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USAW Level 1 Certification Course

Become a Certified Weightlifting Coach with USA Weightlifting’s Level 1 Certification

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    Become a Certified Weightlifting Coach with USA Weightlifting’s Level 1 Certification

    If you’re serious about coaching weightlifting the right way—safe, effective, and backed by the best—there's only one place to start: USA Weightlifting’s Level 1 Coach Certification.

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Why Choose USAW? #

USA Weightlifting is the national governing body for the sport of weightlifting in the United States. For over 40 years, the USAW Level 1 Coach Certification is recognized as the gold standard in weightlifting education. Whether you’re just starting or looking to sharpen your skills, this certification gives you the tools to train athletes of all ages and abilities with confidence.

When you choose USA Weightlifting, you are learning from the very best in the business, ensuring your coaching career starts with a strong foundation.


What You'll Gain#

By earning the USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach Certification, you’ll walk away with more than just a certificate—this course equips you with the tools, knowledge, and experience to become a safe and highly effective coach. Here’s what you’ll gain:

  • Expert Coaching Techniques

    Learn from some of the best in the business. USA Weightlifting instructors are world-class professionals with hands-on experience coaching Olympians, professional athletes, collegiate athletes, and tactical athletes. You’ll be taught the most effective coaching techniques and strategies, crafted from years of experience and backed by scientific research. This course will give you the skills to coach athletes with confidence, no matter their experience level.

    • Understand the biomechanics of weightlifting and how to teach them effectively.
    • Master the art of correction and cueing, ensuring your athletes improve technique while staying safe.
    • Learn how to develop individualized programs that are both effective and safe.

  • Proven Teaching Progressions

    The course breaks down weightlifting movements into manageable steps so you can teach them to athletes of all ages and abilities. The progressions have been tested and refined by top coaches to ensure they maximize learning while minimizing the risk of injury. Whether you’re working with beginners or elite athletes, these proven progressions will guide you every step of the way.

    • Start with the foundational movements, such as squats and presses, and build your athletes’ skills progressively.
    • Develop a thorough understanding of Olympic lifts, from the clean and jerk to the snatch.
    • Learn how to progressively add complexity to training while ensuring long-term athlete development.

  • Hands-On Experience

    This certification isn’t just theoretical; it’s highly practical. You’ll get to apply what you learn through hands-on training sessions, where you’ll work directly with athletes and receive feedback from instructors. This practical experience will ensure that you can confidently put your new knowledge into action.

    • Get real-time feedback from experienced coaches.
    • Learn to troubleshoot common coaching issues and discover effective solutions in the moment.
    • Build your coaching instincts through practice and observation, helping you become a more intuitive coach.

  • Ready-to-Use Training Plans for Novice Athletes

    As a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach, you won’t just learn theory—you’ll be equipped with practical, ready-to-use training plans that you can implement right away. These plans have been designed and tested by top coaches to ensure your athletes experience steady, measurable progress while minimizing the risk of injury.

    • Receive structured, periodized training plans that assume no experience with strength training and cover fundamental movements and build to include snatches, cleans, and jerks.
    • Access ready-made templates you can modify for specific needs and immediately apply with beginners, intermediate lifters, or those preparing for competition.

  • Continuing Education Credits

    The USAW Level 1 Certification provides valuable continuing education credits through a variety of professional organizations. The course is pre-approved for CEUs/CECs through both NASM and ACSM. Many other organizations accept this course for self-reported CEUs and USAW provides the necessary information to self-report.

  • Invest In Your Coaching Career

    By the end of the course, you won’t just be a certified weightlifting coach—you’ll have the confidence, skills, and community to thrive in your coaching career and truly make an impact on your athletes. Ready to invest in yourself and become the coach you’ve always aspired to be? Enroll today and get certified with USA Weightlifting’s Level 1 Coach Certification—where champions are made.

Who Should Take The Level 1 Coaching Course?#

This course is perfect for anyone passionate about coaching weightlifting, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Whether you are:

    • Aspiring to become a weightlifting coach
    • A current coach looking to deepen your knowledge
    • A fitness professional wanting to add weightlifting to your offerings
    • An athlete who wants to better understand technique and learn the mechanics of coaching
    • A tactical coach looking to improve performance and minimize injury risk 
    • A sport coach looking to take on strength and conditioning duties
    • A student 16 or older looking to jump start a career in fitness

    If you're dedicated to improving your coaching skills and advancing your career in the sport of weightlifting, this course is for you.


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Pricing & Duration#

  • Pricing

    • $549 (Includes all course materials, exam and certification)
    • $99 for a yearly USAW coach membership (required for all course participants)

  • Duration

    • In person courses last 13 hours
    • Typically, courses are held Saturday 8a-5p and Sunday 8a-2p
    • Flexible scheduling is available with both in-person and online course options
    • Online courses last 9 hours and are held on weekends as well as weeknights.

    Click HERE for more info on online courses.

Elevate Your Coaching, Empower Your Athletes. #

  • Sign Up Today and Take Your Coaching To The Next Level.

    Whether you're embedded in the sport of weightlifting or want to elevate your training programs for athletes in other sports that require conditioning, see how USAW's Level 1 Coaching course can shift your training.

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Testimonials#

  • Coach Mike R., Certified USAW Level 1 Coach

    "As someone new to weightlifting, this certification gave me a strong foundation to build my coaching career. The material was clear, comprehensive, and accessible, and the support from the USAW instructors has been incredible."

  • Coach Sarah J., Certified USAW Level 1 Coach

    "The USAW Level 1 Certification provided me with the tools I needed to confidently coach athletes of all skill levels. The hands-on experience was invaluable, and I felt fully prepared to lead my athletes to success."

Frequently Asked Questions#