The first official and written account of a weightlifting event or competition can be found several thousand years ago during the Chou Dynasty, which lasted for more than seven hundred years, from the late 10th century to around 250 B.C. It was during this period of time that military recruits were required to meet and pass certain strength requirements before they were allowed to become a part of the armed forces.

According to some archeologists, the ancient Egyptians once used bags of sand as a method of training and weightlifting. Evidence of competition during the days of ancient Greece can also be found, both in legend and in artifacts. Rocks bearing inscriptions about the individuals who lifted them have been unearthed throughout the ancient Greek world, despite the fact that they weigh several hundred pounds. Although some would question the authenticity of any stories or accounts of feats of strength that took place hundred of years ago, it is clear that weightlifting and strength training did play a significant role in the lives of several groups of ancient people.

The practice of weightlifting and weight training appears to have disappeared after the fall of the Roman Empire, although it is possible that its existence was simply no longer recorded. The ideas behind lifting weights and training with weights and heavy objects was revived in the 16th century, and clearly continues to this day.

The Start Of Something Big

According to at least one source, the idea of weightlifting as a competition officially began in the mid 19th century, when a college professor and proponent of weightlifting by the name of George Barker Windship held a strong man competition in which the winner received a prize of $200 if he or she could lift more weight than Windship, who at the time was considered the “American Sampson”.

Although weightlifting and training with weights already existed at the time, this initial competition is generally considered the birth of competitive weightlifting. Curiously enough, Windship is actually credited as being the inventor of the barbell and weightlifting plates, ideas for which he filed patents for back in 1865.

After building a solid following throughout Europe and the United States, the sport of weightlifting was officially added to the list of Olympic events during the games of 1896. Although weightlifting did not return for the Olympic games of 1900, it did return in 1904, only to disappear for several more games. In 1920, the event returned for good, and has been a part of the Olympic games ever since.

Weightlifting Records

Although a variety of different lifts have comprised the world of competitive weightlifting, today only two lifts are used during weightlifting competitions. The clean and jerk and well as the snatch. During a weightlifting competition, individuals can participate in one of several weight divisions. Weightlifting records are based then on the individual lifter’s weight class. As far as the actual weightlifting records are concerned, there are records for both the clean and jerk and the snatch, as well as for the combined weight of both lifts.

Men’s World Records

* 56 kg – At the 56 kilogram weight class, the world records in the snatch, the clean and jerk, and in the “total” lift which combines both previous lifts, are all held by Halil Mutlu, who has a snatch lift of 138 kg, a clean and jerk lift of 168 kg, and a combined total of 305 kg.
* 62 kg – At the 62 kilogram weight class, the world record in the snatch is held by Zhiyong Shi (153 kg). The world record in the clean and jerk belongs to Maosheng Li, at 182 kg. The lifts by both of these men are combined to establish the current world record for total weight.
* 69 kg – Georgi Markov holds the world record in the snatch (153 kg), Guozheng Zhang is the holder of the world record in the clean and jerk (197 kg), and Galabin Boevski hold the record for total weight lifted.
* 77 kg – The world record in the snatch is held by Sergey Filimonov (173 kg), and the world record in the clean and jerk belongs to Oleg Perepetchenov (210 kg), while the world record for total weight lifted belongs to Plamen Jelyazkov (377 kg).
* 85 kg – Andrei Rybakou holds the world record in the snatch (187 kg), Yong Zhang is the world record holder in the clean and jerk (218 kg). The weight lifte by both men is used to establish the world record standard for total weight (395 kg).
* 94 kg – The snatch record at this weight class (188 kg) belongs to Akakios Kakhiasvilis, while the clean and jerk record (232 kg) belongs to Szymon Kolecki. The world standard for both lifts is 417 kg.
* 105 kg – Marcin Dolega is the world record holder in the snatch (199 kg), while the world standards for both the clean and jerk and the total lift are 242 kg and 440 kg respectively.
* 105+ – In the 105+ weight class, all three records are currently held by Hossein Rezazadeh (213 kg snatch, 263 kg clean and jerk, 472 kg total).

Starting a weightlifting routine can be one of the most beneficial things you will do for yourself. If it’s something you’ve never done before, it can also be one of the most intimidating. Whether you’re a seasoned gym-goer or simply a health conscious individual who knows you should be doing some sort of resistance training, these guidelines can help you get the most out of your weightlifting routine.

