I like powerlifting and other barbell and kettlebell lifting, but here are the Top Ten Reasons I Like the Olympic Lifts:

10. The lifts use the entire body in one fluid motion. There is no isolation aspect about them.

9. They look cool, (when they are done correctly)!

8. The names of the lifts themselves are double entendres. You can use the words now in polite company.

7. You don’t look like a bodybuilder or a powerlifter, but you do look damn strong.

6. The speed, power and explosiveness generated transfer well into many sports and activities.

5, People in the gym don’t quite know what to make of you. One guy recently asked me, “Why are you doing high school lifts?”

4. They are very technical and therefore a challenge to learn and master.

3. You pretty much have free access to the proper equipment, at least in my gym, because you don’t have to compete with others on “chest day” or “leg day”.

2. Chicks dig you. (Ok, I made that up, but that’s Curry’s motivation for snatching “a wheel”).

1. When the lift is completed, you get to drop the loaded barbell from over your head and let it bounce around and make a lot of noise. Even a light load is loud.

Go ahead, use the Comments below to add to the list.

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