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There are a few of reasons that powerlifting (squat/bench/deadlift) is more popular than weightlifting (Snatch/Clean and Jerk). The technique is much harder to

There are a few of reasons that powerlifting (squat/bench/deadlift) is more popular than weightlifting (Snatch/Clean and Jerk). The technique is much harder to learn for the explosive lifts, as the bar and lifter must move very fast for the lift to work at all. Olympic lifts generally require bumper plates (significantly more expensive than iron), though it is possible if painful to lower the weights back to the floor. And there is a much bigger genetic component to your limitations in explosive lifts than in the slower ones; the fraction of your deadlift that you can clean is very difficult to improve. That said, if you can get the technique down (internet coaching or otherwise) it's a wonderful feeling to rack a power clean.

vidarh 11y ago
Power cleans are great, but they also feel massively simpler than clean and jerk. I picked up power cleans on my own, but I don't know if I'd dare try to teach myself clean and jerk without a coach. EDIT: It also really annoyed me to see how they described power lifting vs. oly. As if you don't need core and leg strength and for deadlifts and squats. And for that matter most power lifters will practice additional lifts like overhead press too (or power cleans..)
- x0x0 11y ago
  Yeah, it is very annoying -- perhaps they just talked to an oly lifter? For power lifters, the measure of an athlete is how much he can bench press—something not included in Olympic competitions. That's just flat out not true, and not something anyone familiar with powerlifting would say, except perhaps in a pejorative sense. For those of you who may be unfamiliar, the standard measure of a powerlifter is your total: the combined single rep maximum in three attempts of your squat, bench, and deadlift.
  - Thriptic 11y ago
    Yeah unless you're Eric Spoto the bench press contributes by far the least to your total. Powerlifters and olympic lifters also typically have deep respect for each other, as there is a broad intersection between the two sports.

vidarh 11y ago

Power cleans are great, but they also feel massively simpler than clean and jerk. I picked up power cleans on my own, but I don't know if I'd dare try to teach myself clean and jerk without a coach. EDIT: It also really annoyed me to see how they described power lifting vs. oly. As if you don't need core and leg strength and for deadlifts and squats. And for that matter most power lifters will practice additional lifts like overhead press too (or power cleans..)

x0x0 11y ago
Yeah, it is very annoying -- perhaps they just talked to an oly lifter? For power lifters, the measure of an athlete is how much he can bench press—something not included in Olympic competitions. That's just flat out not true, and not something anyone familiar with powerlifting would say, except perhaps in a pejorative sense. For those of you who may be unfamiliar, the standard measure of a powerlifter is your total: the combined single rep maximum in three attempts of your squat, bench, and deadlift.
- Thriptic 11y ago
  Yeah unless you're Eric Spoto the bench press contributes by far the least to your total. Powerlifters and olympic lifters also typically have deep respect for each other, as there is a broad intersection between the two sports.