In competition, each competitor is allowed three attempts in each lift. The sum of each lifter's best successful attempts in the snatch and the clean and jerk determine the lifter's total. The total is used to determine the placing of the lifter in a competition. Both men and women compete in weightlifting. There are eight weight classes for men and seven weight classes for women.
Lifters compete against others in their weight class.
Athletes of all ages participate in weightlifting. Recognized age catagories in weightlifting are Schoolage, Juniors, Seniors and Masters. An athlete can begin lifting at age twelve and continue to compete long after retirement. Competitions are held at the local, state, national and international level. The High Desert Open Weightlifting Championships are held in northern Nevada in July, for lifters in Nevada and northern California.