So... motivated by the great spirit and action from our first weightlifting meet, I have set my target on the weightlifting meet in April. My own training has pretty much gone down the drain for the last 10 months, partially due to back issues, but mostly due to moving, getting a second child, getting a new job and the demands of Virtualmeet.net. It's time to seriously get back into the mix and learning something new seems like a good way of doing so. I also hope the overall lighter loads on the weightlifts will be a good way of getting my back re-adjusted and strengthened for the powerlifts. I am a chronic back case, but I've learned to live and train around decently.

I haven't snatched or cleaned and jerked, so I'm pretty green (did overhead squats once though, so I realize the challenge involved here...). I have decent body control though after years of martial arts, decent flexibility and have no problems squatting ass to the grass; so I think I stand a decent shot of picking up a basic technique. I have a few years of Milo and several translated Russian weightlifting texts so I have some sources of information on the technicalities of the lifts, but I would also appreciate any web site or book/DVD suggestions anyone may have. I know that getting a coach would be the best route to go, but with my current schedule (I usually train 23pm to midnight) it's a no go. I plan to upload video clips here if anyone is willing to give me feedback though.

Also, I would like to do work on my bench press max with the aim of doing the military bench meet in February 2009. Skipping most dedicated squat / deadlift work while focusing on the weightlifts is probably a good idea. My lifts are about 25kg down anyway, so I am not too concerned with those at the moment. 

So my question is: does anyone have any suggestions for how a weightlifting newbie such as myself should start out? I was thinking about learning the Hang power snatch and Hang power clean first, then gradually starting light work on the main lifts. But really, I have no idea. HEEELP! 

This link was posted on another website, but I think it has a lot of good information Click Here !!

Hopefully that link helps a little as far as maybe where to start and what exercises to begin.

The only thing I thought that was missing was OH Squats.  If you ask me that is one hard movement to master, probably just me though.  So I think the OH Squat should be done at every session.

Here is Another Good Site that has videos of most of the lifts.

Thanks Matt, extremely helpful links. The 6-week beginner program looks like it may be a good place to start. It's twice a week which will be a good way to get back into regular training without overdoing it. The video link was great too as the lifts are not only shown but also explained.

About the OH squat: it's not just you.

About the OH squat: it's not just you.

For me it must be a flexibility issue or something.  When I get down in the hole I lose the weight forward and I want to bend at the elbows, even with an empty bar

This newsletter from Dan John's website should help: real simple oly program for beginners.

http://danjohn.org/best.pdf