Published by Catalyst Athletics LLC in November of 2014, Olympic Weightlifting for Masters: Training at 30, 40, 50 & Beyond by Matt Foreman is a comprehensive guide to weightlifting for athletes over the age of 30. Masters Weightlifting is the Olympic sport of weightlifting for persons 35 years old or older. For more information on masters weightlifting, including rules, age and weight divisions, records, and more, check out https://usamastersweightlifting.com/.
Olympic Weightlifting for Masters covers a wide range of topics, including:
The unique challenges of weightlifting for masters athletes
How to assess your physical condition and injury history
How to find a coach or training partner
How to program your training
How to manage pain and prevent injuries
How to stay motivated and achieve your goals
Foreman is a 25-year weightlifting veteran and has competed at the national and international levels. He is also the owner of Foreman Performance, a weightlifting and strength training gym in Colorado. In Olympic Weightlifting for Masters, Foreman draws on his own experience and expertise to provide practical advice and guidance to masters athletes.
The book is well-organized and easy to read. The chapters are short and concise, and the information is presented in a clear and concise manner. Foreman uses a conversational style that makes the book engaging and easy to follow.
The book is packed with useful information. Foreman covers a wide range of topics, and he provides detailed advice on everything from programming your training to managing pain and preventing injuries. The book includes several training programs that have been used successfully by masters athletes, and Foreman interviews quite a few masters athletes in the book. Their perspectives on masters weightlifting were probably my favorite parts. He also includes a few articles that he wrote previously for the Catalyst Athletics website. All of Foreman's Catalyst Athletics articles, dating from 2008 to 2020, can be found here: https://www.catalystathletics.com/articles/author/4/Matt-Foreman/
At only 192 pages, Olympic Weightlifting for Masters is a fairly quick read. Some of the introductory chapters feel a bit like fluff, especially if you are already a masters weightlifter, but they are necessary to get into the meat of what Foreman has to say on the topic. And people new to the sport will find the information very helpful. The previously published articles he includes may also feel like he is trying to pad out the slim volume, but I can appreciate his not wanting to rewrite what has already been written.
Overall, Olympic Weightlifting for Masters is an excellent resource for masters athletes who are looking to improve their weightlifting performance. The book is well-written, informative, and practical. If you are currently a masters weightlifter, soon to be a masters weightlifter, or just interested in learning more about weightlifting for masters athletes, I highly recommend this book.
Books are too long to read. Here's my short story. If you aren't injured yet, add more volume. If you develop tendonitis, back off a hair on volume. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.