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How to Become an Olympic Weightlifting Coach

How to Become an Olympic Weightlifting Coach

If you have a passion for strength training and powerlifting, why not consider a career in Olympic weightlift coaching. In this role, you will be training the country's future champions, and gaining the respect of existing legends within the field.

If that sounds like your dream career, then you’re in luck, as we have put together a thorough guide that explains exactly how you can achieve it. 

This guide will tackle the following topics: 

But before we begin, if you have a passion for all things fitness and want to enter the industry on a professional level check out OriGym’s online personal training course here, for information on how you can jump-start your career.

Alternatively, download our prospectus for further information on all of our fitness courses.

What is Olympic Weightlifting?

Before we explain how you can achieve your Olympic weightlifting coach certification, it will be beneficial for all novices to learn more about the sport itself. 

Olympic weightlifting is one of the oldest forms of weight training and requires competitors to attempt a maximum weight single lift of a straight barbell loaded with a competition bumper plate (the coloured weights that are placed on the end of a barbell) whilst standing outside of a weight rack.

Despite its name, this sport isn’t performed solely at the Olympics. Rather, lifters can work with Olympic weightlifting coaches year-round in order to incorporate specific movements into their repertoire. 

If you’re interested in pursuing this sport, be it through Olympic weightlifting coaching or as a competitor, you will also need to work on training your central nervous system, whilst also improving grip strength and practicing your lifting technique regularly. 

Interestingly, there are only two movements included in Olympic weightlifting, but note that all competitors must master both rather than specialising in one specific area. 

The two lifts involved in Olympic weightlifting are as followed: 

  • The Snatch 
  • The Clean And Jerk 

The snatch involves maintaining a wide grip, the lifter will take the bar straight up from the floor to above their head, in one quick movement. 

Whereas, the clean and jerk is a two-part lift, where the competitor will bring the bar up to their chest (the clean) and then press it over their head, whilst performing a split jump at the end (the jerk). 

Despite only focusing on two movements, Olympic weightlifting coaching is not as easy as it sounds, as lifters can take years to learn and perfect their lifts, as well as build up the weight they perform them with. In order to successfully learn these moves, competitors are encouraged to practice each movement separately. 

 

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What Do Olympic Weightlifting Competitions Consist Of? 

In order to determine how to coach Olympic weightlifting professionally, it is important to understand how the competitions work. By understanding what the athletes go through during these high-pressure moments, your coaching skills will improve significantly as you will be able to determine an appropriate way to support your clients.

#1 - The Weigh-In 

Before weights are even lifted all competitors must take part in a mandatory weigh-in on the day of the competition, this helps to determine which of the 8 categories an athlete is sorted into. This sorting is further cross-referenced by a competitor's age, ensuring that all participants are competing fairly in the correct age and weight division. 

As a coach, it's important to support your athletes during this stage by ensuring that they are signed up for the appropriate category. In addition to this, it is also your responsibility to ensure that your athletes lose/gain weight according to their goals, in order to be eligible for their desired grouping.

This kind of guidance is also taught within OriGym’s Level 4 Obesity & Weight Management.

#2 - Kit  

Within your initial (non-professional) competitions you won’t need to wear any specific gear or equipment, however, uniform regulations come into place as you progress through the competitive stages. 

Once you reach the Home Nations/British competitions you will have to wear a leotard which must comply of the following criteria:

  • Must be a one-piece
  • Must be collarless 
  • May be any colour
  • Must NOT cover knees
  • Must NOT cover elbows 

One of the often-overlooked roles of Olympic weightlifting coaching is imparting all these rules onto newbies. In order for them to even be eligible to compete, you must ensure that their gear is to standard before the competition begins.

#3 - Attempting Lifts 

In both the Snatch and Clean and Jerk categories, athletes will have a total of 3 attempts to execute their heaviest lift. Typically, the athlete attempting to lift the smallest weight within the category will go first.

The rules of competition clearly state that athletes MUST increase the weight following every successful lift, and must do so by a minimum of 1kg. Athletes are given 1 minute to perform the lift, and an additional 2 minutes to perform a consecutive lift. 

