I’m a really noisy weightlifter. I know this because when someone new joins our sessions, there’s usually a point at which coach John explains that things can get a bit loud when I’m around. I used to feel a little embarrassed about this situation but being a noisy lifter is not a choice I made--it’s just part of who I am. My outbursts stand out all the more because the people I lift with are all pretty quiet about it.

For me, letting out a shout before and during a heavy single feels important. It seems totally natural. However, I watch other lifters getting much more tin in the air with nothing but the slap of Oly shoes and the pop-thud of a barbell off the hips for accompaniment. So this had me wondering, what are the benefits or maybe even the disadvantages of making noise during lifts?

Neurologically speaking there are scientific studies that have shown that saying certain words while in pain has a naturally analgesic effect. In most cases, it seems that swearing is most beneficial. Now I’m no scientist, but it doesn’t seem too much of a stretch to wonder if a short vocal outburst, a shout, or a scream might fire up the same neural pathways and ease the strain of a lift.

Then there are the psychological aspects of the age-old war cry. Have you ever seen a battle scene in a film that doesn’t involve yelling? This need to intimidate the opposition aurally must be instinctual. If you watch a group of young kids charging at each other while play fighting, there will always be some serious bellowing going on. For some weightlifters, the battle cry is a key part of a list of cues that form part of their platform swagger. For me, the pre-lift grunt or shout helps to flick a mental switch to find my focus.

The importance of aural arousal in challenging, even life-threating situations has been recognized for centuries. The bagpipes as an instrument are actually considered a part of a Celtic army’s arsenal. That distinctive, complex, and somewhat screeching sound that the bagpipes emit was intended to rouse the emotions of the army and inspire fear in their enemies. When we as weightlifters go in to battle with gravity and ourselves, shouldn’t we have a primal soundtrack?

I have a hunch that as much shouting at the bar will help some lifters, it will equally well disrupt the interior mental routine and discipline of others. Perhaps for some, though, there are other reasons to vocalize a lift.

When I began training, I had a really bad habit of holding my breath. As soon as my body encountered any strain, I would lock off my airway until the lift or set was over. Because breathing is literally second nature to us humans, learning to alter our breathing tempo is challenging. For me, releasing a shout as I come out of a squat helps me expel a little pressure and avoid a dizzy spell at a critical moment. Now I’m sure there are some who advocate keeping that breath in to retain core integrity, but for me, that moment to breathe out and then in keeps me on the right side of conscious!

Okay, so those are the tangible or measurable benefits to shouting when you lift. And I know some of you will read that and still not feel comfortable being a noisy lifter or even being near one. I get it, I really do. Sometimes it’s awkward, like sitting on a crowded train near a guy who’s rocking and talking to himself. And yes, there should be some boundaries. We are all there to train and have fun and if a lifter’s behaviour infringes on other people’s ability to get the most out of their time at the gym, then a conversation needs to be had.

The thing that I think you’ll find, though, is that in many cases a gym full of noisy weightlifters provides a great atmosphere. You can watch your lifting buddies and not just see but also hear the effort they’re giving. And because they’re bringing down the roof you find yourself yelling encouragement right back at them. Surrounded by that primal din of encouragement, I bet you’ll find your spirit rising. Making noise together creates strong bonds. Look at the terraces of any sports stadium.

For my part, I’m going to carry on being a noisy lifter because sometimes yelling my heart out is what I need to get me out of the hole on a clean or a snatch. I will keep yelling because it rounds out my emotional experience when I lift. It’s like I’m letting it all out and laying it on my friend the barbell. Perhaps weightlifting is some kind of ‘primal scream therapy’ for some of us. Perhaps not. Maybe everything you’ve read hasn’t gotten you totally convinced. If that’s the case, I encourage you to go and give it a little try next time you lift. See if you can ease the pain, psych yourself up, get control of your breathing, and lift your spirit with a bit of noise. As Public Enemy once said, “Bring the noise”!