Here is a video from our CrossFit Thunder Olympic Lifting Seminar.  If you would like to host a Seminar Send us an email (info@crossfitchesaepake.com) and checkout our New Seminars Page and see what others who have attended our seminars had to say. 

Here is another Olympic Seminar Video.

The blogs are back up.

When pulling the bar for a lift athletes want the bar to travel the shortest distance possible in the pull.  If the bar is not pulled straight  up it causes an inefficient pull and greatly increases the chance of a missed lift. 

Coach Wilkes give an in depth look at how the bar should travel in a snatch or clean pull.  Stay tuned in the next two weeks we will post what Coach has to say about the feet and shrug during the pull.

CrossFit Chesapeake's Oly lifting Clinic, Click Here

The New Coach's Corner Video will be up by 12:00 today.  Tune in then for a in depth look at the bar path from Coach Wilkes.

Here are some points from Coach at the Olympic Weightlifting Seminar.

Any comments or questions post them below. Thanks.

Snatch drops are an easy exercise to build confidence and ability under the bar.

A snatch drop mimics the drop under the bar after the pull.  Since the bar is already at shoulder height it gives you plenty of time to get under the bar.  (It is like you pulled the bar up to your shoulders.)  Since you have this extra advantage most people can do more weight in the Snatch Drop than their Snatch.  This adds to the lifters confidence to control heavy weight. 

You can develop your ability to drop under the weight, also.  This is critical for anyone that wants to Olympic lift.  This builds your ability to commit to being under the bar and supporting the load overhead.  When this ability is reached your will not be afraid to drop under any weight you pulled from the ground.

Remember keep your core and shoulders tight, and drop in to that Olympic squat position.

Any Comments or Questions please post them below.

How do you squat like an Olympic weightlifter?

The squat is an important motion in Olympic lifting.  Your squat position controls how you support and catch the weight you just pulled from the floor.  The catch of a clean or snatch can be made easier and safer by just changing the angles of your hip, knees, and ankles.

In an Olympic squat you want to do one thing: SQUAT!  A squat is the bending of your legs not your back.  In the Olympic squat you bend your legs to reach the ball, you don't lean forward.  Leaning forward puts your body in an unnatural, un-functional position that can not hold or control weight.

When trying to learn the Olympic squat, use it where ever you go.  You only learn things by doing them, not just using them when you are Olympic lifting.  Olympic squatting is more functional and produces the power and strength needed for Olympic Lifting.   Use the squat in your workouts. 

In the Olympic Squat you want to remember to keep your chest up, butt down, and your knees over or past your toes.  Hold this position for the whole squat and not just the bottom.  A major factor here is core strength.  Keep you core tight.

If you have any questions or comments use the comments section of this blog and we will get to you right away.

Squat like an Olympic Weightlifter

Coach's Corner will be up soon.  We will be posting exercises, tips, and technique for Olympic Weightlifting.  Post your questions in the comments section of the post and they will be answered.  This is so everybody can learn from others questions.  Coach's Corner will be up by the beginning of next week.  Thanks.