Explanation of lifts

One-arm lift

When the dumbbell or barbell weighs under 100 pounds, it is raised by the lifter from the ground to the starting position. Heavier weights may be taken from spotters or from a power rack that suspends the weight in a sling.

One or two hands may then be used to move the dumbbell to the starting position, with elbow parallel to the shoulder. The dumbbell is pressed overhead in a continuous motion to a full arm extension, where it is held for three seconds. During this manoeuvre, the torso may not rotate. The dumbbell must be free of contact with the power rack at full arm extension.

The lift is complete at the end of three seconds and the dumbbell may be retrieved by spotters, returned to the power rack or set on the ground. In making this lift his speciality, Sri Chinmoy has named it the “Body, Heart and Soul One-Arm Lift.”