Putting Things Overhead

When I was a kid, I thought I knew what weightlifting was.  For me it just meant anything you did to make your muscles bigger so chicks would look at you more.  I was clear that girls staring at your body was a good thing...as long as it wasn't in abject horror like they did to Ernie, the really fat kid.

Today when I hear "weightlifting" I think Olympic Weightlifting.  There is still some causation and correlation in getting girls to check you out, but that's not the big payoff.  The big payoff is the incredible satisfaction from putting something heavy over your head.

I can't really put my finger on it, but there is something about going overhead that makes me feel powerful in a way that no other movement makes me feel.  Pulling triples at 425 on a deadlift is cool.  Benching 265 for 3 is also cool.  But I don't beam with self congratulation after either of those things.  When I put something overhead and hold it there for just a bit, THAT is a special moment.

Today we were doing squat cleans straight into thrusters.  Not the best way to move maximal weight, but a fun thing nonetheless.  Finished at 205 at a bodyweight of 204.  That's just cool.  I can take something on the ground that weighs more than I do, pick it up high enough to drop under it until it lands on my shoulders in a full front squat, then stand it up fast enough to press and lock it out overhead.

When I started CrossFit I had a measly 252 deadlift.  I decided a while ago that I wanted to take that same weight (actually, 3 pounds more) and put it overhead.  That seemed like a hallmark of sorts.  If I've gone from being able to pick it up to being able to toss it overhead, that's progress, right?

So since making that goal my clean has progressed from 235 to 255 so I have part of the movement down.  My push press has progressed from 215 to 235.  I still have a ways to go on that, but proficiency at the jerk rather than a push press will get me the extra 20 pounds.  Sometime this year, I'll load a barbell with 255 pounds and put it overhead.  And the grin I'll have afterward won't ever be achieved by someone slaving away on an elliptical machine or hitting the pec deck with all their might.

If you want the satisfaction of actually lifting weights, pick them up and put them overhead.  I think it's the best test of strength there is. And what's cooler than throwing big weights up over your head?  Not much I can think of.