Olympic weightlifting is a traditional sport that is now experiencing a rebirth in popularity, whereas Crossfit is one of the largest fitness trends on the globe. Are they really so different? In today’s article, we’ll learn more aboutcrossfit vs weightlifting.
Olympic weightlifting is a deep sport that teaches just two strength and power exercises: snatch and clean & jerk to the greatest level. Whereas Crossfit is a broad sport that incorporates a large variety of movements, exercises, and physical abilities all trained to a decent level. Let’s take a deep look on crossfit vs olympic lifting.
What Is Weightlifting
Olympic weightlifting is a sport in which participants compete by effectively lifting the highest weights while using a barbell weighted with the plates from the floor to overhead. Snatch and clean & jerk are two exercises that athletes compete in.
The wide-grip lift known as the snatch involves lifting the weighted barbell overhead in a single motion.
A combined movement known as the clean and jerk involves lifting the barbell from the platform to the front rack position – clean phase, then lifting it above – jerk phase.
Each weightlifter is given three attempts at the snatch and C&J, with the snatch attempts coming first. The total of the heaviest weight successfully lifted in kg for each lift determines an athlete’s score. Different weight classes, which differ for each gender and have changed every 3-4 Olympic cycles, are used for competition. Lifters earn an “incomplete” entry for the meets if they are unable to properly complete at least 1 snatch attempt and at least 1 C&J. Since the first Summer Olympic Games in 1896, weightlifting has been an Olympic sport.
Weightlifting Workouts
Weightlifters devote the most of their training preparation to performing different barbell lifts in order to increase their strength. The majority of exercises are snatch, C&J, pulls and squat variations.
Every day training structure
warm up
Before each training session, weightlifters go through a full warm-up that lasts 15 to 30 minutes and raises body temperature while incorporating dynamic stretches and movement-specific drills.
Main Workout
Weightlifters workout for between one and two hours, focusing mostly on: snatch, C&J, pulls, squat variations and additional drills. A good example of this type of programming is – Male Competition Program.
cool down
After each training session, weightlifters go through a specific cool down for 10 to 30 minutes. Some athletes spend this time concentrating on their technique and finishing their accessory workouts for the tiny muscles.
Training Schedule per Week
Beginner weightlifters often work out for 1-2 hours, 3-5 days per week. Depending on the season, professional or elite weightlifters may attend up to 15 training sessions each week.
Lifters often base their yearly training schedule on a select few competitions. Instead of trying to stay in top shape all year, the objective is to perform at your best at the biggest events of the year.
In general, an athlete spends more time on general strength the further away from a competition they are. Lifters divert their attention away from the technical aspects of the lifts and toward increasing general strength.
Here is a good example of an “off-season” training program for weightlifters – Weightlifting Bodybuilding.
During this “off-season”, some lifters even cut back on training sessions or start playing more outside activities to keep in shape. During this time, it’s not unusual to see lifters forsake the Olympic lifts. Many weightlifters choose to place a strong emphasis on strength development with workouts like squats and complexes, which are a series of linked barbell movements performed without breaks.
The training intensifies and gets more technical as the lifter approaches a competition. Different Snatch and C&J variants take the role of regular training. Of course, every rule has exceptions.
Weightlifting Pros & Cons
Olympic Weightlifting Pros:
- a good method to increase explosiveness and overall body power;
- can connect the gap between the training room and the playing field;
- can aid in the development of elasticity in soft tissue & joints;
- make a strength training program more interesting and challenging.
Olympic Weightlifting’s Cons:
- challenging to master and do effectively;
- it may take years of practice to execute perfect;
- high injury risk with modest payoff;
- effective for athletes, not necessarily for regular people.
What Is Crossfit
About ten years ago, when box gyms started to appear not just in the USA but also across the world, CrossFit gained enormous popularity as a fitness training. Members of more than 13,000 affiliated gyms across 120 countries participate in CrossFit. Over 7,000 gyms in the United States alone offer the CF program. There are approximately 4 million CrossFitters worldwide, and the group has even been compared to a cult because of how dedicated its members are to the competitive style of training.
CrossFit is a type of high-intensity interval training; it is a strength & conditioning routine composed of functional movements carried out at a high level of intensity.
These movements include those you do every day, such as squatting, pushing, pulling, carrying etc. Many exercises that assist growing muscles include variants of squats, weightlifting, and pressing that endure for set periods of time. This is different from a typical exercise, which could specify how many repetitions to perform over any time.
