Olympic Weightlifting is an Olympic Sport (for now) that revolves around doing 3 lifts. These lifts are the snatch, clean, and jerk. The last 2 done together in what is called the clean and jerk.
For a while, all my training revolved around improving these 3 lifts. Call it life or just not finding enjoyment in them for whatever reason I haven't done them over the last 2 years. I have primarily been focusing on improving the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
I noticed recently that my mobility and flexibility has gone gotten worse than when I was doing Olympic weightlifting multiple times a week.
It makes sense. If you don't use it you lose it right?
The snatch, clean, and jerk require you to get into positions that you really don't get into daily. Even more so than just a regular back squat. Being able to receive a snatch in an overhead squat position requires every area of your body to be flexible. This isn't even including the benefits of speed, power, quickness, athleticism, and coordination.
So recently I have committed to doing them more often. I won't be doing them as I did back (both in terms of weight and frequency) in the day but at least 1 time a week for each lift. I am already starting to see my mobility and flexibility improve.
Remember these don't need to be done at heavy weights to get the benefit. Even a pvc pipe or barbell will give you great improvements.
The Olympic lifts are the biggest bang for your buck. Give them a shot.
Coach Ben
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