Equipment
The equipment for Olympic Weightlifting is
designed to maximize the performance of the athlete, meaning they are
more capable of lifting heavier weight.
Shoes
Weightlifting shoes have a unique design with a raised heel, flat sole and straps which all contribute to the maximization of the weightlifters performance. The heel is raised by a half inch to an inch. The height in the heel allows the weightlifter to squat down in a more upright position. A more upright torso allows for a greater grip on the bar and a greater chance of sending it upward. The raised heel also allows for a deeper squat where knees are fully bent and shins are tilted forward through increased ankle range of motion. The tilt in the shins is important as it allows for the lowest possible depth and improves mechanical leverage (Charniga, 2006). In addition, in contrast to running shoes, which have an inbuilt cushion to absorb impact with each step taken while running, the objective of weightlifting shoes use all forces acting on the body. Rather than absorb the force, your shoe needs to help you use all the forces your body produces. The greater force produced, the greater weight you can lift (Morjaria, 2012). As shown through Newton’s Third law, the force you apply to the ground reacts back on you with an equal and opposite reaction (ground reaction force). Therefore, the greater force you can produce through the ground will result in a greater force the ground will react on you. This allows you to pull the bar higher to get under the bar as well as transmitting more force from the ground to move up from a squat. Also, all contact points of the shoe will hit the ground due to the flat outer sole. Therefore, the efficiency of the lift will increase. Additionally, the flat, rubber sole of the shoe is designed to increase the coefficient of friction to prevent slipping and stabilizes the foot. Furthermore, the straps on the shoes ensure that the feet are supported in all directions. The consistent base helps with injury prevention which is vital to athletes.
Barbell
Barbells have the ability to store elastic energy and have the capacity to withstand the multiple lifts dropped from various height and of different masses. The sleeves of the bar also rotate smoothly. The bar used to by weightlifters through competition is 2.2m in length, 45 pounds, 50mm in diameter and the grip section is 28mm.
Bumper Plates
Bumper plates, being the weight put onto the end of the barbell, are coated with solid rubber so that they can be dropped safely. They are secured onto the barbell with metal clamps so that they do not fall off during the lift especially lifts going overhead and of fast movement such as the clean and jerk.
Shoes
Weightlifting shoes have a unique design with a raised heel, flat sole and straps which all contribute to the maximization of the weightlifters performance. The heel is raised by a half inch to an inch. The height in the heel allows the weightlifter to squat down in a more upright position. A more upright torso allows for a greater grip on the bar and a greater chance of sending it upward. The raised heel also allows for a deeper squat where knees are fully bent and shins are tilted forward through increased ankle range of motion. The tilt in the shins is important as it allows for the lowest possible depth and improves mechanical leverage (Charniga, 2006). In addition, in contrast to running shoes, which have an inbuilt cushion to absorb impact with each step taken while running, the objective of weightlifting shoes use all forces acting on the body. Rather than absorb the force, your shoe needs to help you use all the forces your body produces. The greater force produced, the greater weight you can lift (Morjaria, 2012). As shown through Newton’s Third law, the force you apply to the ground reacts back on you with an equal and opposite reaction (ground reaction force). Therefore, the greater force you can produce through the ground will result in a greater force the ground will react on you. This allows you to pull the bar higher to get under the bar as well as transmitting more force from the ground to move up from a squat. Also, all contact points of the shoe will hit the ground due to the flat outer sole. Therefore, the efficiency of the lift will increase. Additionally, the flat, rubber sole of the shoe is designed to increase the coefficient of friction to prevent slipping and stabilizes the foot. Furthermore, the straps on the shoes ensure that the feet are supported in all directions. The consistent base helps with injury prevention which is vital to athletes.
Barbell
Barbells have the ability to store elastic energy and have the capacity to withstand the multiple lifts dropped from various height and of different masses. The sleeves of the bar also rotate smoothly. The bar used to by weightlifters through competition is 2.2m in length, 45 pounds, 50mm in diameter and the grip section is 28mm.
Bumper Plates
Bumper plates, being the weight put onto the end of the barbell, are coated with solid rubber so that they can be dropped safely. They are secured onto the barbell with metal clamps so that they do not fall off during the lift especially lifts going overhead and of fast movement such as the clean and jerk.
References
Charigna, Jr. A., (2006). Why Weightlifting Shoes? Retrieved from http://www.dynamic-eleiko.com/sportivny/library/farticles015.html
Marjaria, C. (2012). Weightlifting Shoes: Why you need a pair, What to look for, and When to wear them. Retrieved from http://breakingmuscle.com/olympic-weightlifting/weightlifting-shoes-why-you-need-a-pair-what-to-look-for-and-when-to-wear-them
Charigna, Jr. A., (2006). Why Weightlifting Shoes? Retrieved from http://www.dynamic-eleiko.com/sportivny/library/farticles015.html
Marjaria, C. (2012). Weightlifting Shoes: Why you need a pair, What to look for, and When to wear them. Retrieved from http://breakingmuscle.com/olympic-weightlifting/weightlifting-shoes-why-you-need-a-pair-what-to-look-for-and-when-to-wear-them