them so special.
They all seem to involve jumping or swinging the weight in some form. Im sure there is good reasons for doing these lifts since olympic competitors do use them, but I never see any normal guys training at the gym doing them.
So what the hell? does anyone practice these, and if so why?

a) they defenitly don't involve swinging.

b) the jump doesn't happen on purpose. sometimes your feet leave the ground as you srug forefully. but, you should not contiously choose to jump. try and stay on the gtound as long as possible.

c) most people don't do them because they are hard to teach and harder to learn. they take a lot of time to perfect technique. most people don't have the patience. without good technique you wont get the benfit you desire out of them.

Are they significantly more effective in producing strength than standard lifts?
They all seem to involve using many body parts, if not the entire body.
I would think that if they really delivered results, your average weight trainer would jump all over them.
In any case, your saying this is something you can not learn by looking at pictures and reading directions?

Originally Posted by ExiledX66

Are they significantly more effective in producing strength than standard lifts?
They all seem to involve using many body parts, if not the entire body.
I would think that if they really delivered results, your average weight trainer would jump all over them.
In any case, your saying this is something you can not learn by looking at pictures and reading directions?

The average weightlifter does not do them because of the form and skill involved to do it properly. Not to mention they will make you work like no other exercise will. You call the average weight trainer average for a reason...average does not go above and beyond and push the limits which is required with olympic lifting.

The olympic lifts are a true test of raw power, intricate balance, perfected technique, complete neuro-muscular coordination.

Olympic lifters start with the core and build their strength inside outwards where most, especially bodybuilders, build from outside inward. Everything an olymic lifter does is to build functional power and not cute abs and pretty biceps.

Olympic lifters are the ferrari's of the lifting status quo. Compare the pysiques of olympic lifters to that of most power lifters and you will think a powerlifting meet could be mistaken for fat ass anonymous. Compare olympic lifter power to that of bodybuilders and you will wonder how most bodybuilders get so big being so weak.

It is a skill deserving of olympic status. While I admire the big three power lifting movements they do not hold a candle to what is required to perform a world class olympic lift.

Sounds like something I should be doing.
I already devote so much time and energy into lifting, why not do it in the best way possible? I dont suppose anyone knows how to get started doing these lifts.

There are some good books and videos out there.

The Weightlifting Encyclopedia is one.

My favorite for just getting your feet wet and learing the exercise is Explosive Lifting and grab the DVD with it. I'm sure P-funk and some others may have other suggestions as well.

Originally Posted by MeatheadSam

The olympic lifts are a true test of raw power, intricate balance, perfected technique, complete neuro-muscular coordination.

Olympic lifters start with the core and build their strength inside outwards where most, especially bodybuilders, build from outside inward. Everything an olymic lifter does is to build functional power and not cute abs and pretty biceps.

Olympic lifters are the ferrari's of the lifting status quo. Compare the pysiques of olympic lifters to that of most power lifters and you will think a powerlifting meet could be mistaken for fat ass anonymous. Compare olympic lifter power to that of bodybuilders and you will wonder how most bodybuilders get so big being so weak.

It is a skill deserving of olympic status. While I admire the big three power lifting movements they do not hold a candle to what is required to perform a world class olympic lift.

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Originally Posted by MeatheadSam

The olympic lifts are a true test of raw power, intricate balance, perfected technique, complete neuro-muscular coordination.

Olympic lifters start with the core and build their strength inside outwards where most, especially bodybuilders, build from outside inward. Everything an olymic lifter does is to build functional power and not cute abs and pretty biceps.

Olympic lifters are the ferrari's of the lifting status quo. Compare the pysiques of olympic lifters to that of most power lifters and you will think a powerlifting meet could be mistaken for fat ass anonymous. Compare olympic lifter power to that of bodybuilders and you will wonder how most bodybuilders get so big being so weak.

It is a skill deserving of olympic status. While I admire the big three power lifting movements they do not hold a candle to what is required to perform a world class olympic lift.

Well Said.

Originally Posted by KarlW

Well Said.

My god, you're back?

Originally Posted by Seanp156

My god, you're back?

Been outa the gym for a while. Just started again. There's a cheap gym 2 min down the road from where I now live. Mind you, you do get what you pay for. I like the atmosphere in cheap gyms, but the equipment (mainly a lack of plates and dumbells) can suck.

Originally Posted by MeatheadSam

The olympic lifts are a true test of raw power, intricate balance, perfected technique, complete neuro-muscular coordination.

Olympic lifters start with the core and build their strength inside outwards where most, especially bodybuilders, build from outside inward. Everything an olymic lifter does is to build functional power and not cute abs and pretty biceps.

Olympic lifters are the ferrari's of the lifting status quo. Compare the pysiques of olympic lifters to that of most power lifters and you will think a powerlifting meet could be mistaken for fat ass anonymous. Compare olympic lifter power to that of bodybuilders and you will wonder how most bodybuilders get so big being so weak.

It is a skill deserving of olympic status. While I admire the big three power lifting movements they do not hold a candle to what is required to perform a world class olympic lift.

Take a look at the powerlifters in the 181 class or so. You definitely won't see any 'fat ass anonymous' members there. Basically, only the guys who are big enough to use the huge weights don't really need to worry about their own BW. But the same applies to weightlifters as well. The SHWs are not too pretty in either sport.

Don't get me wrong, though, I refuse to argue against olympic lifts. They are truly a test of great strength, coordination, power and mental toughness and I love doing them.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

Take a look at the powerlifters in the 181 class or so. You definitely won't see any 'fat ass anonymous' members there. Basically, only the guys who are big enough to use the huge weights don't really need to worry about their own BW. But the same applies to weightlifters as well. The SHWs are not too pretty in either sport.

Don't get me wrong, though, I refuse to argue against olympic lifts. They are truly a test of great strength, coordination, power and mental toughness and I love doing them.

Exactly, many powerlifters have excellent physiques. The ones that don't are usually the ones pushing 900lbs +

Originally Posted by ExiledX66

Are they significantly more effective in producing strength than standard lifts?
They all seem to involve using many body parts, if not the entire body.
I would think that if they really delivered results, your average weight trainer would jump all over them.
In any case, your saying this is something you can not learn by looking at pictures and reading directions?

Your average lifter also uses poor form, looks like shit, is weaker than shit, and never really makes too much progress once past their newbie gains. Don't base anything related to your training off of what you see Joe Lifter do at your local Bally's.

As a side note, of those I've seen perform cleans or power cleans, I have never seen one performed with halfway decent form. I don't consider myself a master of technique or anything, but I can certainly tell when someone just cheat reverse curls the shit up.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

Take a look at the powerlifters in the 181 class or so. You definitely won't see any 'fat ass anonymous' members there. Basically, only the guys who are big enough to use the huge weights don't really need to worry about their own BW.

Agreed. I probably should have made a bit of emphasis on the SHW and HW classes. The lighter classes definitely have a more streamlined and muscular physique.