The USA Weightlifting Podcast - podcast cover

The USA Weightlifting Podcast

USA Weightliftingwww.spreaker.com
This is the official Podcast of USA Weightlifting. Spend some time with hosts and Olympians Cheryl Haworth and Chad Vaughn as they interview the athletes and coaches you want to hear and learn from, and review the competitions you want to know about. You will be able to draw inspiration and motivation from their collective personal stories and experiences, as well as always leave with at least a few immediately applicable tips from content that will range from training to technique to competition readiness and strategies. We here at USA Weightlifting are very excited to provide this to the weightlifting community and other interested parties, and we are thankful for the opportunity to further support the sport that we all love! We appreciate you listening and hope you enjoy!
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Episodes

The Zen of Weightlifting

Today we talk about the calm, presence, and focus you should have for optimal lifting and performance. Tune in for our perspectives and suggestions on how you can obtain and hone these critical characteristics and skills. Enjoy the show!

Jun 07, 202556 min

The Pull Under

In this episode we are discussing an exercise we are calling a “pull under”, which can be performed with the clean or the snatch grip, and is one of my favorite exercises and one I’ve made an adjustment to, to add to my own teaching progressions. Tune in to hear about the purpose of the modification, and all the ways you can benefit from isolating the pull under portion of your lifts. Enjoy the show!

May 26, 202535 min

Cleans & Snatches Sittin in a Tree...

In this recording we are considering how combining cleans and snatches together in the same set as a complex might help overcome faults that are isolated to one lift or the other. Tune in to hear how you can give this a try in your own training if you feel it is indicated. Enjoy the show!

Apr 25, 202530 min

Get Swole 2

Today we are circling back around to considering the benefits of Bodybuilding towards your Olympic lifting potential, as well as your health and longevity as an athlete and human. Tune in to hear our updated and additional suggestions on the topic. Enjoy the show!

Apr 14, 202540 min

The Finish

Today we are giving terms and defining the portion of the lift where the greatest speed is in need, which includes your body reaching its highest point before going under the bar, as well as the pulling of your body under the bar and the subsequent lockout. Hence, finishing the “pull” of the lift. Additionally, we discuss how and why at times we can feel off or slow through this range, and give some considerations on how you can and when it will, or should, feel better. Enjoy the show!

Mar 27, 202543 min

The Power Clean

In this episode we are considering the importance of the power clean when it comes to your potential in the clean, and your overall Olympic lifting ability. We give our takes on athletes who might need to do more power cleans, and those that might need to do less or even none at all. Additionally, we suggest some ways to incorporate them into your training, as well as some standards that would benefit you to adopt. Enjoy the show!

Mar 15, 202549 min

Navigating Knee Pain

In this recording we are talking through our experiences with the common occurrence of knee pain, and give some suggestions on how you can consider navigating through, if it is ever an issue for you. Enjoy the show!

Feb 12, 202551 min

Most Common Mobility Issue

Today we are discussing what we feel is the most common mobility issue present in the community, how you can assess and gauge where you might be in this area, and some examples of some work you can put in to help increase your range of motion if needed. Enjoy the show!

Jan 29, 202539 min

New Year, No Fear

Today we are bringing in the New Year with a conversation about how we should all be reflecting on where we were, what we were working on, and what we accomplished through 2024, and where we want to go now. The Holidays are past us all now and it is time to get back to work, and Cheryl and I have included examples and thoughts of more complexes you can try and perhaps use to continue striving to perfect your technique and to help you reach your goals here in 2025. Enjoy the show!

Jan 10, 202544 min

Holiday Training

In this episode, we are talking through some suggestions to help us all navigate our training and health through the Holidays to finish out the year the best and strongest we can. Enjoy the show!

Dec 20, 202443 min

Greatest Hits: A Weightlifting History Lesson w/Artie Drechsler

This week we are digging deep into the vault and re-releasing an episode we originally recorded in July of 2018 with an absolute GOAT of our sport, Artie Drechsler. Tune in to learn more about this individual who has done so much for our sport, and a ton about the general history of weightlifting. Enjoy the show!

