The USA Weightlifting Podcast

This week we are talking about complexes, which are combinations of different variations of a snatch, a clean, or a jerk. Tune in to hear why you might use them in your training, and how you can implement them into your warm ups with purpose. Enjoy the show! Snatch Specifc Warm Up Complex (empty bar) 2 Rounds -Round 1 to be done barefoot 1 round = 5 reps each of: -Snatch Grip Romanian Deadlift(pau...

In this episode we are considering the benefits of having a training partner or training with a group, as well as some benefits to training completely alone. Tune in to hear about our experiences in both settings, and our recommendations on the topic. Enjoy the show!

In today’s recording we talk about how it is easy, especially for a newcomer, to look at a lift and just see general speed or strength, or a made or missed attempt. But, if someone is trying to learn and best understand the Olympic lifts, where should or can they direct their eye when observing a snatch, clean, or a jerk? What should they notice? What is most important? Tune in to hear our suggest...

In this episode we’re excited to announce that the 2024 Olympic Team has been named! Along with stating exactly who you can expect to see on this premier stage, we tell a few stories about our own journeys of chasing the Olympic Dream, and how the processes have changed. Enjoy the show!

In today’s recording we are considering how difficult weightlifting is in general on an individual basis. Is it harder for some athletes than others when it comes to technique, training, and ultimately lifting heavy? Do some athletes have to do something extra special to lift heavy and then recover from those efforts whereas for others its just all easy? On this topic we want to provide our perspe...

In this episode we are talking about the imperativeness of being able to stack your body and the bar in your key support positions. If this straight line is not seen in your lifting, it is important to understand whether it is a lack of awareness or knowledge, something missing in your technique, or limited mobility. Tune in to hear our definition of what a good stacked position is, and how to cre...

Today we are explaining why we feel that if you are jumping forward ANY AMOUNT when you receive your snatches or cleans, you are not moving as efficiently as you could be. Be sure to check where your feet are landing in relation to where they are starting to know if you are in need of some attention in this area, and tune in to to understand the potential root causes of jumping forward and some su...

In this episode we are trying to inspire you to check your speed. Are you taking your time enough in the set up? Are you initiating the movement at a rate that you can maintain tension, position, and overall quality throughout the remainder of the lift? Tune in to hear our suggestions on how, where, and why to potentially SLOW yourself down! Enjoy the show!

In this episode we are discussing the involvement of school-aged kids in our sport, how one could partake in that type of recruitment, and how to inspire them and set them up to continue lifting. Tune in to hear our perspectives and recommendations on the topic. Enjoy the show!

Today we’re answering one of the most common questions that we get from athletes as coaches, which is, “when should I compete?” With this, they are asking, and perhaps you are wondering yourself, if we think that they are READY to compete. Tune in to hear our thoughts on what you should consider when you are thinking about jumping into your first competition. Enjoy the show!

In this first episode of the new year, we are talking about the act of setting goals, specifically in the year of 2024. We consider the basics of setting goals in weightlifting in general, but also how it might be different, or what types of things we might all need to be aware of as we are planning out what we’d like to accomplish now, versus 10 or 20 or 30 years ago for example. Tune in to hear...

In this episode we are discussing the portion of the snatch and clean that begins when the bar is at the level of the knees, and ends once the bar reaches the hips, or rather, the “power position”. This small segment is known by many in the community as the “scoop”, since done correctly, a scooping action can be perceived as the knees maneuver underneath and forward of the bar as it rises to the h...

Today we are once again talking about the jerk. Specifically, we compare the styles of the split jerk, the power jerk, the push jerk, and the squat jerk. What exactly are each and what are their benefits, advantages, and disadvantages; and which might be best for you? Enjoy the show!

In this episode we are considering the benefit of Bodybuilding, in the sense of isolating different areas of the body with specific exercises and rep schemes, for your Olympic lifting potential and insurance as an athlete. Tune in to hear our general recommendations on how you can incorporate this concept into your training. Enjoy the show!

In our recording today we are fulfilling a listener request to cover the split position. We discuss and give each of our own suggestions on how to find it, what leg should go forward and what leg should go back, load distribution, and overall optimal characteristics of this distinguished position within the split jerk. Enjoy the show!

In this episode we are discussing a few of our favorite accessory exercises as examples of how important it is to include accessory exercises in general in your training plan. This includes a definition of what these exercises actually are, compared to the more common core exercises you typically see in a weightlifting program, and how you can incorporate them. Enjoy the show!

In our recording today we are talking about the phenomenon of missing a snatch behind on your first attempt, then missing it in front on your second attempt, before finally hitting it right down the middle for a solid make on your third. We consider how and why this happens, and how you can be prepared to put a halt to it before this all too common, strong pattern takes over your competition or tr...

In this episode we are dissecting the front rack position. We consider how your grip width lends to it being less or more effective, and also confirm a method you can use to measure and optimize your clean grip. Additionally, we offer some thoughts on how to progress into any necessary adjustments. Enjoy the show!

In this episode we are defining and giving specific characteristics to the extension position within the snatch, clean, and even the jerk. As a preview, the extension position is the highest point your body reaches before pulling your body under the bar in the snatch and clean, or pushing under in the jerk. Tune in to hear more about this critical position and execution point from our perspectives...

In this episode we are talking about the struggles that most all of us will have at some point in competition, or training, and the factors involved that might contribute to them. In the end we want to do the best we can to eliminate excuses, but also understand that excuses, or reasons why you might not have done as well as you wanted, are actually real and legitimate factors to our lack of succe...

In this episode we are joined by Coach Edward Baker of Voodoo Weightlifting to talk about the Frog Stance. The Frog Stance can be used in the set up of the snatch and clean and the characteristic “frog” look is created with the heels touching while the toes and knees are turned out. Though it is uncommon to see, especially on the elite level, we explore the possibility of it being a good option, o...

In this episode we discuss how competitions PR’s differ from training PR’s, and also how they relate. Listen in to hear our perspectives on how you can use both pieces of information to help you reach your goals. Enjoy the show!

Today we are considering how realistic it is for masters athletes to bread personal records? Should a coach ever tell them it is not likely if such a pursuit is potentially hindering their progress and goals in other areas? As you will hear, we feel there are a number of factors at play here, and ways to keep motivated and on track for your best results whether those are PR’s or not. Enjoy the sho...

In this episode we discuss the early arm bend, and whether or not it is wrong, ok, or it depends. Tune in to hear our opinions and recommendations on the topic. Enjoy the show!

Today we are considering whether or not it is ok to jump back when you receive your snatches and cleans? Many athletes consistently jump back only an inch or 2, and others jump back random amounts from rep to rep. So, how much is too much, and how can one find and develop some consistency with where their feet are landing in relation to where they started at the beginning of the lift? Tune in to h...