A Beginner's Introduction to Olympic Weightlifting

Hi all,

Just thought I'd post up my introduction to, and experiences of, Olympic Weightlifting in East Coast Barbell, in the effort to maybe get other people to take it up as a sport and maybe to answer some people's questions about it if they have any.

First, a bit about my background, I'm male, 27 and over the last few years I've taken an interest in improving my life in all aspects, particularly health, fitness, strength and nutrition, all of which tie in together to certain degrees in my opinion.

I've joined a couple of different chains of gyms in the past, in the hope of getting "the body I've always wanted", which never really worked out. I didn't have the knowledge to achieve that goal and looking back, the gym staff advising me didn't have the knowledge either. I needed something else.

So I took up long distance running and ran every 5 mile, 10k, 10 mile and half marathon I could find, culminating in the Dublin City Marathon in October 2009. I found running to be great for increasing my stamina and fitness, but my strength had decreased significantly. Instead of the fat I thought my body was burning/losing with all the running I was doing, it was muscle that was falling off my body. I was 65kg and culd still grab my belly! :eek:

So I gave up the running after the marathon and began a beginner's powerlifting program, Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. I followed the program by the book, squatting heavy (relatively) three times a week, even drinking a gallon of milk every day (GOMAD) for a month to put some meat on my skinny-fat frame after the marathon. While my strength levels and the amount of muscle I had shot up, so did the body fat levels. Something needed to be done as I had just crept over the 95kg mark, and didn't want to see 100kg on the scales. I could squat my body weight 15 times with ease, but I was badly unconditioned. I couldn't even run 500m without any difficulty. One extreme to the other. :rolleyes:

And that's when Boards.ie came to my rescue.

I was looking at trying something different, again! I had thought of getting into something like Crossfit, but had heard mixed reports. And then one day I saw a post by G'em offering free introductory Olympic Weightlifting training to one lucky person. To be honest, I knew very little about the sport, but I'm one to always try something once. So I got in contact with G'em and arranged to meet her in the gym she trains in in Bray, East Coast Barbell.

My first impressions when I found the place were "Cool, now this is what I've been looking for all along"! I was introduced to the two guys that run the place, Barry Kinsella and Sami Dowling, and an Olympic Weightlifting coach, Wayne Healy. Basically, it's a converted garage in a small industrial estate on the Dublin side of Bray, easily accessible by Dublin Bus. It has everything for training, be it Olympic Weightlifting, rugby, GAA or just those that want to work out. I was impressed with the quality of the equipment - the weightlifting platforms, the range of weights and plates, chalk, straps, racks/cages, benches, dumbbells, prowlers etc - and also the coaching - all the guys in there compete, and some have weightlifting records (and hopefully a few more)! The coaches have various backgrounds such as rugby, strength & conditioning, powerlifting and Olympic Weightlifting and are really friendly, and a very important aspect of East Coast Barbell is that there's always at least one coach on the gym floor at all times. Not only is it reassuring, but they'll always push you on further, something which I need at times! There's an on-site physio who gives complimentary screening and creates a pre-hab program depending on your flexibility/weak spots upon joining, and recently I've spotted a masseuse working there also (but I'm not sure if that's a permanent fixture).

Anyway, while meeting G'em, I was told about a beginner's "introduction to weightlifting" class that would be held twice a week for 4 weeks, so I signed up to it. Wayne would be my coach and there were a few other people taking part. While I didn't get the spot advertised by G'em, I was enjoying my training so much with Wayne and the others that at the end of the four weeks I decided to join the gym and become a full member. I could see the progress I was making, my strength was good, I was losing weight, my flexibility was improving, my fitness levels were coming back and I started sleeping better, eating better and had a growing feeling of awesomeness each and every day. So once I joined the coaches created my own specific program, one where I get tested every month or so, and the program changes in accordance with my progress.

I've been a member now since the start of January, so about 10 weeks so far. My weight has gone from 95.5 kg to 88kg, weight-loss of over a stone. My strength has increased, I'm having great fun learning the snatch and the clean & jerk and am progressing steadily, the fitness/combos side of things always keep me on my toes fitness-wise and probably most importantly, I've thoroughly enjoyed every moment and become friends with all the coaches and members. I'm on a first name basis with most people there, something that never would have happened in a commercial gym. I'm also planning on entering my first competition in the Summer with the help of East Coast Barbell, as long as I get my weightlifting boots before then! :pac: Wish me luck with the competition!

Anyway, if anyone has any questions, reservations, comments or thoughts about beginning Olympic Weightlifting, throw them at me. Particularly those that are thinking about trying something different. Believe me, you won't regret it! It's AWESOME!!!