Coach Development Offerings

When we understand what makes up habitual behavior and how habit formation works, we can make a plan for effective change. Creating goal-directed habits – that is, building a set of habitual behaviors that support our goals – makes doing the things we need to do for success as mindless as tying your shoes. This module introduces you to habits and associated human behavior, setting the stage for the ability to manipulate both!

By enrolling in the USAW Strategic Goal-Setting Specialist Course, coaches can expect to elevate their coaching game and drive unparalleled results for their clients or athletes through the mastery of strategic goal setting and fostering a collaborative, communicative relationship.

Unlock your performance potential with the USAW Performance Recovery Specialist course. This course offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of strategies to enhance athletic performance through effective recovery techniques. Become a master of recovery. Categorized and ranked based on their effectiveness, learn about recovery strategies proven to optimize performance within a training session, over a week of training, and across training cycles.

Mobility is more than flexibility--it's the key to moving well, recovering faster, and reducing injuries. For weightlifters, coaches, and health professionals, this knowledge can transform training and performance.

Your pelvis connects your abs, diaphragm, hips, and glutes—it’s the true foundation of strength. Without proper pelvic health, athletes risk leaks, pain, injuries, and stalled progress. This course gives you the tools to train smarter, lift stronger, and recover better.

The Level 1 and Level 2 Certification Exams are approved for reimbursement through U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill® benefits. Veterans may register for USA Weightlifting Level 1 or Level 2 coaching certifications through the standard registration process and, after completing the exam, apply for reimbursement of the exam fee through the VA.

USA Weightlifting offers a limited number of tuition scholarships to qualified female coaches to attend the Level 1 or Level 2 Coach Certification course. The scholarship only covers the tuition cost of the certification and membership is required. Any travel-related or non-tuition expenses are not covered. 

USA Weightlifting is able to offer a limited number of tuition scholarships to qualified youth coaches to attend an online or in-person Level 1 Coach Certification course. USAW, in partnership with the Susan Crown Foundation’s Million Coaches Challenge, is working to expand the number of quality, trained coaches who work primarily with youth in underserved communities.

We've partnered with ACSM to provide its members and certified professionals the Level 1 and Level 2 Courses at a special price. Enjoy a 20% discount on your course tuition with your ACSM membership or certification! 

Athlete Wellness Program - Resources for athletes facing mental health challenges, post-athletic career transitions and other personal issues.

Entry Fee Hardship Fund - For members facing financial hardship, but wish to continue in the sport. 

The USAW Level 1 course, a prerequisite to the Weightlifting Training Specialist (WTS) credential, is officially approved as part of the U.S. Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) program. This approval enables eligible soldiers in the Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve to use Army CA funding to pursue the WTS credential prerequisite training, the USAW Level 1 Coach course. Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

USAW offers free online courses for members to help coaches keep learning without barriers. These courses cover essential topics that help you define your coaching philosophy. Many of these courses are made possible through a partnership with the Susan Crown Foundation, founders of the MIllion Coaches Challenge, which aims to train one million coaches in positive youth development skills by 2026. Additionally, USA Weightlifting offers several free guides to help kickstart your coaching journey. 

The USAW Weightlifting Sports Performance Workshop is a dynamic, 4-hour professional development experience created specifically for High School Coaches and Educators who want to safely and effectively integrate Olympic-style weightlifting into their programs—but aren’t sure where to start or how to do it right.
We get it—coaching lifts like the power snatch and power clean can feel overwhelming without the right guidance. You're responsible for athlete safety, skill development, and performance—and you can’t afford to guess your way through it. That’s why this learn-by-doing workshop is focused on real-world coaching solutions.