How these two feats of athleticism reflect life.

The Goal

The goal in Olympic weightlifting is to grab the heaviest thing you can hold and pull yourself under it.

the goal in gymnastics is to grab the highest thing you can reach and pull yourself up to it.

Improvement

If you were to decide to improve your Olympic weightlifting, you might think “I have to get stronger.”

That makes sense. Performing a clean & jerk or snatch looks like it requires superhuman strength.

However, to improve your Olympic weightlifting, you should work on technique.

If you were to decide to improve your gymnastic movements, you might think “I have to learn the technique.”

That makes sense. Performing rig work looks like it requires precise timing and flawless form.

However, to improve your gymnastic movements, you should work on building strength.

Deviation

In Olympic lifting, the bar path must be straight. You lift straight up, drop straight down, and the bar becomes weightless. The less deviation, the more weight you can lift.

In gymnastics movements, you must circumvent the bar. You go out, swing around, and you become weightless. The more deviation, the more you can swing.

Life

What’s the heaviest burden you put yourself under without failing?

What’s the highest good you can reach and pull yourself up to?