QWA FACT SHEETS
What is Weightlifting?
Weightlifting is a sport that provides opportunities for athletes to compete at
all levels from local to International. Weightlifting is an Olympic Games and
Commonwealth Games sport in which athletes perform two lifts – the Snatch and
the Clean & Jerk. Weightlifting training develops strength, speed, power,
flexibility, coordination and Balance.
Weightlifters compete within bodyweight categories and often also within age
groups. There are seven bodyweight categories for women, ranging from less than
48kg, up to Over 75kg. For men, there are eight categories with the lightest
being under 56kg; and the heaviest, Over 105kg.
Queensland State Championships and Australian National Championships are held in
age groups of Under 15; Under 17 (Youth); Under 20 (Junior); Senior (Open); and
Masters (35 and over). In addition to championships events, Queensland has an
annual open league competition and many weightlifting clubs conduct regular club
events.
Is it Safe?
With correct coaching, proper equipment, and realistic expectations,
weightlifting training is safe and beneficial for most people. Unfortunately
there are still some myths which cause concern to those who haven’t experienced
weightlifting training first-hand.
Many years ago it was recommended that children and adolescents should avoid
weightlifting, because it was thought to expose them to a greater risk of
musculoskeletal injuries. But a retrospective review of the effects of
weightlifting on preadolescents and adolescents found that weightlifting posed
no extraordinary risk to healthy growth and in fact contributed to greater bone
density and stronger joints.
A properly designed and supervised weightlifting training program can provide a
safe and effective way to obtain the following benefits:
-
Improved muscle tone
- Improved joint flexibility
- Better motor skills
- Increased strength, power & speed
- Improved body composition
- Better cardio respiratory function
- Improved overall sports performance
- Greater confidence and self esteem
How Much? How Soon?
Physical development is related to age, body type, current levels of physical
activity and various phases of growth.
To perform the complex movements involved in weightlifting, novices must first
learn the basic techniques. As they master the introductory exercises using
relatively light weights, they can progressively increase those weights and move
on to more advanced training. A qualified coach can monitor the rate of each
individual’s progress and greatly assist in the development of advanced skills
and the attainment of greater results.
Weightlifters train to develop and perfect their technical skills while at the
same time, they are conditioning their bodies to be strong and powerful. This
process of learning weightlifting technique, coupled with progressive physical
conditioning, provides a balanced approach to overall physical development.
So, the answer to this question is that it depends upon a number of factors. But
with good coaching and regular training, most people can expect to see results
within a few months of commencement.
Lifting Weights is not all Weightlifting
Understanding the difference between Olympic Weightlifting, strength training, power
lifting and body building is important.
Strength Training:
Uses resistance methods to increase a person’s ability to exert or resist force.
Free weights, the individual's own body weight, machines, or other devices (e.g.
elastic bands, medicine balls) provide resistance. Strength training is used as
an adjunct to many sports and for general physical conditioning.
Powerlifting:
Is a competitive sport in which athletes demonstrate maximum lifting ability.
Powerlifting competitions consist of three lifts – the Squat, the Bench Press,
and the Dead Lift. Powerlifting training promotes the development of strength.
Bodybuilding:
Is an aesthetic sport that depends on weight training but does not involve
lifting in competitions. Bodybuilders use a variety of apparatus to develop
large muscles, often isolating individual muscles, or small groups of muscles,
with specific exercises. Bodybuilding training promotes the development of
muscle size and shape, and body symmetry.
Weightlifting:
Weightlifting is an Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games sport in which athletes
perform two lifts – the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk. This is weightlifting
Where is Weightlifting - how do I get involved?
Find a Club
Contact the Queensland Weightlifting
Association
