Weighlifting Term Reference Guide

At ATOMIC we believe it's a worthy pursuit for damn near everyone to develop mastery in their Olympic lifts.

Why? There is no better way to develop powerful hip extension (the most fundamental movement in almost all athletic endeavors), achieve a more stable core, or target as many muscles effectively in less time.

For the sake of simplicity, here is a quick guide for the terminology associated with the Olympic lifts and their variations...

From the ground up...

Jump stance -  our feet position for any of the big pulls; clean, snatch, or even the deadlift.  Feet underneath our hips, toes straight ahead, feet flat, weight over the middle part of the foot.

Catch stance - our feet position for the squat (and also where you receive Cleans and Snatches).  Feet shoulder width apart, toes out slightly, feet flat, weight over the middle part of the foot.

Starting positions*...

Hang  - means the lift starts in the high hang position or in simpler terms, at the top of your hips.

High hang position - bar at top of hips

Low hang position - bar slightly above knees.

*In the absence of the term Hang, the exercise starts on the floor just like the deadlift.

Catching postions*

Power - means you catch the lift in a partial squat position. Imagine the bottom of the push press.  Power variations are the most common form of the exercise at Atomic.

Muscle - means you catch the lift in the fully extended position. Very uncommon to perform the muscle variations of exercises.

*In absense of either the term Muscle or Power, the exercise should be caught in a full squat.

Grips

Snatch grip - wide grip, double overhand

Clean grip - outside of your hips, double overhand

Any questions?  Ask me in person or send and email to prime.atomictotalfitness@gmail.com

Shawn Classen