Weightlifting is an individual activity where participants lift barbells of varying weight over the head. It tests an athlete's technique and strength. As a sport, it places athletes into categories based on body weight, with athletes competing against others falling in the same bodyweight category. Individuals practice weightlifting to stay in shape and be healthy.
Notably, weightlifting differs from other activities using weights, including bodybuilding, weight training, and powerlifting. Bodybuilding includes exercises that enhance muscular development for overall health and fitness. Weight training uses free weights and weight machines for physical conditioning instead of competitive reasons. Powerlifting combines weightlifting and weight training elements to emphasize strength more than flexibility, speed, and technique.
Modern weightlifting can be traced back to the 19th century. Greece, in particular, developed this sport, and it soon spread to other European nations. In fact, it became so popular that it was featured in the 1896 Athens Olympic Games. Initially, some participants competed in lifting weights using one arm while others used two arms. Soon, the one-arm lift was abandoned in favor of the two-arm lift, which remains the standard to date.
The total area weightlifters use covers 10 square meters and has two distinct surfaces. The inner one is called the playing surface. It measures four square meters and is the area where weightlifters do the actual lifting. The outer one surrounds the playing surface and is known as the stage. Beyond these surfaces is a warm-up area where participants can practise lifting weights.
Besides the barbell, weightlifters use other equipment such as bumper plates, iron plates, singlets, belts, collars, tape, and chalk. These are meant to keep them safe and help them get good results. Their attire includes knee-high or lower socks, shorts, briefs, and weightlifting shoes.
The weightlifting gameplay comprises two competitions. The snatch is a weightlifting move where the individual bends and holds the barbell firmly and lifts it in one continuous movement ending with an arm arms-locked position and the barbell firmly held above the head. The other, known as the clean and jerk, involves two movements. In the first one, the weightlifter bends and holds the barbell firmly and lifts it to shoulder level. They straighten the arms lifting the barbell to its final over-the-head position in the second move.
There are weightlifting competitions for men and women, each having its bodyweight categories. In either competition, there is one referee and two judges who determine the overall result. Every participant gets three attempts to lift. Two successful lifts qualify the participant for the next level. Using white and blue lights to signify a successful attempt and a red light to signal a failed one, the referee communicates to a participant when to release the barbell. The participant who emerges with the most passed attempts for varying weights becomes the winner.
As with other sports, competitive weightlifting has its rules and regulations. Though there are many rules, the general ones dictate that the athlete must not touch the platform with any other body part apart from the feet. Chalk is the only substance participants can use as a lubricant. Additionally, in the beginning, the athlete must face the referee.
The participant must also fully extend their arms without bending the elbows or knees when finishing the lift. The athlete must also release the barbell from the final lift position, not from the shoulders. Besides, the referee must give the athlete the green light to change the barbell in use on the platform. They can't change it without such instruction.
Notably, weightlifting differs from other activities using weights, including bodybuilding, weight training, and powerlifting. Bodybuilding includes exercises that enhance muscular development for overall health and fitness. Weight training uses free weights and weight machines for physical conditioning instead of competitive reasons. Powerlifting combines weightlifting and weight training elements to emphasize strength more than flexibility, speed, and technique.
Modern weightlifting can be traced back to the 19th century. Greece, in particular, developed this sport, and it soon spread to other European nations. In fact, it became so popular that it was featured in the 1896 Athens Olympic Games. Initially, some participants competed in lifting weights using one arm while others used two arms. Soon, the one-arm lift was abandoned in favor of the two-arm lift, which remains the standard to date.
The total area weightlifters use covers 10 square meters and has two distinct surfaces. The inner one is called the playing surface. It measures four square meters and is the area where weightlifters do the actual lifting. The outer one surrounds the playing surface and is known as the stage. Beyond these surfaces is a warm-up area where participants can practise lifting weights.
Besides the barbell, weightlifters use other equipment such as bumper plates, iron plates, singlets, belts, collars, tape, and chalk. These are meant to keep them safe and help them get good results. Their attire includes knee-high or lower socks, shorts, briefs, and weightlifting shoes.
The weightlifting gameplay comprises two competitions. The snatch is a weightlifting move where the individual bends and holds the barbell firmly and lifts it in one continuous movement ending with an arm arms-locked position and the barbell firmly held above the head. The other, known as the clean and jerk, involves two movements. In the first one, the weightlifter bends and holds the barbell firmly and lifts it to shoulder level. They straighten the arms lifting the barbell to its final over-the-head position in the second move.
There are weightlifting competitions for men and women, each having its bodyweight categories. In either competition, there is one referee and two judges who determine the overall result. Every participant gets three attempts to lift. Two successful lifts qualify the participant for the next level. Using white and blue lights to signify a successful attempt and a red light to signal a failed one, the referee communicates to a participant when to release the barbell. The participant who emerges with the most passed attempts for varying weights becomes the winner.
As with other sports, competitive weightlifting has its rules and regulations. Though there are many rules, the general ones dictate that the athlete must not touch the platform with any other body part apart from the feet. Chalk is the only substance participants can use as a lubricant. Additionally, in the beginning, the athlete must face the referee.
The participant must also fully extend their arms without bending the elbows or knees when finishing the lift. The athlete must also release the barbell from the final lift position, not from the shoulders. Besides, the referee must give the athlete the green light to change the barbell in use on the platform. They can't change it without such instruction.
