The USA Weightlifting Podcast

In this recording we are considering how combining cleans and snatches together in the same set as a complex might help overcome faults that are isolated to one lift or the other. Tune in to hear how you can give this a try in your own training if you feel it is indicated. Enjoy the show!

Today we are circling back around to considering the benefits of Bodybuilding towards your Olympic lifting potential, as well as your health and longevity as an athlete and human. Tune in to hear our updated and additional suggestions on the topic. Enjoy the show!

Today we are giving terms and defining the portion of the lift where the greatest speed is in need, which includes your body reaching its highest point before going under the bar, as well as the pulling of your body under the bar and the subsequent lockout. Hence, finishing the “pull” of the lift. Additionally, we discuss how and why at times we can feel off or slow through this range, and give some considerations on how you can and when it will, or should, feel better. Enjoy the show!

In this episode we are considering the importance of the power clean when it comes to your potential in the clean, and your overall Olympic lifting ability. We give our takes on athletes who might need to do more power cleans, and those that might need to do less or even none at all. Additionally, we suggest some ways to incorporate them into your training, as well as some standards that would benefit you to adopt. Enjoy the show!

In this recording we are talking through our experiences with the common occurrence of knee pain, and give some suggestions on how you can consider navigating through, if it is ever an issue for you. Enjoy the show!

Today we are discussing what we feel is the most common mobility issue present in the community, how you can assess and gauge where you might be in this area, and some examples of some work you can put in to help increase your range of motion if needed. Enjoy the show!

Today we are bringing in the New Year with a conversation about how we should all be reflecting on where we were, what we were working on, and what we accomplished through 2024, and where we want to go now. The Holidays are past us all now and it is time to get back to work, and Cheryl and I have included examples and thoughts of more complexes you can try and perhaps use to continue striving to perfect your technique and to help you reach your goals here in 2025. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, we are talking through some suggestions to help us all navigate our training and health through the Holidays to finish out the year the best and strongest we can. Enjoy the show!

This week we are digging deep into the vault and re-releasing an episode we originally recorded in July of 2018 with an absolute GOAT of our sport, Artie Drechsler. Tune in to learn more about this individual who has done so much for our sport, and a ton about the general history of weightlifting. Enjoy the show!

Today, following a little detoured conversation about some of our current superstars American athletes, we discuss how not contacting your body with the bar in the clean or the snatch can be used as a beneficial drill for SOME athletes. To fully grasp this concept, and if it might be an option for you to use to help optimize your movement, you have to understand the importance and the how to actually contacting your body and why it is an optimal advantage, and that not contacting is only a drill for only a small percentage of athletes to use. Enjoy the show!

n this recording, we are talking about the unconventional exercise called the “Clerk”. At first glance, this can look like someone just performing the clean and jerk incorrectly, or at least rushing it to an extreme extent. If that doesn't give enough of a hint as to what this exercise actually is, tune in to hear the specific description of the movement, and the great purposes it can hold. Enjoy the show!

Today we are excited to cover a suggestion from another listener; what to do when an athlete is using old or improper maxes to take percentages off of. Tune in as we delve into how this might affect the athlete and the program, and suggestions you can make or conversations you can have with yourself or your athletes to ensure an understanding of why one should use current and correct numbers. Enjoy the show!

In this episode we are debating on whether or not lifters should hold onto their hookgrip within the reception of the clean, as well as considering the use of the hookgrip, or even a full grip within front squats. Tune in to hear our thoughts and tips on the topic. Enjoy the show!

In this recording, we are fulfilling a listener's request to discuss overthinking. Specifically, how it can negatively affect an athlete's lifting and progress, and what might help to overcome the issue. Tune in to hear our perspectives on the topic. Enjoy the show!

Today, Cheryl is telling us about her experience as an NBC commentator for the Olympics, as well as gives some general observations and tells us a few stories involving a few of the moments that stuck out the most to her. Additionally, we navigate through an overview of the performances of our own amazing athletes who all represented Team USA so strongly. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, we are delving into what is the base of any weightlifting training plan; squat programs. There are many to choose from of course, but tune in to hear the specifics of six squat programs that I've done regularly in my career as an athlete and coach with much success. I hope that some of you may give at least a few of them a try. Enjoy the show!

