We have joined together with Judokats Weightlifting Club to offer this unique training program to our members.
Learn to Olympic Weightlift:
Master Strength, Speed, and Skill
Unlock your athletic potential with Olympic weightlifting — a dynamic sport that builds explosive power, total-body strength, and unmatched coordination. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your technique, this program will guide you through the fundamentals of squats, deadlifts, push press, snatch, cleans, and jerks – along with mobility work.
Led by experienced coaches, you’ll learn:
- Proper form and technique for safe, effective lifting
- Mobility and strength drills to support your progress
- How to build confidence under the bar
- Programming strategies for long-term development
Perfect for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone ready to challenge themselves and grow stronger — physically and mentally.
Lift with purpose.
6-Week Introduction Sessions
- September 8 – October 20 (no class on October 13)
- October 27 – December 1
YMCA Membership is required. For ages 10 years and older.
After completing Learn to Olympic Weightlift, take your training to the YMCA conditioning floor! Youth ages 10-13 years may complete the Free Weight Orientation at the discretion of the Fitness Director.
Participants are encouraged to JOIN the Judokats Weightlifting Club for more opportunities to make gains! This club is an official Saskatchewan Weightlifting Association (SWA) training centre and gives lifters an opportunity to compete and train.
How Olympic Lifting Boosts Sports Performance:
- Explosive Power Development
The snatch and clean & jerk are all about generating maximum force in minimal time — a key trait in sprinting, jumping, tackling, and changing direction. This translates directly to sports like football, basketball, soccer, and track & field. - Improved Rate of Force Production
Athletes need to produce force quickly — whether it’s launching off the ground or reacting to an opponent. Olympic lifts train the nervous system to fire rapidly and efficiently. - Enhanced Core Stability & Balance
Both lifts require strong core engagement and balance under load. This improves posture, body control, and injury resilience in dynamic sports environments.
- Better Mobility & Flexibility
Olympic lifting demands and develops mobility in the hips, shoulders, and ankles — crucial for fluid movement and injury prevention in sports.
- Coordination & Timing
Executing a lift requires precise timing and coordination between muscle groups. This neuromuscular efficiency carries over to complex sport movements like swinging a bat, throwing a ball, or executing a kick.
- Mental Toughness & Focus
Training Olympic lifts builds concentration, discipline, and confidence — mental traits that are invaluable in competitive sports.
- Transferable Athletic Qualities
Olympic lifting improves vertical jump, sprint speed, and agility — all measurable performance metrics in many sports.