#4 - The Judging Process 

A total of three referees must watch as the competitors lift their first attempt, each referee has a control box with two buttons, one white and the other red. 

  • The White Button - This is used when the referees judge the lift as ‘Good’. 
  • The Red Button - This is used when the referees believe the athlete has committed a fault during the execution of the lift. This is then dubbed a ‘No Lift’. 

In order to determine what is a ‘Good Lift’ or a ‘No Lift’, a majority decision must be reached with the three judges. For example, if two judges press the red button, the lift will fall under the ‘No Lift’ category. 

An example of a ‘No Lift’ is when an athlete uses their foot to move the bar before an attempt.

#5 - The Scoring Process 

The athlete's scores are calculated by combining their best lifts in both Snatch and Clean and Jerk categories. The winner of the competition is the lifter with the highest combined total score. 

If there are two athletes who tie then the lifter who achieved the result first will win, e.g. the lifter with the best score in the Clean and Jerk category. If these scores are identical however, then the lifter who reached their total score in the fewest number of lifts will win. 

Olympic Weightlifting Coaching Qualifications 

In order to pursue Olympic weightlifting coaching on a professional level, you will need specialist qualifications, in areas that prioritize weight training above all other aspects of fitness. Without achieving said qualifications, you will not be able to coach at an Olympic level. 

In order to enter this industry you will need to achieve four specialist qualifications: 

In order to better understand each Olympic weightlifting coach certifications, OriGym has broken the qualifications down separately in order to dissect what they specifically entail. 

OriGym’s CBD Fitness Course Strength and Conditioning Course 

Before deciding to specialise in the practice of Olympic Weightlifting at OriGym we believe it’s beneficial to first gain a basic understanding of strength and conditioning practices. Our course acts as a great platform for those just starting out in the industry, so why not take the plunge today? 

By enrolling in our CBD fitness course you will acquire vital skills and knowledge needed to professionally coach weightlifters. You’ll learn firsthand from industry professionals and by the time you graduate, you’ll be guaranteed an interview with a gym in your local area. 

The best part,you only need a Level 2 Gym/Fitness Instructor qualification to enroll, making it the perfect course for newcomers to find a specialist interest in. 

This course is critical for developing your knowledge around strength and conditioning training, and the effects it has on our bodies and minds. Other courses that specialise solely in Olympic Weightlifting will assume you have some prior knowledge on the subject, and will therefore avoid teaching you even the basics.

Get ahead of those in the specialised course, and lay a good foundation of knowledge for yourself with OriGym’s CBD Fitness Course in Strength and Conditioning. By doing so you’ll learn the following topics:

  • Introduction to strength and conditioning coaching
  • How to plan and prepare athletes for strength and conditioning classes 
  • How to test a weightlifters fitness levels 
  • How to conduct an observational assessment. 

Our expansive course will arm you with the experience needed to immediately launch your career following graduation. Regardless of whether you decide to pursue Olympic weightlifting coaching or choose to stay focused on strength and conditioning, you’ll be set for your next phase of life. 

If you're interested in learning how to become a strength and conditioning instructor, we can recommend checking out this OriGym article, which will provide greater detail about this specific occupation.

 

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Level 1 Award - Becoming an Assistant Coach 

‘British Weightlifting’ is the country's leading provider in Olympic weightlifting coach certifications, and in order to be professionally recognised within the industry, you must follow their curriculum and training plan. 

The first Olympic weightlifting qualification you will earn is your level 1 award, which will grant you the ability to be a certified assistant coach. 

This is classified as an entry-level course and is suitable for individuals aged 16 and above. Much like a Level 2 Gym/Fitness Instructor course, this qualification is suitable for complete beginners as you need no prior experience in weightlifting or the fitness industry to apply. 

This is a great starting point for anyone looking to learn how to coach Olympic weightlifting, as it covers the practice’s basic rules, safety points, roles, and responsibilities. Upon the completion of this course, you will achieve a better understanding of the process and principles involved in coaching adults and children through weightlifting.