Exercises: The Building blocks of your Weightlifting Routine

A good weightlifting routine is a balanced one: a combination of exercises that target all of the major muscle groups: whether simultaneously or one at a time. Legs, glutes, abs, chest, back, shoulders, biceps, and triceps should all get some attention in a balanced routine.

-Core (abdominals and mid-to-lower back): Your core muscles are your stabilizers; they hold you up when standing or sitting down. Whether your goal is to have a six-pack or simply to stand or walk for an extended period of time without experiencing lower back pain, it’s important to give your core muscles the attention they deserve.

-Legs and glutes: squats and lunges are great overall lower body exercises, and the balance required to perform these exercises well also requires good core stabilization.

- Upper body: Many gyms have a series of machines that target these muscles individually. If you prefer free weights there are a myriad of different exercises to target every area. The important thing is not to shortchange any muscle group.

Going to a group strength training class or working with a personal trainer can be great ways to improve and vary your personal weightlifting routine.

Reps and Sets: The Structure of your Routine

Doing an exercise once-once lunge, one biceps curl, one abdominal curl-is referred to as a repetition, or “rep.” The number of reps you perform for each exercise will depend on your personal goals, but here are some basic guidelines:

4-6 Reps: To build muscle mass. If you’re trying to bulk up, you should be working with weights that cause your muscles to fail (meaning that another repetition is not possible) after 4-6 reps.

6-10 Reps: For overall strength gain. Most of us, with goals to increase and maintain strength and overall fitness, will base our training programs around these numbers.

10-12 Reps: To maintain strength and build endurance. As always, the goal is to work to muscle fatigue. For areas like the core-endurance stabilizers rarely get a break from working-and lower body-especially if you’re training for an endurance sport like distance running or skiing- a higher number of reps is a smart way to train.

If you choose a number of repetitions, and perform and exercise that number of times, you will have completed 1 “set.” Like the number of reps, the number of sets you do of one exercise will depend on your personal goals.

1 set: Generally corresponds with a higher (endurance level) number of reps. Sufficient to maintain strength and muscle mass.

2 sets: Works well with mid-to-higher numbers of reps. Good for gaining or maintaining strength and muscle mass.

3 sets: Usually implemented with low-to-mid range numbers of reps. Traditionally used to gain strength and muscle mass.

Weights: the Simplest Variables in your Weightlifting Routine

Deciding which weight to use for any resistance exercise can seem complicated, but is actually fairly simple. Choose a weight that challenges your body, but still allows you to perform an appropriate number of repetitions of the exercise with good form. You should “max out” or be fatigued at the end of each set, but should recover enough to do another set after only a short rest.

Keep these guidelines in mind, and remember to switch things up-change a method, increase a weight, vary sets or reps-every couple of weeks. Figuring out the details; tailoring your routine to fit your personal goals and needs is the fun part!

Unless you’ve been living in a cave somewhere in the middle of nowhere, you should be well aware that the gym is no longer just for men, and neither is weightlifting. Gone are the days when women spent their time at the gym running on a treadmill, taking aerobics classes, and avoiding the free weights section. Although treadmills, aerobics classes, and weightlifting machines still have their place in a woman’s gym world, more and more women are discovering and taking advantage of the many benefits offered by weightlifting.

For years, women were scared away from lifting weights by ridiculous rumors and disinformation – usually from muscle-headed men or trainers who knew little about what they were talking about. Weights were for men and so was weightlifting. Women were often relegated to using cute little dumbbells for the purpose of toning their bodies. Weightlifting they were told, makes women bigger, puts them at risk of injury, and makes them look less feminine.

Today many of those misconceptions no longer exist, and if they do, most women ignore them. There are simply too many benefits to lifting weights for women not to include a weightlifting workout into their current exercise routine.

Reasons For Lifting Weights

Weightlifting for women takes place for a variety of reasons. For most women, lifting weights is an effective way of getting their bodies toned and firmed. Most of the time, this type of weightlifting involves light weights and high numbers of repetitions, usually 10 to 15 repetitions of each lift for 2 to 3 sets.

Another reason for why women begin lifting weights is to promote improved weight loss. Lifting weights can increase the body’s ability to burn more calories and fat than exercise alone. Any woman looking to lose weight will definitely consider adding a weightlifting component to their workout.

The final reason for why women choose to lift weights is an obvious one. Weightlifting helps make women stronger. This doesn’t necessarily mean bigger, just stronger. This added strength can work wonders for a woman’s ability to complete more advanced exercises – not to mention the fact that it makes them stronger overall, which can contribute to their ability to last longer during aerobic exercise and workouts.

