Strong Legs are the key to big lifts
You might be wondering why we squat so often in our TRAIN program?
Why is having strong legs is super important in Olympic weightlifting?
Well, let us break it down for you!
1. PRODUCE POWER:
Olympic weightlifting is all about explosive power. When you do moves like the snatch or clean, you need a ton of power to lift those weights up fast. And guess what? Strong legs are like your power station. The stronger they are, the more power you can make, helping you lift better and faster.
2. STAYING BALANCED:
Balance and stability are huge when you're lifting heavy stuff over your head or switching between moves. Your legs act like a strong base, keeping you steady. So, if you've got strong legs, you're less likely to wobble or get hurt. It's like having a solid foundation for your lifts.
3. PROTECTING YOUR JOINTS:
Lifting weights can put a lot of stress on your joints, especially your knees and hips. But if your leg muscles are strong, they can help absorb some of that stress and keep your joints stable. Plus, strong legs can lower the chances of getting hurt while lifting.
4. TECH TECH TECH:
Technique is key in weightlifting. You want to lift with the right form to be efficient and save energy. With strong legs, you can keep your form in check throughout your lifts, making sure you're using your muscles the best way possible.
5. BETTER RESULTS:
Strong legs mean you can handle heavier weights, do more reps, and bounce back quicker from workouts. Whether you're aiming for personal bests or competing, having strong legs can help you reach your weightlifting goals.
To sum it up, having strong legs is like having a secret weapon in Olympic weightlifting.
They help you generate power, stay steady, protect your joints, nail your technique, and achieve your best results.
As coaches, we always focus on building up leg strength because it's the key to helping athletes succeed and reach new heights in the sport.
So, if you want to improve your oly lifts, start by building those strong trunks!
Here’s a good way to build those trunks brick by brick:
Week 1 - Squat Heavy Monday + Deadlift & Squat Light Friday
Week 2 - Squat Heavier Monday + Power Clean & Squat Light Friday
Week 3 - Squat Heaviest Monday + Power Snatch & Squat Light Friday
Week 4 - Slight deload
Repeat, repeat, repeat.
Some good ways to improve your squat without squatting (pattern overload):
Heavy Hip Thrusts 3 x 15 reps 1-1.5 min rest in between sets
Wall Squats 3 x 1min Holds 1-1.5 min rest in between sets
Single Leg Work - Lunges, Box Step Ups, Bulgarian Split Squats 3 x 10-15 per leg 1-1.5 min rest in between sets
Plyometric jumps - depth jumps, broad jumps 3 x 8 reps 1-1.5 min rest in between sets
If you want to jump in the crew and gain the leg strength of your dreams, hit our FREE trial page HERE.