5 Myths About Olympic Weightlifting

It’s fair to say that Olympic weightlifting is a little misunderstood. If you’re new to the sport, you may have misconceptions based on things you’ve heard in the media, pop culture, or people around you. 

In this article, we debunk five of those myths…

5 Olympic Weightlifting Myths: 

Myth #1: Olympic weightlifting is dangerous

It’s easy to understand why, on the face of it, Olympic weightlifting might be seen as a risky sport. After all, the aim is to explosively move a barbell loaded with weight from the ground to overhead, which could potentially put a lot of strain on the body. And of course, injuries do happen. But the risks are reduced with good coaching; the more athletes work on their technique and build up their strength and mobility, the better prepared they are to lift heavier weights. 

What’s more, statistics show that Olympic weightlifters have relatively low rates of injury compared with common team sports such as football, rugby, or basketball. So you’re no more likely to sustain an injury in the Olympic weightlifting gym than you are in the five-a-side cage.

Myth #2: Olympic weightlifting will make you bulky

It’s true that some Olympic weightlifters are, for want of a better phrase, ‘big units’. You’ll know that’s the case if you’ve ever watched the men’s +109kg finals at the Olympic Games. But that’s also true of the men’s heavyweight division in boxing. And no one’s suggesting that boxing makes you bulky.

The truth is that while Olympic weightlifting is likely to boost an athlete’s strength — and they may put on a little muscle as they lift more weight — how bulky they are is almost entirely due to their diet. 

Just as the guys fighting for the lightweight title in boxing have very low body fat percentages, some lifters are incredibly lean and compact. 

And, as we'll come onto, Olympic weightlifting is an effective way of losing fat. 

Myth #3: Olympic weightlifting is a man’s sport

This outdated view certainly doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Team GB took four weightlifters to the Olympic Games in Tokyo last year. All four were women and one of them, Emily Campbell, won the country’s first medal in the sport in 37 years. 

Women’s weightlifting is on the rise and we’re proud that 70% of Mem’s Weightlifting Club members are women. 

Myth #4: Olympic weightlifting is intimidating

If you're new to the sport, Olympic weightlifting may seem a little intimidating at first — especially if the sound of a barbell crashing back down on the ground catches you off guard. But really, there's no need to feel apprehensive about it. Our gym's a friendly and inclusive space where everyone — both experienced lifters and newbies — is welcome to train. We recognise that no one is born an Olympic weightlifting expert; so no one will judge you for taking the time to learn the ropes. 

Myth #5: Olympic weightlifting isn't as good for burning fat as cardio

When it comes to fat loss, Olympic weightlifting is highly effective. During a heavy session, you can burn more calories and stimulate more muscle growth than if you spent the same time doing steady-state cardio. 

Studies have also shown that a few months of Olympic weightlifting improves resting heart rate, blood pressure, and VO2 max, areas of health that are typically associated with cardio workouts. 

Now those Olympic weightlifting myths have been debunked, perhaps you feel inspired to give it a go. So why not book a session at our Camberwell gym or check out our training programmes?