Client #511a in Workout Questions and Answers

Are Olympic weightlifting the best type of weightlifting? Are Olympic weightlifters the strongest? The types of lifts for Olympic weightlifting is the clean and jerk and also the snatch. Are Olympic weightlifters generally the strongest pound for pound? I hardly ever see anyone do the clean and jerk and the snatch in the gym but those lifts look like they work every muscle in the body. They look like hard lifts.

Firstly there is no best weightlifting disciplines will vary based on goals ie. competition aesthetics or total.
Pound for pound yes they usually tend to be but that comes down to training variations between powerlifting bodybuilding and olympic. Olympic and powerlifting share similar lifts but olympic lifts focus on explosiveness where as powerlifters are more focused on max weight they can lift in a single rep for squats deadlifts and bench press. Bodybuilding is more aesthetics for the stage and favor isolation over compound lifts.
Olympic lifters squat and deadlift as well but usually lighter than powerlifters and would swap the bench press for an over head lift like overhead press to help with explosive lifts like the snatch.
You don’t see many people doing the olympic lifts simple because the average gym isn’t built for that they tend to have lots of cardio and favor a broad selection of weights and some even will have sleds and some crossfit options or cables. They tend to favor more bodybuilder and powerlifter style training more than olympic.
The lifts are difficult at first but when one breaks the moves down and masters form properly they are actually fluid and easier to do. Just ensure you are safe and have form nailed down if you want to attempt these lifts start light and work up.

Last updated March 18, 2019