WEIGHT LIFTING

Evening Star, Issue 23527, 16 March 1940, Page 9

WEIGHT LIFTING

NOTES AND COMMENTS [By C.H.B.] Local Activity. Activity in the local weight-lifting circles has started with the promise of a successful season ahead, as many new would-be lifters are joining up and others who have called in to see how the “ iron tossing ” is done are promising to consider this sport, ah it is- something new to them. They, see the older members training with a hearty vigour oh all. sorts of exercises, using sufficient weight to do .10 dr 13 repetitions (fOr some of these exercises-very low poundages, are used), and are amazed to see that no one is endeavouring to exert or strain himself by trying to lift impossible weights. Now is the time for those who have'some evenings free in the week to commence as weight-lift-ing pupils, for there are, many months still of the new year in which they can develop their bodies before any serious competition work. Definitions of Lifts; Two-hand. Snatch, No. 2. This lift, known , as, the two-hand snatch, is considered to be oho of the fastest lifts known, as it requires speed and skill of the highest ability. It also defines a beauty of physical movement in muscular co-ordination to make the lift a very spectacular one. The lift: The bar shall _be placed horizontally in front of the lifter’s feet. The bar shall be gripped with both hands and taken in one continuous or “ non-stop ” motion to straight arms' length overhead. To lock the arms by an obvious “ push ’’—that is, where the bar perceptibly stops apd is l * pressed out ” —shall be cause for disqualification. This position often occurs owing to the lifter having a bend at the elbows instead of a straight arm. There must be no pause in the upward movement when the wrists are turned over and the arms commence to straighten. The turnover of’ the Wrists must not take place until the bar has plainly passed the top of the lifter’s head. Uneven raising of the bar 'is not permitted, nor, shifting the grip while lifting. Here are some of the world’s records for this lift:—Featherweight class (132 i), 2151 b; light-weight (148|), 258J1 b; middle-weight (165 J), 2691 b; light-heavy-weight (18l|), 272i1b; heavy-weight (no limit), 297i1b.

How To Train For Snatching; When the correct starting position has bpen achieved the lifter*.' who has been concentrating on a long hara. high pull, mentally determining to pull the bar to the highest poarible point, commences the lift. The back and legs give tbip bar its initial impetus. With every ounce of your strength, pail the bar upfward, keeping it close to the chest ais it rises. Pul) it as high as you can; During' the lift the hands are turned an toward the body sgmewhai, and as }the bar reaches the highest point and the lifter splits the feet—one forward, one back—the elbows are brought to the front, thb hands turned-, back, and the bar will be supported with locked arms. A vicious second pull wili greatly assist you in getting a commendable poundage overhead 1 In splitting it is important (hat the greater pent of the weight be on the front foot. ' In fact, the movement is so balanced; that it is not unlike the position of a, one-legged squat, with the back leg serving merely as a support or balance!- !The lifter must immediately rise from tl*e low position as soon as the bar is owerhead. In training for this particular lift many method; will bring good results. The most imiiortant, however, is plenty of practice. One good plan is to work up from a low beginning in 101 b jumps, performing Wo lifts. The first in regular styled—dire or get set—the second with the dead hang. When the weight becomes too heavy to perform two movements make tingle attempts to go near the limit on the average training nigh. Best results dome from practising three times a week‘s on real snatching, making one day a 3 the heavy day, when you use all the weight you can lift. Another day hate a good work-out on plenty of snatcjhing of varying weights, and a great deal of dead-hang snatching. Doing as many as five movements or more on the third day is wise v Prac- : tising stepping forward, work for speed and a low position. Bang your feet down It will help yon to step forward and move-faster.' A great deal of pressing (as dcoeribed in previous notes) with snatching T-i!! not only make yon,a better weight-kifter, but stronger, healthier, mores active, enduring <iud vital.