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Women’s Olympic Weightlifting
Women’s Olympic weightlifting events were not added to the Olympic games until the year 2000. That’s not very long ago, which is a testament to the persistence of myths surrounding women and strength training. These myths have discouraged and prevented women from turning to weights for training. The thought of women participating in an Olympic weightlifting event evoked gasps of horror at the damage that would be done to frail female bodies. Those myths still linger in some minds, but women weightlifters are now a permanent part of the athletic scene.
The women’s Olympic weightlifting event includes 7 divisions based on bodyweight. But weightlifting for women is not just useful in the competitive setting. Women need muscular conditioning and strength for overall fitness just as much as men. In fact, women exercise articles frequently discuss toning and firming muscles for that sculpted look. There is no better way to tone muscles, reduce fat, and improve overall health than through strength training. Women also participate in almost every sport and need to be physically fit for peak performance and injury prevention.
In order to discuss women’s Olympic weightlifting it is best to start by addressing some of the myths that surround women and weightlifting. It is the testosterone in men that builds bulky muscles when they lift weights. Women have only 1/10th of the level of testosterone and therefore are virtually incapable of creating the same bulky muscles. There are always exceptions of course, but they are rare. Women also do not have the same upper or lower body strength. This affects the amount of weight that can be lifted, but it does not affect the training program itself. So here is the truth about women’s Olympic weightlifting.
- Women can develop strength in relation to their body mass which naturally contains more body fat then men
- Women who strengthen their muscles have easier births and quicker recovery time
- Weightlifting reduces body fat and creates lean muscle mass that creates the same sculpted look (only better) than the other traditional women’s exercise programs
- Women will not injure themselves any more than men if they follow proper techniques and training
- Women should adhere to a weightlifting program that uses volume and intensity
- Strength training is just as important as cardiovascular development
Women need to exercise with weights, and like men, they need to strengthen upper and lower body muscles, and the core muscles. Exercises for strength training should include improving joint flexibility, muscle power, and functional muscle strength. Women’s Olympic weightlifting events are just as powerful as the men’s events in relation to physical size, so proper training is just as important.
Olympic weightlifting is composed of lifts that use the legs and arms, with the core muscles giving the stability needed to handle the force of the weights. Training using kettlebells is ideal for preparation to compete in a weightlifting program. But they are also ideal for any training program intended for sport-specific training or just general fitness. Kettlebells add the power and strength to the core muscle group, making strong abdomens. This is the promise of fad exercise equipment, but better results can be achieved with the simple design of the kettlebells.
Women’s Olympic weightlifting is here to stay. Women can now take advantage of the same opportunities as men to get as physically fit as possible. Learning the snatch, the clean and press, the swing, or the jerk is no longer just for men. It’s a woman “thing” too!
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