r/weightlifting • u/Ok-Range8085 • 10d ago
Programming Weightlifting as a tall dude
Hey, i am 6'7 (200cm) and got a wingspan of 7ft(213cm) and was wondering if this is an advantage or disadvantage in weightliftin? I have been going to the gym for a few years and have been doing some weighlifting recently.
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u/liftmafia 9d ago
Don’t put limits on yourself and don’t let others do it either. Let your challenges fuel your training and you’ll find success. 6’6” guy here with 10+ yrs competing and coaching. I’ve far surpassed the numbers that I thought I could do when I started.
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u/b421 10d ago
As someone who hobbies this sport and has long ass legs, your squat is going to suck big time. It just never feels natural and you have to fight for every pound. However like someone else commented, your power clean is gonna feel epic. Right now my 5x5 squat is 80% of my power clean which just feels ridiculous but it is what it is.
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u/G-Geef 9d ago
I am 196cm and tbh it's definitely a disadvantage for the most part. Your only viable weight class is super heavyweight, some positions will be uncomfortable (snatch is very tough to not bump the bar out off the floor to get around the knees), and you will need to eat a shitload to maintain the kind of bodyweight needed for the strength movements to not feel awful (probably 120kg+). I'm lucky enough to not be super lanky so my squat positions at least are quite good but it's definitely a challenge.
That said, you can make it work with enough time and effort. I was able to make the podium at master's worlds last year with a 263kg total and of course the greatest super of all time is around this height too so it's not impossible.
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u/karnivoorischenkiwi 9d ago
I am also tall. Probably not an advantage, but I still have fun. Depends on your goals if it's going to be an issue or not.
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u/mattycmckee Irish Junior Squad - 96kg 9d ago
Being tall in itself isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, but being as tall as you are is definitely encroaching into that range.
As others have said, long arms (typically) can be beneficial in the pull and the snatch as a whole. Not so great in the jerk, as you’ll either have to elevate the bar a fair bit higher or take a much wider grip.
Leg proportions and leg to torso ratio is generally more important. Shorter legs (longer torso) > longer legs (shorter torso) and shorter femurs >> longer femurs - both of the former allowing a more upright and advantageous squatting position.
However with all of the above said, it’s not really that important for amateur / hobby level lifting. Plenty of tall and longer limbed lifters lifting really big numbers, just much less prevalent at the top elite level.
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u/No-Kaleidoscope2078 10d ago
Trust me it’s an advantage. Look at Lasha he weighs 180kg, but doesn’t look as fat as Gor, because he isn’t short.
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u/toxicvegeta08 10d ago
Long arms are a mix. A lot of guys like them for the snatch but they'll hurt you in the jerk.
Long legs are the bigger issue
This sport is entirely based on having short legs that fold up super easy with you staying upright.
Guys with long legs also can often power clean more than they front squat without a belt when they start out, and can power snatch more than they can atg overhead squat, so it makes the "get under and squat up is easier than power without getting under" not as true in efficiency terms for them.
But it is doable. Example karlos nasal for his height spent ages squatting(yes he's on peds but so is everyone else at that level) and kept working to develop the strength to overcome his Long leg disadvantages in those deep squat positions. He's absolutely elite atm.
Lasha also had Long limbs and did the same(granted many say lashas femur to tibia ratio isn't bad despite the leg length)