Team Georgia Weightlifting


"Developing Exceptional Students Into Elite Athletes"

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What exactly does Team Georgia do?
A: Team Georgia Weightlifting (TGW) is a local weightlifting club (LWC) sanctioned by USA Weightlifting (USAW).  It is composed of five schools: Flowery Branch High School, Union County High School, Jackson High School, Chestatee High School, and Georgia Institute of Technology.  Team Georgia Weightlifting provides training in Olympic-style weightlifting all over Georgia from coaching clinics or certification seminars.  More information can be found in the About Us section.


Q: How is Olympic-style weightlifting different than power lifting or body building?
A: There's a saying that goes, "We snatch, we jerk, but we don't bench!"  Well, to an extent, that is true!  Olympic weightlifters compete in the snatch and clean & jerk.  Power lifting meets can range from dead lift to bench competitions.  An Olympic weightlifter may do some dumbbell work or isolated exercises, such as squats or bench, but the auxiliary exercises are to build on the snatch and clean & jerk.  USA Weightlifting has a great About USAW that can help more describe the rules and regulations of Olympic weightlifting.


Q: Do Olympic weightlifters use supplements/drugs?
A: Supplement and drug should NEVER be used interchangeably!  Unfortunately, there are those who resort to illegal sports performance enhancers, but it is never allowed in competition and is monitored by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.  Supplements, on the other hand, when used correctly, can benefit a weightlifter's general health greatly.  Team Georgia Weightlifting does not support or endorse the use or selling of illegal sports performance enhancing drugs but can direct athletes in the right directions towards supplementation by utilizing a nutrition plan that is specifically designed for each athlete in order to target the lifter's deficiency/overload of foods/vitamins/minerals/etc.


Q: What is the best way for me to learn Olympic weightlifting?
A: The Calendar section provides dates and times for coaching clinics and training seminars and is a great way to being your lifting career.  If you cannot make a seminar or want to give Team Georgia a "test drive," feel free to contact us for more information.