During your qualification, you will learn the following qualities:

  • How to coach Olympic weightlifting
  • How to optimize your coaching performance 
  • The main physical qualities athletes need in order to develop within the field 
  • How to identify bodily positions required for the snatch and Clean and Jerk
  • How to assist during these lifts in a safe manner

By earning your Level 1 Award you will be able to assist a more qualified coach within their sessions, be that in a club, gym, or virtually. 

Please note, working with someone who has more experience than you is incredibly valuable and will provide you with a plethora of personable information. OriGym strongly recommends not rushing into your Level 2 immediately following your graduation, instead of taking this opportunity to work with others.

Level 2 Certification - Becoming an Independent Coach 

The next Olympic weightlifting coach certification you can achieve is the ‘Level 2’ grade, which allows you to become an independent coach. No longer will you have to merely assist, you will be personally responsible for training your clients.

This kind of advanced training is somewhat similar to a Level 3 Personal Trainer Course, in the sense that your Level 2 Olympic weightlifting coach certification will help you to hone the knowledge and skills acquired within your Level 1 Award. 

Please be aware, in order to even enroll on this certification you will first need to complete a Level 1 Award. Without this initial requirement, you will not even be considered for a placement, the steps to become an Olympic weightlifting coach are chronologically placed for a reason and cannot be skipped.

This qualification will also provide you with more information on how to independently coach Olympic Weightlifting, this time paying more attention to psychological aspects. Specifically, the promotion of effective communication between coach and athlete, a factor that allows both parties to reach their full potential.

Achieving this accreditation in Olympic weightlifting coaching will also certify you to:

  • Engage with 10 key assistance exercises used to increase athletes' performance in Snatch and the Clean & Jerk.
  • Create linked and progressive sessions that fit into a 6-week training block
  • Design group and individualistic sessions 
  • Receive an introduction to competitive coaching

The only other requirement for this specific Olympic weightlifting certification is that you need to be aged 17 or over. If you fit this category and want to pursue this career for yourself, these certifications can be earned through both practical and virtual assessments. 

Level 3 Diploma - Becoming an Olympic Weightlifting Coach

When committing to Olympic weightlifting coaching on a professional level the Level 3 Diploma teaches coaches how to plot and provide support for their athlete's long-term goals. This includes specifically looking at athletes current skills and determining what areas require improvement 

This is currently the most advanced specialised Olympic weightlifting coach certification available in the UK. Whilst the accreditation process is still fairly new, it consists of coaches designing a 6-week training schedule, whilst also completing an array of online assessments. 

Whatsmore, this course will provide you with the highest possible qualification within this field, arming you with the tools and knowledge required to be the best possible strength-based trainer for your clients. 

In order to be eligible for enrollment on this course you will need to first acquire both your Level 1 Award and Level 2 Olympic weightlifting certifications. However, other than that there aren’t any other requirements needed to fulfill your role within this course. 

At this professional level, the Level 3 Diploma in Olympic weightlifting coaching primarily focuses on turning regular weightlifting athletes into medal-winning global superstars. This is achieved by ensuring coaches are specialised in the following areas:

  • Technical Performance 
  • Physical Performance 
  • Preparation Mindset 
  • Performance Mindset

The main objective behind this program is to strike the balance between principal and prescription, providing both Olympic weightlifting coaches and their athletes with objective tools, which can be used for optimising performance. 

If you provide Olympic weightlifting coaching on an amateur level, OriGym encourages you to still pursue this course. Whilst this is a highly specialised training program, it is by no means restricted to being solely accessible to trainers who coach Olympians.

Achieving any of these qualifications is an impressive achievement, and you should be proud to work within Olympic weightlifting coaching at any level. These certifications won’t be easy to achieve, however, once they are within your grasp you will be able to advance your career straight to the Olympics. 

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Roles and Responsibilities of an Olympic Weightlifting Coach

In order to understand how to coach Olympic weightlifting, you need to become better acquainted with the responsibilities of the job. This section is dedicated to dissecting the job role and detailing specific circumstances which you may need to assist with. 

Some sports require coaches to remain out of the field of play, making them incapable of participating in the strategy and guidance of the athlete. Tennis even fines and suspends coaches for signaling to their athletes. 

