The snatch and the clean and jerk have both been in the fitness game for quite some time. Though slightly differing from their modern counterparts, the one-handed lift (comparable to a snatch) and the two-handed lift (comparable to a clean and jerk) debuted at the 1896 Olympics in Athens, Greece. This sport would continue to grow and evolve into an Olympic staple. However, to a person simply looking to improve their health and fitness, these exercises might seem so convoluted that they would potentially bear no utility outside the context of the sport. This article will discuss briefly why the snatch and the clean and jerk are a great addition to a fitness program.
Precision: Both the snatch and the clean and jerk are technically intensive; a lot of practice is required to develop proper form and become proficient. This greatly aids a person’s bodily awareness, which is a very useful tool for learning new skills and even performing the skills you already have better!
Power: Once a person’s technique has become proficient, emphasis is then placed on speed. Speed allows us to produce more power (power = work / time), which is what fitness is all about!
Performance: Precision and power are both extremely useful athletic qualities, but they can be quite difficult to apply at the same time. The beauty of the Olympic lifts is that a person does not have to focus on these qualities specifically. They simply need to channel their attention towards learning the snatch and the clean and jerk properly and train them, and the benefits will come with!
In summary, if you want to be able to run faster and jump higher, the Olympic lifts are a great fitness tool. You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to reap the benefits of the snatch and the clean and jerk.
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