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Tom R
01-25-2011, 10:29 AM
Pendlay Olympic Weightlifting DVD Review

“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”
Albert Einstein

Einstein could have been talking about learning the Olympic lifts. Most books or videos that teach Olympic Weightlifting give either too much or not enough information. Giving beginners too much instruction results in paralysis by analysis. It is difficult to do anything when you have to think about doing everything at once. Yet, if there is not enough instruction, the beginner has little idea of how to do the lift.

In his DVD, Glenn Pendlay makes learning the Olympic lifts as simple as possible, but not simpler. He gives the necessary instruction and cues to learn how to do the lifts. The most important and difficult aspect of Olympic lifting is creating the desired bar path by proper body positioning. This DVD uses simple progressions to help beginners feel how to move during a lift. Jon North does an excellent job demonstrating each skill throughout the video. Pendlay is careful to provide only the information that is needed for correct performance. The drills are easy to learn and use in your training. In a short time, you will be able to sense and correct some your own mistakes.

The DVD was filmed during one of Pendlay’s OL seminars. This has several advantages. One is seeing how Glen corrects typical beginner mistakes. Another is watching the interaction between Pendlay and his students. It is fun to watch and inspiring to see a diverse group of people become proficient at the snatch, clean and jerk.

The production is much better than the typical instructional video. The editing is first rate with great camera angles that make it easy to see and learn each progression. The audio is clear and you can hear every word in the video. There are short written summaries throughout the film to help viewers remember key points. The DVD, however, does not cover minute details of weightlifting (hook grips, straps, or assistance exercises) nor does it present training programs. Its primary purpose is teaching how to do the lifts correctly.

In a perfect world you would have Glenn as your personal coach. If you’re lucky he may do a seminar in your area. If not, buying his DVD is the next best thing.


Any ideas of good sites to post this on?

bull.dogz
01-25-2011, 10:59 AM
Bodybuilding.com, bodybuilding.net are some good places. There's an Olympic Lifting section at bb.com that you could post it in.

10xSnatchSquatter
01-25-2011, 12:22 PM
Bodybuilding.com, bodybuilding.net are some good places. There's an Olympic Lifting section at bb.com that you could post it in.

This, its the most populated olympic lifting forum that I've seen. But if any get more traffic and anyone knows of them they should post in here

Justice
01-25-2011, 12:29 PM
you could post on
http://weightliftingexchange.com/smf/index.php

or:

http://fortified-iron.com/board/forumdisplay.php?14-Olympic-Lifting
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NickHorton
01-28-2011, 10:30 AM
You're right about the DVD, it's amazing. In fact, I'd argue that it's so good, most people won't be able to notice how good it is.

I used to HATE the "jump and catch" method. The way it was taught to me, the way it's taught in high schools and colleges, is haphazard and non-systematic. It usually consists of holding a bar (or dumbbells) in your hands, literally jumping for a while, then being told to catch it, and somehow progressing to the floor. The process was basically: jump around, and then we'll do some error correction.

In fact, if you've read my little e-book, you'll remember that I complained about it in there.

But, after seeing Glenn's Cal-Strength vids, and after having watched the new DVD, I feel like I'm a Jump and Catch born-again!

IMHO, His version of this method is truly profound. It is systematic, progressive, and gets you doing the right things immediately.

It's a true indication of how great a coach he is to be able to transform something so complex and haphazard into a simple teachable method that seems (dare I say it) OBVIOUS.

I have a math degree. One of the ways we describe math is like this. You spend years roaming around in a dark room, feeling your way, trying to make sense of it all. And just when you think you have it, you accidentally turn on the light switch, and viola! It all makes perfect sense. What seemed so hard, is now obvious.

This is what Glenn has done with his method. And what is almost sad, is that most people won't know just how important a change this is. Now, there is no excuse. If you are a highschool or college coach, and you need a "quick and dirty" method for teaching your athletes how to do the olympic lifts, here it is.

I've switched over completely to using Glenn's method for teaching new people, and it is amazing how quickly people can pick up the basics. Of course, oly lifting is complex and there is much to do after that. But, he now has enabled ANYONE to get off on the right foot.


I'll be writing up my own formal review for my blog in the next few weeks, but I wanted to encourage you to keep promoting the DVD. It deserves to be widely watched.