On the contrary, Olympic weightlifting coaches are allowed to act within close proximity of their competitors. Consequently, these coaches can motivate their athletes in a more efficient manner, through performing tasks that can greatly affect the outcome of the competition.

#1 - Ensuring a Proper Warm-Up is Conducted 

One of the main roles involved in Olympic weightlifting coaching is ensuring that your clients execute a proper warm-up. Note, this routine should not be too physically demanding as it could impact their competitive performance. 

The main purpose of this warm-up is to promote physiological warmth, with minimal physical exertion. This can be achieved through joint mobilisation, and other activities which are known to increase blood flow. 

It’s also important to ensure that athletes engage with warm-up lifts, which will help to reinforce neuromotor patterns. Said patterns will brace the body and its nervous system for the increasing weight it’s about to lift.

One of the integral responsibilities of Olympic weightlifting coaching is ensuring that these warm-ups are performed accurately. As a coach, you should be watching every warm-up lift and analysing the athletes' pattern, form, dynamic, and speed.

#2 - Attempt Selection 

Another important role that comes along with being an Olympic weightlifting coach is selecting the weight your athletes will attempt to lift. 

The knowledge of how to accurately select this will come from achieving an Olympic weightlifting coach certification, as well as engaging with the athlete on a personal and professional level. Both of these factors will ensure you are equipped to tackle these responsibilities, however, always be sure to place an athlete's comfort first and foremost. 

Using our insider knowledge, OriGym recommends avoiding excessively large increments between the 1st and 2nd lift, or between the 2nd and 3rd. This can cause distributions to your nervous system, and therefore weights should not be drastically changed on a whim, as the result will only reflect poorly on both the athlete and coach. 

This type of knowledge can also be gained from studying our strength and condition CPD course. Here, not only will you learn about the dangers of willfully increasing weights, but you will also gain a better understanding of the physical limitations of the human body. 

Most athletes are too introspective during competitions to decide upon their own attempts, therefore it befalls the coach to make these calls. Arguably the most important responsibility involved in Olympic weightlifting coaching is ensuring the safety of your athletes, so be sure to never push them beyond their limits.

#3 - Reading The Opponents 

This is somewhat of an off-shoot responsibility from the point made above. But another role involved with Olympic weightlifting coaching is determining what weight the opponents will be lifting. 

Naturally, this can’t always be 100% accurate, as any competition can have unpredictable outcomes and events. However, if you have specialised within the weightlifting industry you should be able to determine these factors to some extent.

This may involve scouting opponents prior to the event, some competitors will be regular on the circuit and will thus be easier to read. However, when it comes to newbies or rising stars, we would recommend using the knowledge acquired from your Olympic weightlifting coach certification, as well as your common sense to determine this. 

Whilst this may seem like an intimidating part of the job, we promise you that this task will eventually become second nature. 

As this is a competitive sport, evaluating these factors is important in determining the success of your client. By knowing the actions of your competitors, you will be able to accurately alter your athletes' approach and attempts.

#4 - Providing Encouragement 

Regardless of whether it's needed or not, you should always encourage your athlete at any stage of a competitive event. Both athletes and coaches will undoubtedly make many sacrifices, be it physical or emotional in order to get to a competition, so be sure to offer an added boost of morale when you get there. 

This is a psychological factor that often goes overlooked, in favour of focusing on the job roles’ physical roles and responsibilities. 

However, there is a fine line between encouragement and distraction and you should always avoid being an overtly loud cheerleader on the sidelines. If a coach is screaming from the sidelines, it will only act as a distraction to the athletes and may cost them the competition.

At OriGym, one of the best pieces of advice we can give on the topic ‘how to coach Olympic weightlifting, is to offer honest encouragement. If the athlete fails to execute a lift the role of the coach is to explain why it happened and provide advice on how they can approach the next attempt.

Remember, during these competitions athletes have tunnel vision of sorts and won’t be in the right frame of mind. Be sure to guide them accurately, rather than filling their head with mindless words of encouragement that they can hear from anyone else. 

 

Become a Level 3 Personal Trainer in Just 4 Weeks!

