Olympic weightlifting is not an easy sport. You will want to give yourself the best change possible at excelling and achieving your goals. If you are looking to do this by purchasing an Olympic weightlifting book, then look no further.
In this article, we have read and reviewed five of the best weightlifting books available to purchase. They are all great options that will take your weightlifting to the next level.
They cover topics such as the best and correct techniques, fitness plans, advice, and nutritional information. We have also included a buyer’s guide that provides you with all the information to consider before purchasing an Olympic weightlifting book.
OUR TOP PICK
Our top choice is the Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches. If you are a beginner that is looking to get into Olympic weightlifting for the first time, this is the perfect option for you.
The book focuses on explaining everything you need to know in detail, and it is simple and easy to follow, which is perfect for beginners. It teaches and instructs you on all the lifts you will need to do, and the techniques you will need to follow.
It has programs you to follow to get the most out of your training, and if you are a coach, it will teach you some things you will need to take into consideration. It advises on the best ways to warm up, and also gives nutritional advice. It focuses on the correct training and exercises to carry out in order to be successful.
When it comes to the book length, it is 423 pages in total, which is a substantial length. Unfortunately it is only available to purchase in paperback, which does mean that this book may not be accessible to everyone.
As it was published in 2009, while it is slightly dated, it still provides up to date and accurate information. The author Greg Everett has been part of a weightlifting team and has experience of the training himself, making him a reliable and trustworthy author.
When looking at the price of the book, it is reasonable and not too expensive for a paperback.
Pros:
- Reliable author - The author has experience with weightlifting and can be trusted to provide the correct advice
- Great for beginners - This is a great book for those who are starting their weightlifting journey
- Detailed book - The book provides you with everything that you need to know about Olympic weightlifting
Cons:
- Paperback only - As the book is paperback only, it is not fully accessible to everyone
BEST VALUE FOR THE MONEY
Olympic Weightlifting for Sports is our top choice when it comes to the best value for money. As it is written by Greg Everett, the author of our top choice, you know that this book is written by a reliable and trustworthy author.
The price of this book is one of the best featured on this list. There are two options to choose from, the paperback and the Kindle book. While the paperback is more expensive, the Kindle version is a lot more affordable, which is great if you are shopping on a budget.
When looking at the length of the book it is only 106 pages long, which is fairly short. While the price reflects this for the Kindle, it does not so much with the Paperback.
This book is a great guide if you are looking for a quick guide to weightlifting. It is a great book if you are looking to improve your performance and training techniques, that are also outside of weightlifting.
The wording is easy to understand, and the book is simple to follow. This is useful if you are new to weight lifting.
Pros:
- Easy to understand - This is great if you are a beginner
- Reliable author - The author has experience in weightlifting, which is important
- Different formats - It is available in Kindle and paperback which is great
Cons:
- Book length - As it is quite a short book, the price of the paperback is quite expensive
EDITORS CHOICE
100 Days of Technique: A Simple Guide to Olympic Weightlifting is our editor’s choice. As it is written by multiple authors, it will give you a good insight into different people’s opinions and knowledge of Olympic weightlifting.
It is only available in paperback, and it is one of the more expensive books featured. However, it is 270 pages in length, which is a good size.
If you are looking for a book that will focus on and help you with your technique in particular, this is a great option for you. While it may not be the best place to start for beginners, it is perfect for those who have some knowledge of Olympic weightlifting already.
It is easy to follow and understand, and the information is set out clearly. The advice given has proven results and there are many tips included. Overall, the book is extensive and detailed.
As the authors have weightlifting experience, you know their advice and the information can be trusted.
Pros:
- Experience authors - As the authors have weightlifting experience their advice is accurate and reliable
- Great for weightlifters - This is a great option if you already have weightlifting experience
- Easy to understand - This is important as it allows to have the correct techniques
Cons:
- Limited formats - It is only available in paperback, which is not ideal
RUNNER UP
The Complete Olympic Lifting Handbook is a great option if you are getting into Olympic weightlifting for the first time. As it was released in 2015, it features up to date and current information.
It goes into detail about everything you need to know about Olympic weightlifting, from the correct techniques, to all the different weightlifting lifts you will need to master. The book is simple to follow and easy to understand which is important for beginners.
The book is available to purchase in two different formats, Kindle and paperback. While the paperback is the more expensive option, the Kindle edition is one of the cheapest options featured.
The author is the owner of a very successful training facility. Given this, the information provided in this book is reliable and trustworthy. It focuses on strength and conditioning training in addition to technique.
Pros:
- Accessibility - It is available in both Kindle and paperback
- Perfect for beginners - As it explains everything in detail, it is a great option if you are a beginner
- Affordable - When looking at the Kindle option, this is very affordable
Cons:
- Expensive - While the Kindle version is affordable, the paperback is quite expensive
RUNNER UP
Our final book is fairly short, being only 160 pages. It is available in both Kindle and paperback formats. The price is the same for each, and it is another affordable option.
The author Dave Randolph, is a fitness instructor, though he does not specialize in weightlifting, which is worth keeping in mind. The book is simple to follow and easy to understand, which is great.
It focuses on the basics of Olympic weightlifting and how you can lift hardcore. It discusses strength and lifting techniques, form, and how to weight lift safely. If you are looking for a great beginners guide, this is a useful option.
