If you’re new to the sport of Olympic weightlifting when you start training the focus will be on technique. You’ll begin by using a light bar to learn the movements for the two Olympic lifts; the snatch, and the clean and jerk. The weights you lift will increase as your skills improve.
Regardless of your experience level you can be guaranteed to develop greater flexibility, coordination and balance as a result of your training. Two additional positive impacts that come along with doing resistance training include increased muscle mass and increased bone density. It is particularly important that we maintain these two physical attributes throughout our lifetime as they are vital to sustaining mobility as we get older. More recently it has been shown that resistance training is also important for our brain function.
Increasing muscle strength can improve brain function: study
Strength training can protect the brain from degeneration in those at risk of Alzheimer's disease
In Olympic weightlifting under the United Masters Weightlifting Federation (UMWF) guidelines you are eligible to compete as a Masters weightlifter from the 1st January of the year in which you turn 30. The age groups are in 5 year increments 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+ and the UMWF body weight categories are as follows:
Women: 50, 55, 60, 66, 73, 81, 87, 87+
Men: 60, 66, 73, 82, 90, 98, 109, 109+
While under the International Masters Weightlifting Association (IMWA) guidelines you are eligible to compete as a Masters weightlifter from the 1st January of the year in which you turn 35 but the age brackets are then the same as above, however, the IMWA body weight categories are as follows:
Women: 45, 49, 55, 59, 64, 71, 76, 81, 87, 87+
Men: 55, 61, 67, 73, 81, 89, 94, 102, 109, 109+
You don't have to lift big weights in competitions. The minimum weight required for women is 21kg and the minimum weight required for men is 26kg. There are plenty of competitions held throughout the year hosted by local Clubs. The opportunity also exists to compete in championships at State, National and International level.
2024 Masters Events
- NSW Masters Championships, Quaycentre Sydney Olympic Park Friday 3 May - Sunday 5 May 2024. To qualify lifters must have achieved a total during the qualifying period 1 October 2023 – 21 April 2024
- AWF Masters Championships, OWF Masters Championships and UMWF World Cup 20-23 June 2024 (dual platform event) Goldcoast. To qualify lifters must have participated in an AWF sanctioned event during the qualifying period 3 November 2023 - 5 May 2024. NSW lifters are also required to compete at the NSW Masters Championships. For further details check out the Regulations and to enter this event go to https://www.awf.com.au/competition/registration
- Pan American Masters Games 12-21 July 2024 Cleveland USA
- IMWA Masters World Championships 5-14 September 2024 Rovaniemi, Finland (Qualifying totals and Preliminary Timetable). And here are the IMWA Rules.
- UMWF Masters World Championships 23-28 September 2024 Suva, Fiji
Future Masters Events
World Masters Games 17-30 May 2025 Taipei City and New Taipei City
UMWF Masters Record Standards
Commonwealth Masters Records
- Commonwealth Masters Women's Records (at 30.06.2023)
- Commonwealth Masters Men's Records (at 30.06.2023)
IWF Masters Records
Whatever your sporting background, level of fitness or health requirements Olympic weightlifting is a sport that is achievable, enjoyable and rewarding.
To get involved complete the Feedback Form on the Contact tab or head to the NSWWA Facebook page.
Other Scientific Studies (Masters)
Grip Strength and Sports Performance in Competitive Master Weightlifters
NSW Masters Lifters
Matt Meddows – NSWWA Masters Representative
2022 IWF Masters World Championships, Orlando Florida USA
Matt Meddows - 2023 NSWWA Best Male Masters Lifter 45-49
2023 AWF Masters World Championships, Sydney NSW
Enif Alvarez Bravo - 2023 NSWWA Best Female Masters Lifter 45-49