It's a physical and mental sport.
MARQUETTE -- It's a sport with no off season. Eight to eleven training sessions per week consume the time of a USOEC weightlifter. The morning sessions vary slightly from the evening workouts, but both require extensive physical activity.
"In the morning training, we'll focus on strength exercises, leg strengthening exercises--leg squats, back squats, front squats--so usually some type of pressing or pulling movement. Then in the evening, we'll focus on the more technical lifts or the competition lifts," explained head coach Andy Tysz.
While the weights may be heavy, this isn't the only part of the sport. Lifters need the right mindset to take themselves to the next level.
"So it's hard to push yourself to realize that you can do it even though it's more than you've ever touched in your life. You just have to convince yourself to do it," described lifter Robin Feuerman.
And with a sport that has no breaks, it can be hard to find the balance between school and lifting.
"There's a lot of nights when you can't go out and do things with your friends because you have to stay in because you have to do your homework and be in bed because you have training the next morning," said lifter Sara Cowles.
But the sacrifices prove to be worthwhile for these aspiring Olympians who have their hearts set on competing in 2012.
"I really just love being in the gym with these people. They're hilarious. I can't see myself doing anything else," Cowles stated.
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