THE BLOG

Olympic Weightlifting Snatch: How Max Aita Coaches It From First Pull to Lockout

What actually breaks down in the snatch — and how to fix it, phase by phase.

Max Aita has watched thousands of snatches. Here's exactly what he's looking for at every phase — the cues, the errors, and the fixes.

Powerlifting vs Olympic Weightlifting — A National Champion Coach Settles the Debate

A Direct Answer, Not a Hedge

Max Aita has coached athletes in both sports. Here's his direct, no-hedge take on which one is actually right for you.

Programming for Weightlifting: The System Max Aita Uses With Every Athlete

Max Aita breaks down the four variables that control every weightlifting program — volume, intensity, frequency, and technical load — and the three mistakes that keep athletes stuck.

Soviet Weightlifting: What Modern Coaches Actually Kept, and What We Left Behind

Max Aita breaks down the Soviet weightlifting system — what actually made it work, which principles he still programs today, and what doesn't translate to the modern athlete.

The Complete Beginner's Olympic Weightlifting Program: Week-by-Week, Coach-Designed

Max Aita's beginner Olympic weightlifting program — week-by-week, built for athletes starting from scratch. Snatch, clean & jerk, and the progression system to take you further.

Max Aita's Olympic Weightlifting Program: The System That Built National Champions

Max Aita's olympic weightlifting program — built on the same system that produced national champions. Adaptive programming, real coaching, serious results.

3 Questions Weightlifting Coaches Need to Ask Each Workout

Weightlifting is not simple, but it is straightforward.

Maximizing your athlete’s results requires good coaching. Walk the floor, watch the training session intently, and make decisions that drive or support the desired training responses. Good coaching is being active within a session, deciding what needs to happen and when. Although athletes are the only ones privy to their internal sensations (e.g., soreness, perceived fatigue, energy levels), coaches can tease out quite a bit of information.

Unlock Perfect Technique: The Vardanian Snatch

The Vardanian snatch — a variation of the snatch that removes hook grip, bar-body contact, and foot movement — checks all the boxes for efficiency and effective use of training time. That’s exactly why you should include it in your next workout.