Editing Olympic weightlifting (section)

== Equipment ==
=== Barbell ===
[[File:Gewichtheben Hantelstange Detail.jpg|thumb|Knurling on an Olympic barbell]]
Olympic weightlifting uses a steel bar (also known as a [[barbell]]) with larger-diameter rotating sleeves on either end, holding rubber-coated [[weight plate]]s of different weights. This sleeve rotation is important for the Olympic lifts, particularly the snatch and clean movements, because it drastically reduces the rotational inertia of the bar. Without sleeve rotation, the Olympic lifter faces more challenging lifts and a greater risk of injury.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title = Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches|last = Everett|first = Greg|publisher = Catalyst Athletics|year = 2009|isbn = 978-0980011111|pages = 20, 21, 22, 26, 27}}</ref>

A men's Olympic barbell weighs 20&nbsp;kg (44&nbsp;lbs) with a shaft diameter of 28&nbsp;mm and a length of 2200&nbsp;mm, whereas a women's Olympic barbell weighs 15&nbsp;kg (33&nbsp;lbs) and has a shaft diameter of 25&nbsp;mm with a length of 2010&nbsp;mm.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Jolie|title=Official Specifications for Olympic Weightlifting Bar|url=http://www.livestrong.com/article/357098-official-specifications-for-olympic-weightlifting-bar/|access-date=22 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Morrison|first1=Norm|title=Olympic Lifting for Beginners|url=http://www.gymsource.com/blog/olympic-lifting-for-beginners/|access-date=22 October 2014}}</ref> The distance between the sleeves, however, is the same for the men's and the women's bars at 1310&nbsp;mm. The grip texture of the bar is called the [[knurling]], and is distributed differently between the men's and women's bars: the men's has knurling in the center but the women's does not. The Olympic barbells used in competition are certified by the IWF.<ref name=":0" />

=== Bumper plates ===
The weight plates, typically referred to as "[[Barbell#Bumper plates|bumper plates]]" because of their rubber coated design, weigh between 10&nbsp;kg and 25&nbsp;kg in 5&nbsp;kg increments. The bumper plates are coated with rubber to allow the weights to be dropped from various heights—either after a successful lift or during an unsuccessful one. Olympic bumper plates conform to international standards for coloring. That is, 10&nbsp;kg is green, 15&nbsp;kg is yellow, 20&nbsp;kg is blue, and 25&nbsp;kg is red.<ref name=":0" />

=== Competition iron plates ===
In addition to the rubber bumpers, smaller competition iron plates can be used to add weight in small increments to the bar. The color designations for these iron plates are as follows: 1&nbsp;kg is green, 1.5&nbsp;kg is yellow, 2&nbsp;kg is blue, 2.5&nbsp;kg is red, 5&nbsp;kg and 0.5&nbsp;kg are white. It is useful to note the color assignment of these iron plates is consistent with the heavier bumper plates (i.e. 1&nbsp;kg and 10&nbsp;kg are green, 1.5&nbsp;kg and 15&nbsp;kg are yellow, etc.).<ref name=":0" />

=== Collars ===
[[File:Korea London Jang Miran 03 (7771959092).jpg|thumb|An Olympic lifter, [[Jang Mi-ran]], holding a barbell loaded with red 25 kg bumper plates, held in place with a collar. Note the lifter's taped wrists and thumbs, her weightlifting shoes, and her weightlifting belt.]]
Weight plates are secured to the bar using [[Barbell#Collars|collars]] on each side that weigh exactly 2.5&nbsp;kg each.

=== Singlet ===
Lifters typically wear a one-piece close-fitting leotard often called a [[Wrestling singlet|singlet]]. The wearing of a T-shirt underneath the singlet is optional.

=== Belt ===
A weightlifting belt of 120&nbsp;mm maximum width may also be worn to increase intra-abdominal pressure.

=== Chalk ===
Chalk is regularly used by Olympic lifters, generally prior to each attempt at a lift. Lifters rub their hands with the chalk to promote dryness and prevent the bar moving in their hands.

=== Tape ===
Olympic lifters frequently use tape to cover the areas of their bodies exposed to friction while completing Olympic lifts. Tape is most commonly found on the Olympic lifter's thumb. A taped thumb not only lessens the risk of calluses, but it also reduces the pain associated with the [[hook grip]].

Olympic lifters also tape their wrists, preventing exaggerated and uncomfortable joint movement during lifts. For particularly heavy overhead lifts, a taped wrist enables the lifter to regulate wrist extension and delimit the [[Degrees of freedom (mechanics)#Six degrees of freedom|translation]] of the [[Radius (bone)|radius]] and [[ulna]] [[Anatomical terms of location#Proximal and distal|distal]] heads. However, while taped wrists can prevent wrist and forearm injuries in the short-term, excessive use can lead to weakened [[connective tissue]] in the area, increasing the risk of pain and injury.<ref name=":0" />

=== Shoes ===
The type of shoes worn by Olympic weightlifters is perhaps their most distinctive piece of equipment. Weightlifting shoes are typically designed with a raised heel of 0.5" to 1.5" and one or two metatarsal straps that tighten across the instep of the shoe.  The raised heel helps the lifter maintain an upright torso while catching the bar and also allows for a deeper squat under the bar. The soles of the shoes are also quite rigid, helping to resist compression while under heavy loads. The shoes are designed for maximum stability while remaining flexible in the [[toe box]]. This allows the lifter to come up on the toes and to catch the weight on the ball of the back foot during the "jerk" movement of the lift.<ref name=":0" />

There are also different heel constructions. Most modern Weightlifting shoes use a hard TPU plastic heel that does not deform and is more durable than other materials. However, there has been a resurgence in premium shoes using retro wood heels which are hard but do not last as long.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-14 |title=Best Olympic Weightlifting Shoes (2023 Edition) - Lift Big Eat Big |url=https://liftbigeatbig.com/best-shoes-for-olympic-weightlifting/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''Knee sleeves'''

Some weightlifters may use knee sleeves to provide joint support and assist in standing from the deep squatting position. 

'''Wrist wraps'''

Wrist wraps are commonly used to provide support to the joint.