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#5 - Addressing Errors 

Olympic weightlifting coaching is not always about glory and your athletes may not always end up on the podium. However, as a coach, it's your job to instantly address any errors that may occur, and come up with solutions to prevent them from happening again.

These mistakes may happen at the competition itself, in this instance, you must immediately communicate with your client in order to ensure this mistake does not impact the following lifts. 

For example, a common mistake that coaches must address is leg drive, if an athlete lacks in this area they won’t be able to accurately execute a jerk. 

This is why it's so important to have an Olympic weightlifting coach certification, as by doing so you will be better educated within the field and thus able to pick up on form and technique inaccuracies. Lesser qualified coaches will fail to pick up on this, thus ensuring that the athlete continues with an inaccurate lifting strategy.

#6 - Building an Athletes Competitive Confidence 

Building an athlete's competitive confidence is somewhat different to providing encouragement when at a competition. During the early stages of their career, many weightlifters will compete in non-major events, these are crucial for building confidence.

Whilst some lifters may not want to compete at an event that isn’t highly prestigious, it is an important requirement for building newcomers' confidence. Lifting at the gym with a trainer is completely different to competing at an event, non-major competitions give athletes the opportunity to become acquainted with the pressure of lifting in front of others.

Due to the intense physical demand that the sport of weightlifting imposes, competitions are still scarce and not as frequent as events such as marathons. Therefore, it's important to encourage your clients to take every opportunity they can, no competition is ever too small.

We hope that this section has provided you with further insight into how to coach Olympic weightlifting. As evident from the sections above, this occupation is much different from other coaching jobs in the fitness industry, due to its highly specialised nature. 

If you are interested in gaining experience in a specialist area, OriGym has a plethora of courses to choose from, including the Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy certification. Specialising in an area of fitness is an excellent career move, as you will be able to hone your knowledge into one occupation, rather than have general knowledge of an extensive topic. 

What Makes a Bad Olympic Weightlifting Coach? 

Whilst this article is largely dedicated to teaching how to coach Olympic weightlifting, at OriGym we felt it beneficial to share ways in which coaches may behave inappropriately. We strongly advise against this type of behaviour, as they all produce negative outcomes. 

This section will be beneficial for both coaches and athletes to read. For athletes, it will provide insight into the type of behaviour you shouldn’t stand for, whereas for coaches it will act as a moral lesson in appropriate behaviour.

#1 - Treating Athletes Poorly 

As a coach it is your responsibility to take care of your athletes' physical and mental health. Just because you have a position of authority does not mean you have the right to abuse your power by holding it over your clients' heads.

Let’s be clear, there is a difference between being strict and being abusive, a coach should be strict, and encourage their athletes to push themselves to meet their goals. However, if a coach is simply rude, ignores your limits, and treats you with a lack of respect, they are not worth your time or money.

There are always other coaches out there, so if you find yourself suffering at the hands of an abusive weightlifting trainer, simply thank them for their time and move on. As athletes, you deserve someone who will encourage your dreams, and fill you with support and enthusiasm, at OriGym we advise you to go out and find that coach!

#2 - Being Unqualified To Take Athletes Career Further 

If a trainer has all of their Olympic weightlifting coach certifications then they won’t mind sharing them with clients. At OriGym we advise all athletes to be wary of anyone who is unwilling to disclose information resting to their qualifications or training. 

If you find yourself questioning the legitimacy of your trainer we would advise you to consider the following questions: 

  • What is the trainer's background within the sport?
  • Has the coach accomplished anything significant?
  • Does this coach have the ability and skill to take me to the level I want to reach?
  • Have they taken anyone else to the same/a similar level?
  • What do other athletes say about this coach?
  • What is my gut instinct about this coach?

When taking these questions into consideration, it's important to remember that not all coaches are required to have personal experience in weightlifting in order to be successful. In the same vein, not all Weightlifting gold medalists have what it takes to become great coaches.

Sadly, without the proper Olympic weightlifting certifications, it's hard for newcomers to acquire the necessary skills needed to be an effective coaches. Regardless of whether the coach is a newcomer to the industry or a former athlete themselves if they are not equipped to teach the athlete won’t see the results.

