USA Weightlifting: Empowering Coaches Since 1985
USA Weightlifting’s coach education courses have been the gold standard for training coaches in weightlifting and strength training for over 35 years.
We’ve proudly served thousands of sport coaches, trainers, and military personnel in teaching them how to optimize lifting technique, reduce injury potential, and implement proven training systems.
Benefits of Weightlifting
The sport of weightlifting is an excellent tool to improve all aspects of physical health including physique, dynamic stability, sport performance, and protection against injury. Weightlifting is also proven to be effective at managing depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety, while improving confidence, increasing bone density, and creating a sense of empowerment. The skills, techniques, and strength gained through training can transform your health, fitness, and outlook on life.
USAW Coaching Courses
As the national governing body for the sport of weightlifting, USA Weightlifting (USAW) is the most trusted resource for weightlifting knowledge and education.
Our USA Weightlifting Level 1 and Level 2 Coach Certification courses are the perfect blend of hands-on learning, proven teaching progressions, and science-based programming to support athletes across all ages and ability levels. Our Level 2 course is nationally accredited, a rare distinction earned in the strength and conditioning space.
Our courses were thoughtfully created by an interdisciplinary group of top USAW coaches, experienced educators, university professors, and champion weightlifters. Invest in your career and in your athletes by signing up for one of our courses and learning from the experts in weightlifting.
Already certified? Sign up to host a course at your facility and earn valuable course rebates.
Level 1 Coaching Course
- Learn how to perform and teach major strength exercises using proven USAW Teaching Progressions
- Train beginner athletes and access exclusive USAW programming templates\
- Effectively communicate with athletes to correct technique
Level 1 Testimonials
"I feel significantly more confident in how to teach the snatch and clean and jerk progressions as well as how to assess and correct errors in the right order." Andrew G.
"I was able to really pinpoint my weaknesses as an athlete which helps me improve my ability to correct that in others." - Samantha B.
“I really appreciated having the lifts broken down and how to fix them at each step, along with the programming guides.” Haley A.
“My biggest takeaway was the improvement in communicating the lifts to a beginner. I've been weightlifting for a while, but never had to organize my thoughts to teach someone completely new so I found the course very helpful.” - Ryan A.
Level 2 Coaching Course
- Dive deep into biomechanics of technique
- Elevate your in-competition coaching skills
- Create programming for advanced athletes in any sport
- Explore the science of training and learn the art of communicating
Level 2 Testimonials
“I loved learning about program design and building programs during the course. I have much more confidence in my ability to coach and train athletes. Most importantly, I felt safe asking for help from the instructors if I didn’t know something.” Connor T.
“The course really improved my ability to analyze a lift in real time, understand why errors occur, and prioritize which errors to address.” - Robert M.
“I realized that I play a much larger role than I realize in the lives of people I coach. My appreciation has grown for the number of non-programming related elements I manage.” -Brad N.
“I learned a ton about periodization and competition strategy. My most profound takeaway was increased confidence in myself as coach, and a renewed sense of possibility and ability.” -Abby. H.
Our Instructor Team
Our education team is unmatched in the field in their accomplishments as coaches, teachers, scientists, athletes, and educators. What they all have in common is a passion for spreading the joy of weightlifting and educating the next generation of coaches. The USAW network of instructors serves as an invaluable resource for our course participants long after the live courses have finished. To support our course hosts, we have expert instructors spread across the USA and throughout the world.
Nondiscrimination Policy
USA Weightlifting does not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations including coach education.