In this recording we are talking about when it is most appropriate to give a cue, when it is most appropriate to use a drill, and when and how both might be needed to help change, solidify, or optimize your movement. Enjoy the show!

In this episode, we are considering the occurrence of jumping to one side or the other when a lifter receives their snatches and cleans. Is this something that YOU do in your own lifts? Tune in to learn why this might be happening, and what you can do to begin to address it. Enjoy the show!

his week we are recapping and giving our thoughts on Nationals week, which took place recently through mid-June, from a commentator's perspective. It was a great week and a great meet with lots of good, consistent, and big lifting, and it was a pleasure to take part and now unpack here. Enjoy the show!

In this recording we are giving some examples of scenarios that may unexpectedly pop up in competition that athletes and coaches will need to adapt to and overcome to have a chance at getting the most out of the day. Tune in to hear our recommendations and a few stories from some of our own experiences. Enjoy the show!

This week we are talking about complexes, which are combinations of different variations of a snatch, a clean, or a jerk. Tune in to hear why you might use them in your training, and how you can implement them into your warm ups with purpose. Enjoy the show!Snatch Specifc Warm Up Complex (empty bar)2 Rounds-Round 1 to be done barefoot1 round = 5 reps each of:-Snatch Grip Romanian Deadlift(pause briefly above knee)-Muscle Snatch Strict (standing)-Power snatch from above knee-Overhead squat-Snatch grip sots press (or press behind neck from standing)Snatch Warm Up Complex (weighed, building to working sets)-Snatch w/Pause Above Knee + Overhead Squat + SnatchNOTE: Perform this complex as your first 3-5 warm up sets; pause in bottom of each overhead squat for 5-10 seconds.

In this episode we are considering the benefits of having a training partner or training with a group, as well as some benefits to training completely alone. Tune in to hear about our experiences in both settings, and our recommendations on the topic. Enjoy the show!

In today's recording we talk about how it is easy, especially for a newcomer, to look at a lift and just see general speed or strength, or a made or missed attempt. But, if someone is trying to learn and best understand the Olympic lifts, where should or can they direct their eye when observing a snatch, clean, or a jerk? What should they notice? What is most important? Tune in to hear our suggestions on the topic. Enjoy the show!

In this episode we're excited to announce that the 2024 Olympic Team has been named! Along with stating exactly who you can expect to see on this premier stage, we tell a few stories about our own journeys of chasing the Olympic Dream, and how the processes have changed. Enjoy the show!

In today's recording we are considering how difficult weightlifting is in general on an individual basis. Is it harder for some athletes than others when it comes to technique, training, and ultimately lifting heavy? Do some athletes have to do something extra special to lift heavy and then recover from those efforts whereas for others its just all easy? On this topic we want to provide our perspectives to hopefully limit any negative comparing that could hinder your mindset and limit your progress. Enjoy the show!

In this episode we are talking about the imperativeness of being able to stack your body and the bar in your key support positions. If this straight line is not seen in your lifting, it is important to understand whether it is a lack of awareness or knowledge, something missing in your technique, or limited mobility. Tune in to hear our definition of what a good stacked position is, and how to create it and hone it. Enjoy the show!

Today we are explaining why we feel that if you are jumping forward ANY AMOUNT when you receive your snatches or cleans, you are not moving as efficiently as you could be. Be sure to check where your feet are landing in relation to where they are starting to know if you are in need of some attention in this area, and tune in to to understand the potential root causes of jumping forward and some suggestions on how to stay more centered. Enjoy the show!

In this episode we are trying to inspire you to check your speed. Are you taking your time enough in the set up? Are you initiating the movement at a rate that you can maintain tension, position, and overall quality throughout the remainder of the lift? Tune in to hear our suggestions on how, where, and why to potentially SLOW yourself down! Enjoy the show!

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 perfect it. Enjoy the show!

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 them as lessons. With this information and the experience you can take steps to make sure that you don't have the same “excuses” to fall back on as why things didn't go the way you wanted in the future. Enjoy the show!

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 show!

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 few considerations and tips you can use to turn your so called bad sessions into good ones when needed. Enjoy the show!

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 you can find better balance through re-prioritizing the grind. Enjoy the show!

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!