This is the official Podcast of USA Weightlifting. Spend some time with hosts and Olympians Cheryl Haworth and Chad Vaughn as they interview the athletes and coaches you want to hear and learn from, and review the competitions you want to know about. You will be able to draw inspiration and motivation from their collective personal stories and experiences, as well as always leave with at least a few immediately applicable tips from content that will range from training to technique to compet ...
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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…
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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 mo…
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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 wh…
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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!由USA Weightlifting
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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!由USA Weightlifting
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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 st…
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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. Enj…
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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!由USA Weightlifting
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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!由USA Weightlifting
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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!…
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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!…
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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 barefoot 1 round = …
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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!由USA Weightlifting
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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? W…
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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!由USA Weightlifting
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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…
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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 …
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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 po…
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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 …
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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!由USA Weightlifting
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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 c…
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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 o…
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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 unde…
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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!由USA Weightlifting
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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!…
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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!…
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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 inco…
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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…
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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!…
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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 …
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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 actuall…
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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 ex…
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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!由USA Weightlifting
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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 re…
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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!由USA Weightlifting
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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 …
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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 pos…
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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…
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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 squatti…
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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 negativit…
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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 mo…
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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!…
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Today we are considering ways that you can improve your overall coordination as an athlete, and optimize your timing with the Olympic lifts. Coordination being the way all of your muscles through your body are working together, and the amounts each are contributing, to perform certain actions within the movement at the optimal times. If you are hav…
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In this episode we are talking about the how and why of snatch pulls and clean pulls. “Pulls” are essentially an assistant exercise to the snatch and clean that work on varying portions of those lifts, anywhere from the floor up through full extension of the body. The lifter might execute a shrug of the shoulders and extension of the ankles to come…
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Today we are joined by Edward Baker of Voodoo Weightlifting to talk about the life and passing of Coach John Coffee. A pioneer in the sport of weightlifting, John Coffee died on Jan. 22, 2023, at the age of 76. Coffee dedicated more than a half-century to advancing Olympic-style lifting, running the storied Coffee’s Gym from 1980 to 2017 out of Mar…
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Today we are discussing how to create back tension and the correct angle in your start position, and how to maintain both from the floor to the knee. It is common to see athletes lose one or both of these through this range in the lift, and left uncorrected can leave kilos on the table. Keep in mind that some athletes let the hips rise purposefully…
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Today we’re talking with Shane Rothlisberger of Versalifts about how elevating your heels can improve your lifting. This of course happens when we wear our weightlifting shoes, but additional elevation can be added with plates or any other elevated surface for warm up and drilling purposes, or with heel inserts to help you get into more efficient a…
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In this episode we’re talking about distractions and how if we let them, they can have varying extents of control over our training and competitions. We share stories of how we ourselves have let distraction take us over in the past, and how we have navigated around it. We hope these examples and our suggestions can help shed some light on the thin…
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As 2022 comes to a close, we’re taking this time to reminisce on the few key lessons we’ve learned over the past 12 months. It’s been an honor to have your continued support of the USA Weightlifting Podcast and we’re even more excited for the year to come. Tune in for another episode of technique talk and some of our yearly recaps! Enjoy the show.…
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This episode will help you better understand deload weeks and how to read your body throughout to optimize your training. We are joined by Hannah Tatro of TrueCoach to help us cover this topic. TrueCoach is the official coaching app of USA Weightlifting, and is an innovative, all-in-one platform built for both coaches and athletes alike. Don’t let …
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