What Is Weightlifting?

Weightlifting is a weight-classed strength sport and Olympic Games event. In weightlifting competitions, athletes perform two barbell-only exercises; the snatch and the clean & jerk.

Both events entail moving a loaded barbell from the floor to being held overhead at arm’s length. Athletes who compete in weightlifting are ranked on the sum of their heaviest successful snatch and clean & jerk, which is called a Total. Out of all major strength sports, weightlifting is widely considered to be the most intricate to learn, due to the complex techniques of its two movements.