The Allen Community College Weightlifting Club will compete as a team in USA Weightlifting Competitions. Our members are not required to be full-time students. We welcome high school students as well as retirees to join our team. Full time Allen College students will also be competing in collegiate competitions.

Initially, we will train on technique along with some strength building. By concentrating on these areas when we enter our first competition the technique should be successfully mastered. Competitions will first consist of one day trips to area contests. As we improve we will schedule overnight trips to important events outside the local area.

The Lifts

Olympic style weightlifting competition consists of two lifts: The snatch and the clean and jerk. The competitor has three attempts to complete the snatch and another three attempts at the clean and jerk. The greatest weight lifted in each of the two lifts is added together for the total weight. This total becomes the competitor's score. A competitor is able to lift more weight in the clean and jerk than in the snatch.

The snatch is a lift in which the weightlifter lifts the barbell from the floor to arms length overhead in one continuous motion. The clean and jerk requires the lifter first pull the weight from the floor to their shoulders in front of their throat and then pushes the weight overhead. Women have snatched over 300 pounds and clean and jerked over 400 pounds. Men have snatched over 440 pounds and clean and jerked over 550 pounds.

Weight divisions and age groups

Women (kilograms):
48,53,58,63,69,75,+75

Men (Kilograms)
56,62,69,77,85,94,105,+105

1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds.

Men and Women in Years
35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54,55-59, 60-64,65-69,70-74,75-79, 80-84, 85-89,90-94