Weightlifting For Women – The Plan Of Action

Like a weightlifting routine for men, weightlifting routines for women are most beneficial when they involve a full-body workout. For most, this means about 45-60 minutes of hitting the weights, and a series of exercises that will target all of the major muscle groups in the body. Not to say that there is something wrong with exercises that isolate specific muscle groups, but most of the time (especially for beginners) a complete body workout is often the best approach.

Exercises that comprise a weightlifting routine for women might include the following: lunges, bench press (with barbell or dumbbells), leg curls, rows, crunches, flys, squats, back extensions, deadlift, shoulder press, calf raises, step-ups, reverse flys, and reverse crunches. Of course, its impossible to fit all of these exercises into one day’s workout, but selecting 5 to 6 different exercises to do every other day is a very effective approach. It is always important to give your body (especially your muscles) a chance to repair themselves and rest. For this reason, weightlifting should be done at least every two days, and rarely should it be done on consecutive days.

In terms of weight, repetitions, and sets, consider doing 2-3 sets (depending on ability and experience), with 8-12 repetitions per set. Typically, many repetitions of light weights are meant to promote weight loss, while few repetitions of heavier weights tend to be beneficial for building muscle.

Weightlifting For Women – Sample 3 Day Workout

Consider completing the following lifts/exercises, again keeping to the 2-3 sets and 8-12 repetitions approach. Allow yourself 30 to 60 seconds of rest in between each set.

* Day 1 (possibly on a Monday)
o Lunges (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Bench Press (dumbbells or barbells) (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Leg Curls (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Rows (bent over, with dumbbells) (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Crunches / Abs (2-3 sets of 8-12 reps)

* Day 2 (possibly on a Wednesday)
o Rows (seated on a rowing machine) (2-3 sets of 8-12 reps)
o Deadlift (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Flys (using dumbbells on an incline bench) (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Squats (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Extensions (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)

* Day 3 (possibly on a Friday)
o Shoulder Presses (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Step-Ups (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Flys (reverse) (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Calf Raises (on a machine or with free weights) (2-3 sets, 8-12 reps)
o Reverse Crunches (2-3 sets of 8-12 reps)

Gyms are designed as convenient fitness meccas, stocked with all the equipment and services you’ll need to pursue your fitness goals. In fact, some gyms nowadays seem more like luxury health spas than workout locales, with services so thorough they even include massages, steam baths, and facials in-house. However, despite their shine, even the fanciest of gyms can’t disguise the fact that you’re paying for the privilege to exercise in a public place – something which some people find distasteful, for a variety of personal reasons. Some might consider it ridiculous to be paying the sometimes exorbitant gym membership fees to be doing exercises they could just as easily do outside or at home; others feel intimidated by the intense fitness atmosphere and don’t feel comfortable exercising around other people, especially if they feel they are at a lower fitness levels than others around them; and still others might simply dislike the gym concept and prefer to get their workouts elsewhere. Whatever your reasons, if you’re one of those disinclined to join a gym, you can still have a great strength training program by weight lifting at home.

For many people, the privacy of their own homes is their preferred place to work out, and for good reason. Home offers a convenient, close and comfortable environment, where you don’t have to worry about what you look like or whether or not the last person to use the equipment remembered to wipe it down. And, it’s possible to get a high-quality strength training program through weight lifting at home, for a fraction of the cost of a gym membership.

The minimal requirements for weight lifting at home are two equally sized and appropriately heavy weights, and a mirror. The mirror is important in order to check your posture and form throughout your workout. Maintaining proper form is extremely important when doing strength training, since poor form is one of the most common causes of injury during training. It’s especially important to be aware of your posture when weight lifting at home, because of the absence of trainers or other experienced lifters who can correct and assist your form for you. The proper weight lifting stance requires your legs to be shoulder-width apart, always bent slightly at the knees, with feet facing forwards. Your back should be straight, forming a line from hips to shoulders. Your head should face forwards, with your neck neutral, without leaning or drooping in any direction.

You need at least two weights of the same heaviness to start with, although having a variety of weights will be helpful, and later on, necessary. It’s best to use weights designed specifically for weight training, although when weight lifting at home, it’s certainly possible begin with using equally weighted household objects in lieu of dumbbells or barbells. However, it’s a good idea to invest in proper weight lifting equipment, since they’ll be easier to grip onto, and to maintain proper form with. Using these weights, you can perform a wide variety of dumbbell exercises, such as bicep curls, tricep extensions, dumbbell rows and shoulder raises. In fact, you can effectively work every major muscle group simply with body weight and dumbbells, and progress your workouts by changing your exercises or weight load. By doing this, you can make weight lifting at home not only physically effective, but cost-effective as well.

