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 our perspectives on the topic. Enjoy the show!
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 hips. Tune in to hear more about the desired action through this range and how you can work to perfec...
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 training session. Enjoy the show!
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 and how you can improve upon it. Enjoy the show!
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 success. So, we must accept this concept and recognize the reasons for our misfortunes so that we can use...
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, or even optimal for some athletes. Enjoy the show!
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 show!
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 hear our perspectives and recommendations on the topic. Enjoy the show!
Today we are talking about that uneasy sensation that comes with lack of oxygen or energy, that most of us have felt after a heavy clean. Maybe you see spots or darkness begins to close in, and you’re not quite sure whether to try and save your lift or just dump the weight forward. If this is a regular occurrence for you, it’s worth considering possible roots to the issue, as well as trying out any of our suggestions within this recording. Enjoy the show!
Today we are attempting to explore the consideration of what it feels like to snatch and clean and jerk heavy. Ultimately each athlete will have their own perception on the concept and what it feels like to them, so through the thoughts that we both share, we hope to inspire you to first think about what it feels like to you. Additionally, is there anything you can take from what we’re saying that can perhaps help you shift your perspective to something more beneficial to your lifting? Enjoy the...
Today we are zoning in on the lift off of the snatch and clean, which is the segment between your start position where the weights on the ground, up to the bar reaching the level of above the knees. Tune in to hear our perspectives on this critical piece of your lifting, and our suggestions on how to see it and execute it with the action of squatting in mind. Enjoy the show!
Today we are considering the idea of there being no such thing as a bad training day. Of course we all have days where we are more tired than others, weights feel heavier than usual, we are having a harder time focusing, or we just can’t seem to make our lifts. But, does that mean we have to fall into those circumstances and allow all the negativity that comes with labeling a day, or training session as “bad”? Absolutely not! Tune in to to hear our perspectives and stories on the matter, and a f...
Today we are bringing you another episode in our weightlifting pet peeves series, and with this one we are talking about those that might be over-prioritizing prep work or any other aspect of the process that de-emphasizes or belittles the core working portion of your training. In other words, the sets, reps, and time with the key loaded barbell movements that you have actually set your highest goals with. It might be worth examining what you are currently spending your energy on and if perhaps ...
In this episode, we are covering the “hip snatch”, which is also known as the “high hang snatch”. Specifically, we will discuss how to appropriately snatch from the hip in general, as well as on an individual bases, to get the best transfer into your regular snatch and to help increase your overall Olympic lifting ability. Enjoy the show!
Today we are considering ways that you can improve your overall coordination as an athlete, and optimize your timing with the Olympic lifts. Coordination being the way all of your muscles through your body are working together, and the amounts each are contributing, to perform certain actions within the movement at the optimal times. If you are having trouble with your timing within your Olympic lifts, or being able to make certain changes to your technique, it might be an issue with your coordi...
In this episode we are talking about the how and why of snatch pulls and clean pulls. “Pulls” are essentially an assistant exercise to the snatch and clean that work on varying portions of those lifts, anywhere from the floor up through full extension of the body. The lifter might execute a shrug of the shoulders and extension of the ankles to come up on the toes to mimic full extension; and pulling action with the arms can be added. Needless to say, there are many different variations of a “pul...
Today we are joined by Edward Baker of Voodoo Weightlifting to talk about the life and passing of Coach John Coffee. A pioneer in the sport of weightlifting, John Coffee died on Jan. 22, 2023, at the age of 76. Coffee dedicated more than a half-century to advancing Olympic-style lifting, running the storied Coffee’s Gym from 1980 to 2017 out of Marietta, Georgia. The USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame member is credited with helping develop competitive weightlifting for women in the United States, w...
Today we are discussing how to create back tension and the correct angle in your start position, and how to maintain both from the floor to the knee. It is common to see athletes lose one or both of these through this range in the lift, and left uncorrected can leave kilos on the table. Keep in mind that some athletes let the hips rise purposefully and we’ll cover the why of this in this recording, as well as how to examine yourself to help determine any adjustments you might need to make. Enjoy...
Today we’re talking with Shane Rothlisberger of Versalifts about how elevating your heels can improve your lifting. This of course happens when we wear our weightlifting shoes, but additional elevation can be added with plates or any other elevated surface for warm up and drilling purposes, or with heel inserts to help you get into more efficient and effective positions. Keep in mind that this is NOT a replacement for the mobility work that we should also be doing, but it is a very necessary par...
In this episode we’re talking about distractions and how if we let them, they can have varying extents of control over our training and competitions. We share stories of how we ourselves have let distraction take us over in the past, and how we have navigated around it. We hope these examples and our suggestions can help shed some light on the things that might be distracting you and taking away from your progress and potential, and how you can take a step or 2 towards overcoming. Enjoy the show...
As 2022 comes to a close, we’re taking this time to reminisce on the few key lessons we’ve learned over the past 12 months. It’s been an honor to have your continued support of the USA Weightlifting Podcast and we’re even more excited for the year to come. Tune in for another episode of technique talk and some of our yearly recaps! Enjoy the show.
