The major feud between the two totally different types of weightlifting is not only in the way the weight is lifted, but also how different exercises are used to lift the weight to a specific point. Olympic lifting focuses mainly on lifting with maximum explosive power, while powerlifting focuses primarily on using one’s limit strength to lift the weight.
Olympic lifting
By far one of the most difficult sports of all time, Olympic lifting consists of learning how to lift the maximum amount of weight over ones head. This may sound simple but it is very difficult. The most important aspect of any kind of weightlifting is the form with which one executes the given exercise. Olympic lifting has two different lifts: the clean and jerk, and the snatch. The clean and jerk is sometimes referred as the holy exercise as it alone can grant the user an entirely strong body. If looking to improve ones athletic ability, one should really look to Olympic lifting as it really gets the user ready to handle sudden drastic changes in weight as well as granting them incredible explosive power. Even though the main goal is to lift the most weight in the clean and jerk and the snatch, the lifter must also use other exercises to build up other parts of the body that would enable more overall lifting strength. The third best exercise for an Olympic lifter is the back squat as it really gives the user a feel for incredibly strenuous amounts of weight and helps to get ones knees and back ready for the sudden maximum exertion. This type of weightlifting really requires the most amount of attention and dedication as there will most definitely be injuries and “bad days” but the level of severity relies on the lifters approach to the sport. Three judges usually rule whether the lift was good and there must be a majority rule for it to be declared good or not.
This type of weight lifting is the only sport that really tests ones limit strength directly, and while that is good, Power lifting is within itself a lifestyle. Being a powerlifter requires one to fully focus on pushing heavy weight and increasing ones caloric intake to account for the added stress to ones body. Power lifting focuses primarily ones own one rep max in three different exercises: Squat, Deadlift, and the Bench press. When doing these exercises, the lifter usually performs them very slowly and has someone confirm when the person has gone far enough up or down to qualify as a clean lift. These kind of lifters are typically larger than Olympic lifters because they focus primarily on their muscles to lift the weight, while Olympic lifters rely on their central nervous system to supply enough power(work/second) to lift the weight. Modern bodybuilding is a form of power lifting, but without direct focus upon the major three lifts, but the approach is usually very similar. Power lifting is great for adding bulk to ones size, but in terms of athletic skills, Olympic lifting would be superior in helping one develop themselves athletically.
The biggest difference between these two styles of lifting is that Olympic lifting is done very quickly, while power lifting is done moderately slowly. The exercise that really divides but unites the two is the squat. Both of the lifters use the squat because it is probably the greatest exercise of all time! The difference being that the Olympic lifters descend with their knees first, focusing more upon the quadriceps while power lifters descend first with the glutes and with a wider foot stance to focus primarily on the lower back and glutes. Both kinds of weight lifting should be taken very seriously and a professional trainer should be on hand when trying to learn any of the exercises explained.