If you’re serious about weight lifting at home, and are ready to make a more serious financial equipment, consider getting a weight machine, or a bench and barbell set to complement your existing dumbbell collection. The latter option will give you more variety for your dollar, since barbells offer great flexibility in terms of possible exercises to perform, and are also significantly cheaper. A weight machine is fairly limiting and most machines only offer a few possible exercises, depending of course on the model. The main advantage of weight machines is that they guide your movements, reinforcing proper form throughout the exercise, which minimizes your risk of injury. However, weight machines tend to be extremely expensive and take up a lot of space, which tends to deter many home exercises from going that route.

There are also some less traditional alternatives to regular free weights for weight lifting at home. One option which is quickly gaining popularity with fitness aficionados is the kettlebell. Kettlebells resemble small iron cannonballs with a handle, and have an irregular center of gravity, which requires a different response from your body to control. These weights can be used for traditional free weight exercises, as with dumbbells, or they can be swung around in wide, arcing movements. These swings increase the aerobic component of the workout, and enthusiasts swear it’s a rapid fat-burning exercise.

Weight lifting at home is an economical and convenient option for those who prefer the comfort of their own home to the gym. It affords you the ability to work out whenever you desire, greatly reduces self-consciousness about exercise, and will cost you less for the initial equipment investment than an annual gym membership, while still giving you a great workout and a strong, fit physique.

While it can be fun, on occasion, to spend hours in a weight room, carefully picking and choosing equipment and working at a leisurely pace, a lengthy workout is not always practical or even possible. Seasoned resistance trainers all have their own methods and tricks for making the most out of their time in the gym. Whether you’re short on time for a particular workout or simply don’t like to be in the gym any longer than absolutely necessary, these simple weightlifting tips will help you get through your strength training routine quickly and efficiently.

1. Have a Plan. Be willing to modify

If you go into the gym with no idea of what you’re about to do, the simple act of deciding-which muscles, which exercises, free weights or machines, how many sets and reps on each, etc.-can take a significant amount of time. I like to keep a workout log, where I keep all of this information written down. When I have time, I can make up my routine and write it down as I go. But for the days where I need to get in and out, it’s quite convenient to flip to a recent page and have a complete workout right there in front of me.

With the blueprint taken care of, I’m free to go to work: hopping from one exercise to another as quickly as possible. But occasionally a machine will be in use, or someone else will be using the weights I want. In situations like this, it’s important to weight the options: wait and waste precious time, or change the plan a little? This brings me to the second of my weightlifting tips:

2. Know your equipment.

I love trying new things in the gym. Whether it’s figuring out a new machine or doing some people watching to pick up a new exercise, I enjoy any opportunity to incorporate fresh components into my resistance training workouts. But when efficiency and speed are top priorities, having to stop and read instructions on a machine, searching for the right piece of equipment, or looking around dumbly, hoping for inspiration, are simply wastes of time.

If you’ve just joined a workout facility, take advantage of the orientation, tour, or complementary training session that many of these places offer. Set aide enough time (possibly a couple of hours) for your first visit so that you don’t feel rushed, and really get to know where things are and how they work. When you pop in a few weeks later and are pressed for time, you’ll be able to fly through a workout with ease.

Familiarity with a facility’s equipment has the added benefit of allowing easy, almost thoughtless variations to your routine. So if someone else is hogging “your” dumbbells or weight bench, you can simply choose another exercise or machine that provides the same workout. No time wasted; no grudges held.

3. The last of today’s weightlifting tips is to try a superset routine. The superset method minimizes down time while still giving your muscles a chance to rest, by alternating sets of exercises for opposing muscle groups. This will get you through your strength training routine in almost half the time, but be warned that it will leave you worn out.

For example, if you would normally do 3 sets of biceps curls, and 3 sets of dips for the triceps (these are opposing muscle groups), try combining the 2 in the following manner. Take your curling weights over to the dip machine. Perform one set of curls, put the weights down, and immediately perform a set of dips. Give yourself a short rest and repeat. You’ll be effectively cutting out at least half of your down time, but still getting through your entire routine.

The next time you’re short on minutes for a resistance workout, don’t skip the gym altogether. When we’re busiest or most stressed is when we need exercise the most. Instead, try out one or more of these weightlifting tips to make your workout quick and efficient. You’ll get everything done, and you’ll be glad you did.

