Weightlifting is an individual sport in which competitors attempt to lift heavy weights mounted on steel bars. Weightlifting can be practiced competitively or for training purposes.

Competitive weightlifting is a sport where competitors lift weights mounted onto metal barbells and perform two lifts: the snatch, and the clean and jerk. Weightlifting has been a regular Olympic sport since 1932.

The goal of competitive weightlifting is to lift more weight than your opponent in two events: the snatch and the clean and jerk. Non-competitive weightlifting is a way to improve health, and overall strength and definition.

There are three judges who oversee successful completion of each lift. If a judge deems a lift to be successful, that judge shines a white light; if a lift is deemed unsuccessful, a red light is shown. The bar must be lifted to at least knee level within 60 seconds of the bar being loaded or the lift does not count. If the competitor is making two consecutive lifts, they are permitted 120 seconds for the second lift.

Weightlifting has existed since the beginning of recorded history; a 5,000-year-old Chinese text tells of potential soldiers having to pass lifting tests. The Greeks have sculptures that depict men in the act of lifting heavy stones. In 1896, competitive weightlifting was included in the first modern Olympic Games. Since 1932 it has become a regular Olympic event.

Barbell
Weights

To lower the risk of injury, lifters should not train more than four times a week, follow proper lifting form, and not attempt to lift more weight than they can physically do.

Competitors practice a number of different exercises in preparation for a competition. Each exercise is aimed at preparing competitors for some aspect of the two lifts. Each lift is broken down into parts so that each part may be perfected in order to improve the overall lift. Olympic weightlifters will train every day for a few hours, although under normal circumstances, lifters should not train more than four times a week.

Clean and Jerk - type of lift where competitors first "clean" the barbell from the floor to an intermediate position, "racking" the bar in a front squat, then standing up in the concentric portion of the front squat, and finally "jerking" the barbell to a position above their head

Snatch - type of lift where competitors must lift the barbell over their heads from the floor in one continuous movement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weightlifting