weightlifting

/ˌweɪtˈlɪftɪŋ/

The sport in which athletes compete to see who can hold the heaviest barbells is called weightlifting. To participate in weightlifting, you need a lot of upper-body strength.

In the Olympics, weightlifting is an event in which competitors heft enormous, heavy barbells up over their heads and attempt to hold them there. These barbells are stacked with weighted plates and can be as heavy as 250 pounds. Weightlifting requires powerful arm, back, and shoulder muscles, whether it's done competitively in the Olympics or as part of strength training for other sports.

Definitions of weightlifting

1. noun

   bodybuilding by exercise that involves lifting weights
   synonyms: weightlift

   types:

   jerk

   raising a weight from shoulder height to above the head by straightening the arms

   bench press

   a weightlift in which you lie on your back on a bench and press weights upward

   clean, clean and jerk

   a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then jerked overhead

   military press, press

   a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then smoothly lifted overhead

   snatch

   a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted overhead in one rapid motion

   incline bench press

   a bench press performed on an inclined bench

   type of:

   anaerobic exercise, bodybuilding, muscle building, musclebuilding

   exercise that builds muscles through tension