Dec 09, 20241 hr 3 min

The No-Contact Drill

Today, following a little detoured conversation about some of our current superstars American athletes, we discuss how not contacting your body with the bar in the clean or the snatch can be used as a beneficial drill for SOME athletes. To fully grasp this concept, and if it might be an option for you to use to help optimize your movement, you have to understand the importance and the how to actually contacting your body and why it is an optimal advantage, and that not contacting is only a drill...

Nov 21, 202435 min

The Clerk

n this recording, we are talking about the unconventional exercise called the “Clerk”. At first glance, this can look like someone just performing the clean and jerk incorrectly, or at least rushing it to an extreme extent. If that doesn’t give enough of a hint as to what this exercise actually is, tune in to hear the specific description of the movement, and the great purposes it can hold. Enjoy the show!

Nov 05, 202432 min

Proper Program Percentages

Today we are excited to cover a suggestion from another listener; what to do when an athlete is using old or improper maxes to take percentages off of. Tune in as we delve into how this might affect the athlete and the program, and suggestions you can make or conversations you can have with yourself or your athletes to ensure an understanding of why one should use current and correct numbers. Enjoy the show!

Oct 17, 202439 min

The Hookgrip and the Front Rack

In this episode we are debating on whether or not lifters should hold onto their hookgrip within the reception of the clean, as well as considering the use of the hookgrip, or even a full grip within front squats. Tune in to hear our thoughts and tips on the topic. Enjoy the show!

Oct 03, 202436 min

Overthinking

In this recording, we are fulfilling a listener’s request to discuss overthinking. Specifically, how it can negatively affect an athlete’s lifting and progress, and what might help to overcome the issue. Tune in to hear our perspectives on the topic. Enjoy the show!

Sep 17, 202440 min

Olympic Stuff

Today, Cheryl is telling us about her experience as an NBC commentator for the Olympics, as well as gives some general observations and tells us a few stories involving a few of the moments that stuck out the most to her. Additionally, we navigate through an overview of the performances of our own amazing athletes who all represented Team USA so strongly. Enjoy the show!

Aug 26, 202440 min

Effective Squat Programs

In this episode, we are delving into what is the base of any weightlifting training plan; squat programs. There are many to choose from of course, but tune in to hear the specifics of six squat programs that I’ve done regularly in my career as an athlete and coach with much success. I hope that some of you may give at least a few of them a try. Enjoy the show!

Aug 14, 202457 min

When to Cue-When to Drill

In this recording we are talking about when it is most appropriate to give a cue, when it is most appropriate to use a drill, and when and how both might be needed to help change, solidify, or optimize your movement. Enjoy the show!

Jul 29, 202438 min

Jumping To The Side

In this episode, we are considering the occurrence of jumping to one side or the other when a lifter receives their snatches and cleans. Is this something that YOU do in your own lifts? Tune in to learn why this might be happening, and what you can do to begin to address it. Enjoy the show!

Jul 13, 202430 min

Observing Nationals Week

his week we are recapping and giving our thoughts on Nationals week, which took place recently through mid-June, from a commentator’s perspective. It was a great week and a great meet with lots of good, consistent, and big lifting, and it was a pleasure to take part and now unpack here. Enjoy the show!

Jun 28, 202445 min

Weightlifting Mishaps and Adaptabilty

In this recording we are giving some examples of scenarios that may unexpectedly pop up in competition that athletes and coaches will need to adapt to and overcome to have a chance at getting the most out of the day. Tune in to hear our recommendations and a few stories from some of our own experiences. Enjoy the show!

Jun 12, 202448 min

Warming Up with Complexes

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(pause briefly above knee) -Muscle Snatch Strict (standing) -Power snatch from above knee -Overhead squa...

May 23, 202432 min

Training Partner or No

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!

May 09, 202427 min

Observing the Olympic Lifts

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 suggestions on the topic. Enjoy the show!

Apr 28, 202442 min

Qualifying For The Olympics

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!

Apr 15, 202439 min

It's Supposed To Feel Heavy

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 perspectives to hopefully limit any negative comparing that could hinder your mindset and limit your progr...

Apr 09, 202435 min

How Do YOU "Stack" Up?

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 create it and hone it. Enjoy the show!

Mar 18, 202436 min

Jumping Forward within the Olympic Lifts

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 suggestions on how to stay more centered. Enjoy the show!

Mar 10, 202431 min

Slow Down to Speed Up

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!

Feb 22, 202427 min
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