3-time Olympic coach partners with LaLanne Fitness

September 17, 11:05 AMSF Fitness ExaminerJim Evans

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Veteran weightlifter and 3-time Olympic coach Jim Schmitz is now conducting weightlifting clinics at San Francisco-based LaLanne Fitness, the tiny “kick-ass” gym in the nondescript “brickhouse” on Howard Street. Schmitz was the U.S. Olympic Team Coach in 1980 and 1988, and assistant coach in 1992 and is author of the book Olympic-style Weightlifting for Beginners and Intermediate Weightlifters. He has been an active competitor since 1966.

“We are pleased – and excited – to have someone with Jim’s knowledge and experience working with our members,” says LaLanne Fitness owner Chris LaLanne, grandnephew of fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne. “We already incorporate certain Olympic-style movements in our fitness regimen, and Jim’s coaching should help our members greatly improve their form and technique and help them appreciate the value of including Olympic-style training in their workouts.”

Schmitz, a San Francisco native, began training with weights in 1960 “to get bigger, faster, and stronger,” says Schmitz, “which I did, but I liked Olympic-style weightlifting best. I liked the athleticism of doing the lifts and felt they made me more powerful and explosive, and I think they are fun to do! ” After graduating from SFSU in 1968 and earning MVP honors in football, Schmitz opened The Sports Palace, a hardcore free weight facility, on Mission Street in San Francisco (later moved to Valencia Street) and was a successful gym owner for more than 30 years.

 “I now do personal training and coaching courses,” says Schmitz, “and write for MILO Magazine, a strongman journal.

Along the way, Scmitz became a very successful weightlifting coach, coaching 10 men to 7 Olympics, including silver medalist Mario Martinez in 1984. He has also coached women to the world championships. But, his interested in the sport extended beyond the lifting platform, serving as president of USA Weightlifting from 1988-1996 and as a member of the International Weightlifting Federation’s Executive Board from 1992-1996.

“I met Chris (LaLanne) in Oakland in 2005,” says Schmitz. “He has developed an interest in Olympic-style Weightlifting, and I have been doing clinics at his CrossFit gym.”

Why Olympic-style lifting? “Besides improving your strength and power, Olympic lifting improves your physique and fitness and has the greatest carry over to any physical activity of any training method. It also It also increases your strength, power, explosiveness, reflexes, speed, balance, coordination, concentration, toughness, fitness competitiveness, flexibility, physique, agility, determination, and confidence to carry over to other physical activities,” he adds.

Besides weightlifting, Schmitz enjoys hiking and photography – two hobbies conducive to his native SF Bay Area. For an in-depth look at Jim’s training philosophy, refer to “The Weightlifting Exchange” at http://weightliftingexchange.com/.

Schmitz’s clinics are emblematic of the hardcore, back-to-the-basics training philosophy championed by LaLanne Fitness, powered by CrossFit (http://www.lalannefitness.com/). By introducing coaches of Schmitz’s caliber to his members, Chris LaLanne continues his goal to help them “be the best” by “training with the best.” And Schmitz is among the best in the game.

To meet Jim Schmitz in person and for information about his Olympic-style weightlifting clinics, contact LaLanne Fitness at 415-512-7645.  Also, refer to www.examiner.com/x-11566-SF-Fitness-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Gym-profile--LaLanne-Fitness.