#3 - Being Unorganised and Dishevelled

As an athlete, you may have found a supportive coach, who works hard and is well accomplished in the industry, but at the same time is a disorganised mess. As someone who is supposed to be a guiding influence to their clients, all trainers must be well organised and present themselves in an orderly manner. 

If you would like more information on how you can present yourself in a professional manner, our article on how a personal trainer should dress will provide you with insight within this particular field. 

We would strongly advise that all trainers try to maintain some level of organisation, in both their professional and personal lives. Always be sure to turn up to your training sessions on time and ready to work, likewise, be sure to stay on top of your other responsibilities such as competition prep. 

However, we would also encourage athletes to be somewhat sympathetic to an extent. If your trainer is going through a rough patch in life, then they will naturally not be themselves, and these moments in life should be taken into consideration before they’re branded as unprofessional.

Olympic Weightlifting Coaches Salary Expectations

If you have prior experience of working within the fitness industry you can probably expect that this isn’t an easy question to answer. 

Arguably the two biggest variables that affect the amount coaches earn is their qualification levels, and whether they’re independently coaching, or are employed by a gym or the Olympic committee itself. 

As mentioned within OriGym’s article dedicated to the salary earning of strength and conditioning coaches, typically coaches who specialise in weight training earn between £18,00.00-35,000.00 annually.

We have previously discussed how your experience and educational background can affect your salary. When looking into this topic closely, it becomes apparent how necessary a specialised qualification (such as the aforementioned Strength and Conditioning course) is needed in order to achieve a good annual salary. 

For example, when looking at Glassdoor we can see that the highest paying jobs with companies such as Arsenal Football Club and the Royal Opera House all require you to have the highest levels of educational qualifications.

However, these websites fail to take into account that some weightlifting coaches work freelance and will be charging their own prices. Whilst some Olympic Weightlifting Coaches may be retired athletes who are working for free due to the passion they share for the sport, you will often find more experienced coaches charging higher prices. 

Another factor that may influence coaches' salary is the athletes' overall performance at the event itself. Many countries' Olympic committees are known to give bonuses to coaches when their athletes achieve a medal. 

This was noted recently when the Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed they paid their coaches an extra $10,000 for a gold medal, $7,500 for a silver and $5,000 for bronze. Every country has some sort of award scheme in place, however, many are not willing to disclose the exact information surrounding Olympic coaches' bonuses. 

Therefore, when discussing the salary of Olympic weightlifting coaches it’s hard to give an exact estimate of how much you can earn within the year. What we can recommend is setting yourself up for success, by achieving the highest possible level of qualifications before starting your career. 

Do I need Insurance to be an Olympic Weightlifting Coach? 

As discussed throughout this article, one of the primary responsibilities of an Olympic weightlifting coach is to ensure that your students are practicing the sport safely. However, accidents naturally happen and should one of your students become injured during training you will require insurance, in order to protect yourself. 

However, this doesn’t solely apply to just Olympic weightlifting coaches, at OriGym we would advise everyone working in the fitness industry to invest in insurance. For an in-depth exploration into specific companies, check out our article in which we compare personal trainer insurance policies and prices across the UK.

We would recommend investing in specialised coverage, designed specifically for Olympic weightlifting coaches. This insurance will protect you should the following incidents ever happen: 

  • A student damages your equipment during a session.
  • Your equipment is damaged or stolen in alternative situations.
  • An action you teach is brought into question, following a client’s injury.
  • You become personally injured during training and can no longer teach.
  • One of your employees injures themselves during teaching/training and claims compensation against you. 

Typically, your insurance quote will vary depending on which site you use. OriGym strongly advises conducting price comparison research before deciding to sign up for one, in order to get the best possible coverage for your budget. 

One example of an insurance company that provides this specialised cover is Insure4Sport, whose estimated quotes can be seen above. Typically, with this type of coverage you will pay monthly installments in return for a payout should you ever need it.

As you can see from the quotes provided above, the likelihood of a higher payout will increase with the more insurance you are paying. We would recommend ensuring that you have the highest possible level of coverage, in order to ensure that you are protected to the fullest extent.