According to online encyclopedia Wikipedia.org, the current world record for bench press is 1075lbs. (487.6 kilograms): set by Ryan Kennelly on 8 November, 2008. Kennelly also holds the four previous world records for bench press, going back to September of 2007.

The earliest world record for bench press listed on Wikipedia.org was set by George Hackenschmidt in 1898. His record was 361 lbs (163.7 kilograms). This record was set long before the bench press gained its current status as an ultimate test of strength. In fact, for much of even the 20th century, serious power lifters considered overhead lifting to be a better test of strength than the bench press.

Even after power lifting began to gain momentum and credit as a legitimate sport (a trend that began after the Second World War; in the middle of the last century), old records were broken and new ones set rather slowly. A Canadian man named Doug Hepburn established milestones as the first power lifter to bench press 400 and 500 pounds (181.4kg and 226.8 kg, respectively).

It was not until 1985-nearly one hundred years after Hackenschmidt’s lift was recorded- that New York born wrestler Ted Arcidi became the first person to bench press 700 pounds (the actual lift was 705 pounds, or 319.8 kg). Arcidi held the world record for bench press for 8 years.

In recent years, records have been put up and broken down with astonishing speed. It took nearly a century from the first recorded bench press world records for someone to achieve 700 pounds. Yet in the less than 25 years since that milestone, strongmen have surpassed the 800, 900, and even 1,000 pound mark.

Since the year 2004, attempts at the world record for bench press have all involved lifting more than 1,000 pounds (453.6 kg): a feat that most power lifters would have considered impossible during the last century. Indeed, the half American ton mark may never have been reached without the invention and introduction of a high tech assistant to the sport of bench press: the bench shirt.

Developed in 1983 by a power lifter and college student named John Inzer, the bench shirt has become a staple for lifters attempting anything close to the world record for bench press. The basics of a bench shirt include thick, springy construction and a tight fit to support the pectorals and deltoids, and assist lifters in the upward movement of the bench press. The starting shape of a bench shirt corresponds to the lifter’s position at the end of the bench press (arms fully extended upward, with elbows locked). It requires a massive amount of weight for the shirt to flex enough to allow the bench press starting position (weight at the chest), and the material’s tendency to spring back to its original shape is what helps a lifter power through seemingly superhuman lifts.

Though the bench shirt has its critics (many of whom decry the bench shirt as an impure addition-essentially a non-biological mechanical advantage-to the sport), its effectiveness is beyond question. As the materials and designs of bench shirts continue to evolve with technological advances, power lifts that once seemed impossible may soon be within reach of the world’s strongest lifters. Attempts at the world record for bench press will require increasingly and dauntingly heavy loads, as the bar on this power sport continues to be set higher than ever before.

I see it all the time at the gym: fitness conscious women with good form and more than a little know-how, doing biceps curls with 5 lb. weights, day in and day out. Some of these same women will push their strength and endurance levels to the max on the treadmill or the elliptical machine; and will lie on a mat in the corner for no fewer than 45 solid minutes doing abdominal exercises. Why, then, are we holding back in the weight room?

For many women, the problem isn’t strength limitations at all, but an all too common fear of “bulking up.” We want to look lean and toned: not huge and bulky, right?

Here’s a solid fact to take with you to your next workout: weightlifting for women can be-should be-real weightlifting: not some tame cousin of the sport. First and foremost it is important to understand that women and men do not gain muscle in the same manner or capacity. Simply put: if a man with the right genetics really hits the gym, increases his protein intake, and possibly ads some supplements to his diet, he has the potential to get huge and bulky. Ladies, I don’t care how much you can bench press: you will never look like Hulk Hogan.

So next time you’re in the gym, really challenge yourself. If you want lean, toned arms, build up some lean, toned muscle by working with weights that really challenge you. If you max out (reach the point where you can’t do any more) in the range of 6-10 repetitions, and do 2-3 sets for each exercise, you’ll be gaining strength and building muscle at a good rate.

Weightlifting for Women: Tips to Really get you Going

- Work all of your major muscle groups, and try to pair opposing groups within a workout, to ensure balance.
- A full body workout will include exercises for: back and chest, biceps and triceps, shoulders and abdominals, glutes and legs (including quads in the front, hamstrings in the back, and calves).
- Pay attention to how you’re feeling during and after each set. If your muscles aren’t fatigued after about 10 reps, it’s time to increase the weight you’re lifting. (Don’t be scared!)
- Switch it up! To keep gaining strength and challenging your muscles, change your workout routine every 2 weeks. You’ll still be working the same muscles: just a bit differently.
- Try something new! Many gyms offer group weight training classes: a great place to push yourself, and learn new techniques and exercises.

