CJ Cummings is an Olympic Weightlifter from Beaufort SC that competes nationally and internationally in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. He has been a member of Team Beaufort Olympic Lifting for about a decade and in that time has claimed many titles and world records. He is one of the most notable lifters in the sport and his fame has allowed him to reach a broad audience including the eye of several sponsors like Reebok, Rogue Fitness, and Ascend Protein.
At The Foundry, CJ lifts in preparation for upcoming competitions including a place on the 2020 2021 summer Olympic Games. His coach and mentor Ray Jones is the founder of Team Beaufort and is one of the most renowned coaches in the sport currently.
CJ Cummings in the news:
- http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/21596079/how-teenager-cj-cummings-help-rescue-weightlifting
- https://www.teamusa.org/News/2019/April/24/18-Year-Old-CJ-Cummings-Sets-15-Records-On-Remarkable-Day-At-Pan-American-Weightlifting-Championship
- https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-lebron-james-of-weightlifting-1440371008
- https://www.cbsnews.com/video/teenage-weightlifter-dreams-of-lifting-gold-medal/
See CJ in Action
Get to Know CJ Cummings
Q: Where are you from/where did you grow up?
A: Right here in Beaufort, SC.
Q: What type of fitness to you train?
A: Olympic weightlifting
Q: What inspired you to start training for that?
A: Seeing how big the sport and all of the travel opportunities I could look forward to.
Q: What were your initial impressions of weight lifting/body building?
A: At first I thought it was just like being in the gym, but there is so much more to it. So many different components and the competitive side of Olympic lifting has interested me since the beginning.
Q: What experience in your weight lifting/body building journey has meant the most to you?
A: Breaking Youth and Junior World records was a huge accomplishment for me.
Q: What does a normal day of training look like for you?
A: Typically on Monday I will work on my Snatch and Tuesday will be Clean and Jerk, and Saturday is a mixed day with snatches, clean and jerks, and squats.
Q: What advice do you have for young people wanting to get into weight lifting/body building?
A: Enjoy it. Don’t be scared of the sport or the pressure or challenge.
Q: What are three things you can’t live without?
A: Food, social media, & fitness
Q: What movie can you watch any time?
A: Fast and the Furious or Transformers series movies
Q: Which song/artist gets you ready for a workout?
A: I listen to a whole bunch of artists, but I prefer hip hop as a genre
Q: Where’s one place you’ve never been, that you’d love to visit?
A: I definitely would like to visit Dubai
Q: Who are your role models?
A: Kendrick farris in Olympic
Q: What’s your go-to method for relaxing at the end of the day?
A: Ice bath and/or taking a nap
Q: What’s your favorite piece of clothing you own?
A: Maybe some dope shoes (Maybe these ones? https://www.reebok.com/us/cj_cummins-shoes)
Q: Which season is the best for being outside?
A: Summer of course for going to the beach and whatnot
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
A: Telekenesis
Q: What is the most important advice you’ve ever received?
A: When things get hard, keep going. Don’t give up. There are going to be obstacles in your way and you either have to go through or find a way around it.
Q: What is your favorite piece of equipment in the gym?
A: Monster Racks because there is just so much you can do with them.
Accomplishments
CJ’s American Records:
- Youth Boy’s 13 & Under 50kg Snatch
- Youth Boy’s 13 & Under 50kg Clean & Jerk
- Youth Boy’s 13 & Under 50kg Total
- Youth Boy’s 13 & Under 56kg Snatch
- Youth Boy’s 13 & Under 56kg Clean & Jerk
- Youth Boy’s 13 & Under 56kg Total
- Youth Boy’s 13 & Under 62kg Snatch
- Youth Boy’s 13 & Under 62kg Clean & Jerk
- Youth Boy’s 13 & Under 62kg Total
- Youth Boy’s 14 & 15 62kg Snatch
- Youth Boy’s 14 & 15 62kg Clean & Jerk
- Youth Boy’s 14 & 15 62kg Total
- Youth Boy’s 14 & 15 69kg Snatch
- Youth Boy’s 14 & 15 69kg Clean & Jerk
- Youth Boy’s 14 & 15 69kg Total
- Youth Boy’s 16 & 17 69kg Snatch
- Youth Boy’s 16 & 17 69kg Clean & Jerk
- Youth Boy’s 16 & 17 69kg Total
- Junior Men’s 62kg Clean & Jerk
- Junior Men’s 69kg Snatch
- Junior Men’s 69kg Clean & Jerk
- Junior Men’s 69kg Total
- Senior Men’s 62kg Clean & Jerk
- Senior Men’s 69kg Clean & Jerk
- Senior Men’s 69kg Snatch
- Senior Men’s 69kg Total
- Junior Men’s 73kg Snatch
- Junior Men’s 73kg Clean & Jerk
- Junior Men’s 73kg Total
- Senior Men’s 73kg Clean & Jerk
- Senior Men’s 73kg Snatch
- Senior Men’s 73kg Total
CJ’s Pan-American Records:
- Youth Men’s 69kg Snatch
- Youth Men’s 69kg Clean & Jerk
- Youth Men’s 69kg Total
- Junior Men’s 73kg Snatch
- Junior Men’s 73kg Clean & Jerk
- Junior Men’s 73kg Total
- Senior Men’s 73kg Clean & Jerk
- Senior Men’s 73kg Snatch
- Senior Men’s 73kg Total
CJ’s World Records:
- Youth Men’s 69kg Clean & Jerk
- Junior Men’s 73kg Snatch
- Junior Men’s 73kg Clean & Jerk
- Junior Men’s 73kg Total
CJ’s Personal Records:
- Snatch – 154kg
- Clean & Jerk – 193kg
- Total – 347kg
