Olympic weightlifting is a sport. Performing Olympic lifts during strength training is not mandatory to improve athletic performance in other sports. In fact, many experts question the use of Olympic lifts for athletes who are not weightlifters. Here’s what the experts say.

Here’s what strength and conditioning coach Steve Maxwell has to say on this controversial subject:

Peer-reviewed research does not support the view that explosive exercises, such as Olympic-style weightlifting, are more effective than strength-based, slow, and heavy weight training for enhancing muscle power and athletic performance. In fact, there’s evidence suggesting that Olympic lifts may be less effective, have poor transfer to sports performance, and carry a significant risk of injury (Behncke, 2001; Bruce-Low & Smith, 2007).

According to Bruce-Low & Smith:

Such exercises should not be recommended in the strength and conditioning training of athletes, except those who need to learn the specific skill of lifting heavy weights fast, such as Olympic lifters and strongmen.

That said, there’s no denying that Olympic lifts have contributed to great success in athletic development — especially when used correctly. Al Vermeil’s training pyramid, found on page 82 of The Elite Trainer, is one example of how these lifts can be effectively integrated into a program.

However, proper equipment and quality instruction from a skilled coach are absolutely essential. If you plan to include Olympic lifts in your training, start with a reputable organization like USA Weightlifting (USAW).