Why You Should Train Using Olympic Weightlifting Techniques

Benefits of Olympic Weightlifting

You are probably wondering what makes Olympic Weightlifting a better choice for resistance trainingthan others forms. Weightlifting offers many benefits over bodybuilding, powerlifting, and machines.However, the main reason people do not participate in weightlifting is because they are afraid of gettinginjury, however this is a false assumption that is easily discredited.

Safety and Injury Aspect of Weightlifting

Various studies were done showing Olympic weightlifting to be the safest form of resistance trainingthere is. One study assessed the injury potential and safety aspects of weightlifting movements andOlympic weightlifting proved to be the safest (Stone, Injury). Another aspect that keeps many peopleaway from weightlifting is the supposed fatal injury to the back. Again this is a false assumption spreadthrough ignorance. A study was done comparing weightlifting to a control group of normal active menand their back pain was assessed. It turns out that only 23% of the weightlifters experienced back paincompared to 31% of the normal active men (Granhed). Another study was performed concerning theinjury per 100 hours and yes again weightlifting faired better than other forms of resistance training. Infact, for weightlifters the injury rate was less than half of the other forms of weight training (Hamill).Weightlifting training and competitions together are much safer than other sports such as football, basketball, soccer, etc (Stone, Muscle). It is clear to see that Olympic weightlifting is an extremely safeform of resistance training and sport for people to participant in.

Body Composition Effects

Another benefit of weightlifting is the amount of muscles used in the lifts. The Olympic lifts involve basically every muscle in the human body and this entails a great workout. Olympic weightlifting alsoforces stabilizer muscles to activate to secure the weight overhead in the lifts. For a recreational lifter Olympic weightlifting will cut down on the exercise time, allowing them to get done in 45 minutes to 1hour what they used to do in "traditional splits" for 1.5 hours or more! In an 8 week Olympicweightlifting program study, participants lowered their resting heart rate by 8%, lean body weightincreased by 4%, fat dropped 6%, and systolic blood pressure decreased by 4% (Stone, Cardiovascular). Not only is Olympic weightlifting safe it is a great way to stay in shape too!

Athletic Ability

Another important benefit of Olympic weightlifting is it teaches the body to fire all the muscle fibers atonce; to explode in a sense (not literally). An 8 week study was done showing the capability of theOlympic lifts to improve sport performance and vertical jump ability. A study was performed and a groupof lifters did various Olympic lifts (High pulls, Power Clean, and Clean and Jerk), and were compared toa group using vertical jump exercises (Single and Double Leg Hurdles Hops, Alternated Single-legHurdle Hops, etc) and after the 8 weeks of training the Olympic weightlifting group had significantlyincreased their 10 meter sprint speed and their standing jump over the control group using standardvertical jump exercises (Tricoli). Similarly a 15 week study was also performed using football players andcompared a powerlifting program to an Olympic weightlifting program for athletic performance. After the15 week study was over the Olympic weightlifting group had a significant improvement in the vertical jump and 40 meter sprint over the powerlifting group (Hoffman JR). Clearly there are athletic benefitsthat come from incorporating weightlifting into a sport training program and similarly Olympicweightlifters are also known for developing great athletic ability.

Effect on Bone Mineral Density

Olympic weightlifting can also help prevent osteoporosis. To put it simply the greater the bone mineraldensity (BMD) the less chance of osteoporosis occurring. Bone mineral density measures the mineraldensity, such as calcium, in the bones. Calcium is also constantly being added and removed from bonesand when it is removed faster than it is added then the bones become weaker and are more susceptible to