Olympic lifting evening course raises the fitness bar for women in Forth Valley

Olympic lifting evening course raises the fitness bar for women in Forth Valley
Wai's new course

An Olympic style strength and conditioning weightlifting evening course for women only, is set to raise the fitness bar across Forth Valley.

The six week course will be run every Tuesday night (6-8pm) at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus, beginning on Tuesday 22 January and will provide a practical introduction on how to lift free weights safely and correctly – with a focus on how to execute the clean and jerk lift. 

The techniques are proving to be a popular way for employees to keep fit and trim and FVC’s Leisure Facilities Coordinator Wai Mun Lee is convinced the activity could prove to be a viable alternative to members of the public who find the traditional methods of exercising like running, cycling, rowing or the use of fixed weights, boring.

It is understood that introducing free weights to a fitness regime will allow participants to develop core strength, power, flexibility and coordination and if executed properly, the activity is a great way to tone muscles and make the body leaner - improving overall fitness, which may also support the prevention of osteoporosis.

Two people who have benefitted from the lifting fitness programme are Carol Crawford (pictured left) a former Student Exams Coordinator at FVC and Denise Browning (pictured right) currently working as a Fee Administrator in Student Records at the college.

Wai, said: “Olympic lifting is a complex exercise which puts some people off, but with the right coaching and supervision anyone can do it.  Denise and Carol have accomplished both Olympic lifts - clean and jerk and the snatch - competently and successfully. These lifts help to develop co-ordination, power, strength and overall fitness, including cardio fitness and are very good for you.”

Denise, said: “We have been really enjoying Wai coaching us on the different Olympic lifts and we feel a real sense of achievement every time we achieve a new lift.”

Carol, said: “We have both been taking part in circuit classes and lifting weights at the gym but Olympic lifting was a new experience as it’s both a mental and physical challenge. We both feel healthier and stronger and would recommend Olympic lifting to anyone. If we can do it anyone can!”

The course will cover the following exercises:

• Back Squat
• Front Squat
• Deadlift
• Clean Pull
• High Pull
• Push Press
• Split Jerk
• Clean
• Combination lifts targeting CV fitness

Only eight places are available on the course, which costs £60 and will run until Tuesday 5 March. To book visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/sport/strength-conditioning-for-women or call 01324 403000.

Please note there will be no class held on Tuesday 12 February 2019.