Olympic lifting beginners course

Think you can’t learn the olympic lifts in 10 hours? Think again!

“The olympic lifting course has been an eye opener and a confidence booster for me” – Amrit

A 7-step system to get you lifting to the best of your ability

My Olympic Lifting for Beginners course will get you snatching, cleaning and jerking with proper weightlifting technique in just five weeks.

Most teaching systems for weightlifting are designed for elite athletes; my system is designed for ordinary gym goers like you.

Maybe you haven’t done much lifting before, or you have some mobility restrictions that make some positions difficult? Perhaps you want to learn but lack confidence?

My 7-step teaching system addresses all of these issues and will get you lifting to the best of your ability.

Step 1: Improve mobility

Doing the correct mobility drills before lifting can greatly improve your performance in the lifts. You will be given step by step advice on which warm ups and stretches are best for you.

Step 2: Get a good squat

We don’t assume that you already have a perfect squat! In fact, many people have trouble getting into a good squat position under the bar. We work specifically on this position so that you can build confidence in getting under the bar, resulting in improved technique from the beginning.

“The constant attention given to my form and helping me to work through my problems is what made the course worthwhile and allowed me to make great progress over a short period of time.” – Greg

Step 3: Use simple, proven progressions

Using tried and tested methods*, we break down each lift into a series of simple drills performed with a light bar. We repeat these drills every week, so you have plenty of time to practise and reinforce the technique you are learning.

Using drills in addition to the full olympic lifts results in better technique than doing the olympic lifts alone.

“I really liked the format of the class (drills w technical plates focusing on technique, then increasing weights etc.)” – Ibai

Step 4: Use the right equipment

On this course, we use specialist weightlifting technique bars and plates which are very light but are designed to perform just like normal bars and plates.

This means you can start at a weight that is right for you, improving your ability to master proper technique.

If you’ve ever tried to learn weightlifting using a standard olympic bar (too heavy) or a PVC pipe (wrong design), then using a proper weightlifting technique bar will be a revelation; it will transform your ability to do the lifts!

Step 5: Build confidence and your mental game

Weightlifting is fun but is also a challenge and requires a positive mental approach. In addition to the technical drills, you’ll learn to lift with confidence and use the power of the mind as well as the body to help you lift better!

“I think my biggest reservation was just that I was going to be too weak to do anything or maybe that I was going to drop something on myself..The best result is probably that it just feels brilliant, it feels really good” – Holly

Step 6: Support each other

We work in small groups of 2-3 on this course, rather than everyone being drilled together in rows. This fosters a supportive atmosphere where you have your training partners looking out for you and celebrating your successes. Everyone lifts more and lifts better when people are cheering them on!

“There’s a lot of camerarderie with people encouraging everyone else to lift heavier” – Jess

Step 7: Train like a weightlifter!

As you progress through the course, we introduce assistance exercises such as squats and pulls which you do alongside the olympic lifts. These build strength, reinforce technique and provide you with the a basic weightlifting programme that you can continue after the course finishes.

This course is designed to help you with every aspect of weightlifting, from skills and strength to camaraderie and confidence! So, are you ready to take your first step and sign up for the next course? Book your place here!

Fab course, great to meet everyone and the week 5 competition was great fun too! – Debra

*Greenwood Weightlifting (GWL) progressions, developed by British record holder and Commonwealth gold medallist Giles Greenwood, head coach at Bethnal Green, one of Britain’s oldest weightlifting clubs.

All photos by Shawn Ballantine