Overview

American Weightlifting is one of the most comprehensive and practical guides available on Olympic weightlifting, written by legendary coach Glenn Pendlay.

Rather than presenting isolated techniques or fragmented advice, this book lays out a complete system—from learning the lifts to designing long-term training programs for athletes at every level.

Pendlay’s approach is grounded in simplicity and effectiveness. His teaching method focuses on mastering correct positions, developing proper rhythm, and building speed before increasing load. This philosophy runs throughout the book and forms the foundation of his coaching success.

What You’ll Learn

• How to properly perform the snatch, clean, and jerk
• The Three Step Top-Down Method for teaching technique
• How to design programs for beginner, intermediate, and advanced lifters
• How to structure training cycles and progression
• Key principles of competition preparation and performance
• How to adapt training for youth, junior, and master athletes
• How to apply weightlifting to broader athletic development

Why This Book Matters

Glenn Pendlay coached over 100 national champions and helped shape modern American weightlifting. His methods are widely respected for their clarity, practicality, and effectiveness.

This book captures his lifetime of coaching knowledge and presents it in a way that is immediately applicable—whether you are a coach, athlete, or rehabilitation professional working with strength-based performance.

Who This Is For

• Strength and conditioning coaches
• Personal trainers and rehabilitation professionals
• Weightlifting coaches and athletes
• CrossFit and functional training practitioners
• Anyone serious about developing strength, power, and technique