If a weightlifter jerks a barbell, is it best to have the weight close to the body or out at arm’s length?

econ asked:


why???

Marylou
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4 Responses to If a weightlifter jerks a barbell, is it best to have the weight close to the body or out at arm’s length?

  1. Lara says:

    Hallie

    Close to the body. Think of lever action – the longer the lever the more effect the weight on the payload end has on the pivot. In this case the pivot is the shoulder and the levers are the arms. Look up “moments” for more information

  2. Robyn says:

    Sydney

    Close,haven’t you ever seen anybody lift weights before?lol

  3. Lupe says:

    Mark

    Close…for the reason cited above plus this…

    The weight lifter wants to transfer as much of her momentum p = mv as she can into the barbell. To do this, she needs to get her body of mass M under the barbell of mass m as it is jerked. This is one reason we see the lifter step into the barbell as it is jerked (the other is the stability needed to hold it aloft after a clean jerk).

  4. Brooks says:

    Daryl

    close to the body