Topic: womens' weight classes

[Brooke Nepo]

I was wondering why is there a 75 Kg class and then a 75kg + class? Why don't they have a 85kg or 90kg class like the men? I figured all of you have much more experience or have thought of this yourselves. I'm a 5'4" 190lbs. (86kg) 19 yr.old, Div.1 female weight/hammer thrower. I've done alot of the assistant exercises (hang cleans, hang snatches, push jerks, fsq, bsq,etc.) but haven't trained for the actual snatch and C&J. I want to try olympic lifting once my throwing career is over and try to go to nat'ls one day (in the very distant future).  To weigh 86 kilos in the 75kg+ class is really light and doesn't stack up w/ the lifters who win it. I think for me to weigh 75 kilos I'd lose muscle, but i may be wrong for all I know. any thoughts? my max lifts: hang clean:145 lbs., bsq:close to 300 lbs., fsq:195 lbs., push jerk: 130 lbs. about 7 months ago. I've only done light hang snatches (95 lbs.) Compared to the OL'ers these # aren't really that good but then again I'm a thrower and still young. I'd like to be able to bsq. 380 lbs. hang clean 190 lbs. and fsq 240 lbs. in 3 years. Let me know if all of this sounds reasonable or not. Thanks for your suggestions in advance!

[Walter Bailey]

I think it has to do with the introduction of women's weightlifting into the Olympics.  Before, there was an 80something class, before the unlimited.  But when woman's weightlifting was introduced into the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee didn't want more than a certain number of weightlifters at the Olympics.  So, they reduced the number of categories for both the Women AND THE MEN.  I hope I got my facts right

Walter

[Shaun Le Conte]

I second what Walter Bailey said

Most lifters will agree, 75 kg is fairly light, as is the men's max limited weight class of 105 kg. But the weight class limits also recognize the diminished need for muscular upper body mass in today's lifters versus those in the past, due to technical changes

You can start with the olympic lifts now - a low volume will complement your throwing and will give you time to learn. Your strength levels are decent in the hang lifts and front squat and great in the back squat. Your goals definitely seem attainable with hard work

A lot of us have to deal with weight classes not exactly to our liking. I've seen 5'4" women successful across a broad range of weight classes from 48-75+, but predominantly in the light to middle weights.