The emphasis placed on the factors of load, distance, and pace throughout the exercises, which aid in the development of strong levels of power, makes them so successful. To do this, the workout may make use of various types of equipment: barbells, speedropes, kettlebells, rowing machines, balls, airbikes, ect.
Crossfit Workouts
The four main components of a normal CrossFit exercise are warm up, power & strength block, (WOD) workout of the day and cool down. Each session can be adapted to any fitness level, so every person can participate.
The fundamental framework of CrossFit workout:
warm up
You must warm up before the main part, just like any other workout. Depending on the session’s primary objective, the exact CrossFit warm-up will alter.
However, it will entail:
Light aerobic exercises, such as two minutes on an assault bike, rowing machine, or ski erg. In order to improve ROM throughout your session, mobility practice is incorporated. A crucial component is muscle activation. Your muscles will warm up as a result, getting ready for an intense exercise. The duration of the warm-up might range from five to fifteen minutes.
Strength Block
Strength training is part of CrossFit. There are specific days when your workout will focus largely on building your strength through particular routines. Beginners will practice their form & technique by performing reps & sets of these exercises. Lifters who are intermediate and advanced will intensify these exercises to develop their strength in the 1-6 rep ranges.
WOD
Typically, this is a high-intensity circuit which incorporates many movements to test one or more aspects of your fitness, such as anaerobic power, coordination, conditioning, endurance, etc. This is one of the main differences in crossfit vs weight training. Usually, WOD lasts somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes. However, if the strength block is shorter, it may occasionally be longer.
cool down
The goal of a cool down is to get your heart rate down to normal resting levels, and it usually lasts for five minutes on average.
Crossfit Pros & Cons
Сrossfit Pros:
- strong community;
- exciting atmosphere;
- competition.
Сrossfit Cons:
- lack of personalization;
- lack of programming;
- lack of scalability.
Weightlifting vs Crossfit Comparison
The workouts’ unpredictability is therefore what sets crossfit vs weightlifting. Olympic weightlifting concentrates on a smaller number of exercises to develop Snatch and C&J, but CrossFit concentrates on a large variety of varied type exercises.
Different Approach To Competition
The challenges that the participating athletes will face during the CrossFit games will not be explained to them until the day of the competition. In Olympic weightlifting, where they prepare for two lifts — the situation is very different. There are significant differences in the training equipment as well in crossfit or strength training.
Different Training Goals
Crossfit aims to combine power and endurance. High endurance/rep exercises are combined with some strength training during workouts. Olympic lifters aim for power, which combines strength and explosive speed. They work out emphasizing intensity over repetitions. Crossfitters are strong and powerful, yet they cannot match the weights lifted by Olympis weightlifters. The same is true for weightlifters; they are unable to match crossfitters’ WOD results.
Weightlifting Can Help Excel At Crossfit
Many athletes choose to focus more on weightlifting, which aids in performing CrossFit routines. Squatting improves weightlifting performance, which improves CrossFit performance, which is essentially just yet another method of indicating that they are more physically fit. Check this training program designed especially for CrossFit athletes who want to put more attention on Olympis weightlifting – WL4CF.
Balance Between The Two Is Difficult
Many experienced athletes and coaches advise that you select a choice: weightlifting vs crossfit. You cannot have everything. It would be ideal to choose only one way, but choose at least one priority. CrossFit is more focused on overall fitness and the “model” look. Olympic weightlifting is mostly about strength and power, with little emphasis on appearance.
FAQ
Is Crossfit Or Weightlifting Better For Weight Loss?
While both weightlifters and CrossFitters can be used for demanding, intensive workouts, CrossFit provides a more effective way to lose weight while Olympic weightlifting encourages the development of speed and power.
Can I Build Muscle With Crossfit?
You need muscles and a body fat percentage low enough to show it if you want to look athletic. You will surely gain muscle mass by doing CrossFit. You might also enhance your mobility, flexibility, and stamina.
Is Crossfit Good For Strength Training?
Yes, of course! CrossFit could be a useful workout for increasing your basic strength level and also cardiovascular fitness, agility, and flexibility.
Conclusion
So, is CrossFit preferable to weightlifting? The vast majority of those who have experienced a lot in both CrossFit and weightlifting claim that weightlifting is superior to CrossFit. This is more about setting goals, making plans to achieve those goals, and achieving those goals than it is about the world’s fittest man. Because CrossFit is so unpredictable, a lot of athletes prioritize weightlifting at least twice a week. It’s your time now! Which training will you select? Please tell me everything in the comments!