And here’s another fun fact: adding resistance exercise like weight training into your workout regimen actually increases your metabolic rate. So you’ll be burning more calories while working out, walking, or even sitting at work than you would without it.

If it’s your first time at the gym, do test out those 5 lb. dumbbells. But if you’ve been working out for a while, change it up and challenge yourself! Your body won’t get huge, but you’ll definitely feel stronger. And who couldn’t use a little extra strength to get us through the day?

Weightlifting became an officially recognized and sanctioned sport more than one hundred years ago. Today, the sport continues to grow in popularity and competitions are sanctioned and regulated by various organizations. In fact, weightlifting is actually the only sport to be competitively practiced worldwide in three distinct centuries (19th, 20th, and now the 21st).

In a traditional weightlifting competition, a participant might be asked to complete just two lifts, the snatch, and the clean and jerk. The amount of weight lifted for these two exercises is often combined to provide a third measure, a total weight lifted component. During a weightlifting competition, individuals are judge both by their ability to cleanly and properly lift the weights during a specific exercise as well as by the amount of weight that they lift.

Another type of weightlifting competition, this one known as powerlifting, features completely different lifts, including squats, bench press, and deadlift. Although these competitions are judged in generally the same way, the lifts that they feature are unique to the sport of powerlifting. In this sport, the emphasis is on weight and power, or the ease and control with which the weight was lifted.

A variety of other lifts and exercises are popular with both weightlifters and powerlifters. However, the difficulty involved in judging these other lifts and exercises makes them unfit to be used in judged competitions. Sometimes, a particular lift is featured as an addition (or in a non-competitive fashion) to the competition, usually as a way of attracting fans and spectators to the actual competition.

Rules Associated With Weightlifting Competitions
As was mentioned earlier, a weightlifting competition typically features individuals completing two lifts, the clean and jerk and the snatch. Competitors are judged not just on their ability to lift the given amount of weight, but also on technical skill and lifting form.

Competitors are given only three attempts to complete each lift, for a total of nine attempts. Weightlifting competitions are very technical in nature, and often involve the use of timers and computers to make sure all participants are given the same conditions under which they are to complete their lifts.

Besides being given three chances to complete a lift, participants are also allowed a maximum of 1 to 2 minutes if time to start a lift, and must increase the amount of weight lifted after each attempt by at least 1 kg. In the end, medals or awards are handed out to individuals in a variety of weight classes. Typically, men are placed into eight different weight classes, including 56, 62, 69, 77, 85, 94, 105, and more than 105 kg. For the women there are seven weight classes, including 48, 53, 58, 63, 69, 75, and more than 75 kg. Awards are given for winners in each of the different weight classes.

Individuals can win a medal or award on the basis of having lifted the most weight in a specific exercise, such as lifting the most weight in the snatch or in the clean and jerk, but they can also win a medal or award for lifting the most weight overall or in combination.

Weightlifting Equipment During Competition
During an actual weightlifting competition, individuals are required to lift weights called barbells, which most individuals are familiar with. The men’s barbell has a weights of 20kg, or about 45 pounds, while the women’s barbell has a weight of 15 kilograms or about 35 pounds. Discs or plates are attached to the end of the barbell and secured with collars, whose weight is also incorporated into the amount being lifted.

Judging At Weightlifting Competitions
The standard number of referees at a weightlifting competition is three. These three individuals are responsible for awarding points to the lifters and determining the winners of the competition. The judging itself is done in a rather simple manner, with referees determining whether or not a lift was completed properly and legally by a competitor. If a referee agrees that a lift is valid, a white button is placed and a white light subsequently turns on at the referee’s specific area on the referee’s table. If a lift is determined to be invalid, the referee will then press a red button, which will cause a red light to turn on, indicating an invalid lift. The participant must hold his or her lift until two of the three referees have either accepted or rejected his or her lift. Upon approval or rejection, the individual will be cued to lower the barbell with an audible signal.

Besides the referee, there is also a group of individuals known as the jury involved in the competition. It is the job of the jury to oversee the referees and determine if any problems exist with their particular judgment. The jury can overrule a decision made by the referees, and the jury’s decision is final and irreversible.