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super_rice
New member
There seems to have been a recent surge of interest in the "classic" lifts; snatch, clean and jerk, so I thought I would post something about this. Funny that it's the "original" 5x5 crowd here at EF that is getting into it (I thank madcow as well for giving me the building blocks to be the weightlifter I am today). Man, I think I'll even bump up my old journal and slap in some progress posts. It will be fun to see a year's progress.
Anyway, the lifts are not that hard to learn, and are definately SAFE. It's only to get to a certain level that they are hard. You will evenutally need a coach with a good eye to see what you are doing wrong. Most people say to get some sort of instruction before you start in order to get out of bad habits.
Personally, I learned on my own (snatched 90kg, clean and jerked 110 @ bwt 80 after 5 months training) and I think learned pretty well but it's different for everyone. I have a coach now who picks out the small things that make a world of difference in pulling power, and programs well. For myself, learning on my own was very helpful, because no one was there to hold my hand. That's what a lot of weightlifting is though, learning it by feel, and finding that "groove" where you are most powerful - that can't be taught, you gotta do it.
Others will need a coach though, and I definately agree that you make progress MUCH faster and in the right direction.
In Toronto at least, the clubs I have been to (it's hard to find a club, you have to be VERY determined to want to do this - I drive about 45 minutes to see my coach) allow you to TRAIN FOR FREE, if you are serious about weightlifting. They make their money selling their products and training everyone else. When you compete, you just compete under their club name. I myself am planning to go to Junior Nationals in 2007.
Anyway, if you are interested in olympic style weightlifting, visit www.gtaschool.com and talk to Hani, the head coach. Come down for a visit and train!
Anyway, the lifts are not that hard to learn, and are definately SAFE. It's only to get to a certain level that they are hard. You will evenutally need a coach with a good eye to see what you are doing wrong. Most people say to get some sort of instruction before you start in order to get out of bad habits.
Personally, I learned on my own (snatched 90kg, clean and jerked 110 @ bwt 80 after 5 months training) and I think learned pretty well but it's different for everyone. I have a coach now who picks out the small things that make a world of difference in pulling power, and programs well. For myself, learning on my own was very helpful, because no one was there to hold my hand. That's what a lot of weightlifting is though, learning it by feel, and finding that "groove" where you are most powerful - that can't be taught, you gotta do it.
Others will need a coach though, and I definately agree that you make progress MUCH faster and in the right direction.
In Toronto at least, the clubs I have been to (it's hard to find a club, you have to be VERY determined to want to do this - I drive about 45 minutes to see my coach) allow you to TRAIN FOR FREE, if you are serious about weightlifting. They make their money selling their products and training everyone else. When you compete, you just compete under their club name. I myself am planning to go to Junior Nationals in 2007.
Anyway, if you are interested in olympic style weightlifting, visit www.gtaschool.com and talk to Hani, the head coach. Come down for a visit and train!
