Performance Training Institute

This morning marked the start of my journey into the world of competitive Masters Weightlifting. Within 5 minutes of walking into the weightlifting club, I have been given my new nickname: ‘Lozman’.
 
​WTH? Well apparently I am the male version of fellow lifter Loz, with my Pilates-style flexibility and technically correct snatch style. What’s so bad about that? It looks like I’m moving in slow motion, I’m told. Winning the ‘prettiest snatch’ award isn’t quite what I had in mind.
 
By genetics I’m somewhat like a Kenyan runner from the Kalenjin tribe, so my quest, about which I’ll be blogging over the coming months, is going to be interesting. A handy VO2max and haematocrit are going to be about as useful as an inflatable dartboard, I’m told. Yes, yes….
 
Over 10 years ago at the Welsh Institute of Sport I was taught how to snatch and clean & jerk by Commonwealth Games lifter Neil Taylor. Since then I have been fortunate to have several other excellent coaches.
 
This is serious now though. During 8 sets of 2 reps on the snatch, we worked on getting a little more extension into my pull and then not only dropping under the bar, but actively pulling myself underneath it.
 
Then it was the split jerk, where I’d been ‘reading too many books’ and making my toes point in a little like a pigeon, Let’s have a look at this picture on the wall; world record holders have their feet straight. Point taken. Back to work.
 
Stay tuned for regular updates on my progress towards the AWF Australian Masters Championship in 2015. I will be entering several state and club competitions along the way in this wonderful, challenging sport where even the top lifters are constantly refining their technique and training methods to eke out an extra kg or two.
 
Phil Roberts is an instructor on our Advanced Strength Training Courses. He is a former professional golfer and is the Acting Head Teacher in the Sport & Fitness Department at Nepean TAFE. Phil has been a strength & conditioning coach and personal trainer for over 15 years and has written programs in over 20 different sports.