Olympic Lifting Tips and Tricks
For centuries upon centuries, strength has been utilized as a way of showcasing dominance and ability, and while weightlifting, strongman, powerlifting, CrossFit, and Olympic lifting are all hugely popular nowadays, strength competitions are nothing new.
Ancient Egyptian tombs have shown images of Egyptians lifting heavy bags filled with sand, while also taking part in throwing exercises and stone swinging. Weightlifting contests can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, and in fact, it was the organization of these lifting events which eventually led to the formation of the Olympic Games.
Speaking of the Olympics, Olympic lifting is a discipline which is growing in popularity every single year. There is a real technical side of Olympic lifting that goes above and beyond raw power and brute strength, and it is this that some Olympic lifters struggle with to begin with.
If you’re new to Olympic lifting, or if you just want to bring up your lifts, here are several Olympic lifting tips and tricks.
Focus on your squat
Squats are considered by many to be the most functional compound exercise of all, and if you’re serious about becoming a top-class Olympic lifter, you need to really focus on your squat.
A lot of squatters will focus solely on weight when performing this exercise, which can sacrifice the integrity of the lift in some instances as form will make way for brute power. This is not productive if you’re looking to bring up your Olympic lifts.
If you want to improve your Olympic lifting through squats, focus on nailing that squat depth, brace your core, and get your form spot on. If sacrificing a few pounds in weight lifted means perfect form on the squat, that is exactly what you should do.
Work on your mobility
Generally speaking, those who lift weights aren’t the most mobile of individuals. Sure, there are some exceptions, but generally, lifters of any kind will suffer from poor mobility, and in Olympic lifting, that is a big problem.
Many Olympic lifts such as the clean and jerk, or the snatch, require impressive rates of shoulder mobility and so if your shoulders are lacking mobility, that will need addressing if you wish to progress.
Work those hips
When it comes to Olympic lifting, it really is all in the hips.
Regardless of which lift you happen to be performing, make sure to hit complete extension of the hips and you’ll find that your lifts improve and everything else falls into place.
Make sure you perform the actual lifts regularly
When it comes to Olympic lifting, of course accessory work is very important if you want to improve, but the simple fact of the matter is that performing the actual lifts you want to get better at doing is the best way to make progress.
Don’t always work with competition weights because sometimes it’s just as important to go lighter and work on your form and technique. Ultimately however, you need to practice the lifts you’re going to be doing in competition, on a regular basis if you wish to improve.