British Weightlifting

Weightlifting, is a sport in which participants attempt a maximum weight single lift of a barbell loaded with weight plates.

The two lifts competed are the clean and jerk and the snatch. Clean and press was another weightlifting technique, discontinued due to difficulties in judging proper form. The compound word "weightlifting" is also often used to refer to weight training.

In comparison with Powerlifting which tests limit strength (with or without lifting aids), olympic weightlifting tests ballistic limits (explosive strength) with smaller weights, such that the lifts must be executed faster and with more mobility, because of a greater range of motion during the lifts. However, parts of the lift, especially in the clean and jerk, do test for absolute strength, as power is not an issue in executing that part of the lift.

Powerlifting is a strength sport consisting of three events: the bench press, the squat, and the deadlift.

Powerlifting resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. It evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same three attempt format but used a wide variety of events akin to Strongman events. Eventually odd lifts became standardized to the three events (squat, bench, deadlift) and became known as powerlifting. Powerlifters can compete raw or equipped.