Pros:
- Accessibility - It is available in Kindle and paperback formats
- Easy to understand - It is easy to understand and follow
- Price - It is not overly expensive to purchase
Cons:
- Author experience - As the author is not a weightlifter, they do not have the experience that other authors have.
Best Olympic Weightlifting Book Buying Guide
Before you purchase an Olympic weightlifting book, there are certain things you need to take into consideration.
Cost
Before you purchase a book about weightlifting, it is important to ensure that it is within your price range. When looking at weightlifting books in general, surprisingly there is a big difference in prices.
While there are many affordable book options to purchase, there are many more expensive options. When it comes to the cost, it is important to remember that the cost of a book does not always reflect its content. While some of the more expensive books may be the best available, this is not always the case.
We would always recommend checking out the content of a book before purchasing. You may find that a cheaper book that is more within your budget is a better option in comparison to purchasing one that is more expensive.
When it comes to the cost, an individual book can have different prices, depending on the format you purchase it in. For example, hardback books are typically more expensive in comparison to paperbacks. Audiobooks tend to be the most expensive option, and e-books are typically the cheapest option.
Type of book
The type of book you purchase is important. When we talk about the type of book it is, we are talking about the way in which you are consuming the book. For example, there are many types of books. The most common way to consume a book is paperback, hardback, e-book, and audiobook.
When looking at the purchasing options, you will want to ensure that it is in the format you prefer. There is no correct format to choose, and everyone will have their preferences.
For example, if you prefer to read on an electronic device, an e-book is the best option. However, if you prefer a physical book, a paperback or hardback is a better option for you.
As these books focus on weightlifting in particular, you may find that an audiobook is a useful option for you. This is because you can listen to the audiobook while you are practicing your weightlifting.
However, in contrast to this, you may prefer to purchase a written version as they will often contain graphics or images that can help you to improve your form and techniques.
Author and their experience
As you are looking to purchase Olympic weightlifting in particular, it is important to take note of the author, especially given as this is more of a niche topic.
It is likely that you are purchasing this book with the aim of learning more about the Olympics and how you can compete or replicate the athlete’s training. Given this, the more insight the author has, the more you will benefit from reading their book.
The best books about weightlifting are likely going to be written by someone who is in the world of Olympic weightlifting. This could be an Olympic weightlifter, or their trainers. Both groups of people will have hands on and personal experience with the topic.
While anyone can research into Olympic weightlifting and provide their opinion, only those who have truly experienced it will be able to offer the best advice. The more versed the author is in weightlifting the more accurate and good advice they will be able to provide you with.
Content
Given that you are purchasing a book with the intent of learning more about Olympic weightlifting, it is important that the content is good. While all Olympic weightlifting books will have their own content, they should cover everything you need to know.
The content will vary, but ideally you will want the book to cover all the different types of lifts Olympians need to do, and how you can replicate these lifts correctly. In addition to this, the book should provide a good guide and advice on weightlifting in general.
Some may have meal plans, or weightlifting training plans to follow too, which are both useful.
Ideally, you will want to use this book as your guide about everything you need to know about weightlifting in the Olympics. Given this, the more extensive the book is, the better it will be. You will want it to provide you with good advice and a solid plan to follow that is easy to understand and replicate.
In addition to this, you will want to choose a book that has the most up to date content. Older books may have outdated Olympic weightlifting information. The last thing you will want to happen is to take in information that is incorrect. Given this, you should check where possible that the information given is correct.
Length of the book
The last thing you will want to take into consideration is the length of the book you are purchasing. While the length of the book does not necessarily mean that the longer the book is, the better its content is, it is still important to consider.
For example, if you are looking for an extensive book with as much information as possible, you will want to choose a longer book. In contrast to this, if you are looking for a quick guide to follow a shorter book may be a better option.
When looking at the length of the book, you should also consider its price. Typically, longer books will be more expensive. However, this is not always the case. Ideally, the length of the book should be reflected in the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 2 Olympic lifts?
There are two Olympic lifts in weightlifting that you will want to become well acquainted with. These two lifts are the Clean and Jerk, and the Snatch. If you are looking into Olympic weightlifting, it is important that you master both of these lifts.
These two lifts are very different from each other, and require different types of techniques to master them. This is why it is important to correctly research and practice them both.
Will Olympic lifting make you bigger?
Yes, Olympic weightlifting will make you bigger on the whole, and it increases and grows your muscles. There are many muscle groups that weightlifting targets.
However, the main muscle groups it works are triceps, upper back, and the core. You will find that when training there are other muscle groups that will be worked too.
As your muscles build and grow, and you gain in strength, it is normal for your body to become bigger and more muscular. This is why the majority of weightlifters may appear to be bigger in comparison to some other Olympic athletes.
Is Olympic Weightlifting bad for you?
No, when you take all things into consideration, Olympic weightlifting is not bad for you. Weightlifting is a great exercise that will help you to decrease the amount of body fat you have and will improve your strength and health. Any type of exercise is positive.
However, given the type of exercise that weightlifting involves, you do not have to be careful when training. Form and the correct lifting techniques are essential when it comes to Olympic weightlifting.
If you use an incorrect or poor technique, you are far more likely to experience injuries due to poor form.