 

Become a Level 3 Personal Trainer in Just 4 Weeks!

Launch your fitness career with OriGym's award-nominated Personal Training Diploma.

FAQs

As an Olympic Weightlifting Coach Should I Invest in Specialised Gear? 

When engaging with the practice of Olympic weightlifting coaching OriGym strongly recommends investing in specialised gear. This will help to improve both your skills and abilities and that of your clients too. 

If you’re embarking on a career of Olympic weightlifting coaching, then you must invest in the following pieces of equipment:

Weightlifting Belts: Typically these belts are five inches thick, are made with leather, neoprene, or nylon, and fasten across your abdomen. The purpose of the belt is to create abdominal support, providing stability and protection for your back and spine when lifting. 

Typically these belts are used when athletes are looking to maximize their lifting, in order to achieve new personal bests. However, many professional lifters view these belts as a crutch stating that relying on them too frequently is equivalent to using stabilisers, and will deprive your body of a strong core.

Knee Sleeves: These are also stereotypically made from neoprene, and act as an uber tight tube for the knee. This little piece of fabric can help to keep your patella in place, during lifts that would otherwise create high pressure on your knees. 

However, please be aware that no connections have been made to show that wearing a knee sleeve will help improve the amount of weight you can lift. Instead, this piece of equipment specialises in aiding in form and preventing injury. 

Weightlifting Shoes: There are different types of shoes for specific sports, and weightlifting is no different. This specialised design often comes with a steel heel lift, which will help you keep your weight on your heels whilst lifting, ensuring that you will stay balanced. 

It’s so important to invest in a pair of weightlifting shoes, regular shoes have limited ankle mobility which in turn cause lower levels of flexibility in the calves. This will cause lifters to rock back and forth, creating an unstable frame and structure.

These three pieces of equipment are mere recommendations of specialised pieces of equipment that we feel will benefit your career. Naturally, every trainer's method of teaching will differ and if you have found a different gear that works for your clients continue to use it, in order to develop your own unique take on coaching. 

 

How Much Time Needs to be Dedicated to Olympic Weightlifting Coaching? 

There are multiple answers to this question, first and foremost it will take a minimum of 3 years to achieve your Level 3 Olympic weightlifting coach certification. Between this time, you will be working within the industry, as both an assistant and independent weightlifting coach. 

However, once you have fully qualified the amount of time you choose to dedicate to this part of your life is entirely up to you. For some, this is a full-time occupation, where they could be working with their clients for up to 40+ hours every week.

Alternatively, others choose to coach for passion rather than a profession. This will typically involve fewer hours when compared to those who choose to pursue coaching as a source of full-time income, however, there are exceptions to this of course.

If you’re wondering how much time you should devote to coaching, OriGym would advise using your own judgment. Everyone has a different schedule, and you must approach this from a point that is right for you and your lifestyle.

The last thing you want to do, however, is overexert yourself and put in too many hours. Whilst your clients are important, they should not be the sole focus of your entire life, be sure to leave room for social activity, and respite for your physical and emotional health. 

Before You Go! 

If you have decided to pursue a career within Olympic weightlifting coaching, OriGym would like to wish you the best of luck with your future success. We hope that our article has provided you with the necessary information needed to launch your career. 

As an Olympic weightlifting coach you have the opportunity to shape the future champions of your country, it may not be an easy task, but the rewards far outweigh the hardships.

Before you go, if you have a passion for all things fitness and want to enter the industry on a professional level check out OriGym’s online personal training course here, for information on how you can jump-start your career.

Alternatively, download our prospectus for further information on all of our fitness courses! 

Written by James Bickerstaff

Content Writer & Fitness Enthusiast

James holds a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing and Film Studies and has recently gained a MA degree in Film, both of which he attained from Liverpool John Moores University. After taking up the couch to 5K challenge on a whim, James found a new passion for running, which he combines with his love for healthy cooking and writing. All of this led him to becoming a copywriter for OriGym.  

When he is not writing content for the site, James can be found researching new recipes, writing music reviews, reading and watching latest film releases.   

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