Which exercise is NOT commonly used to assess an athlete's physical readiness for lifting?

The bench press is not commonly used to assess an athlete's physical readiness for lifting in the context of Olympic weightlifting. While it is a valuable exercise for developing upper body strength, especially in the chest, shoulders, and triceps, it does not engage the same fundamental movement patterns or muscle groups that are critical in Olympic lifts, such as the snatch and clean and jerk.

In contrast, the overhead squat, front squat, and snatch deadlift are exercises that closely resemble the movements performed during Olympic weightlifting. They assess not only strength but also mobility, stability, and coordination, which are essential for effective lifting. The overhead squat, for example, tests an athlete's ability to maintain a strong, stable position while balancing a load overhead, which is crucial for the snatch. Similarly, the front squat and snatch deadlift require coordination and strength in the muscles involved in the Olympic lifts, making them more relevant for assessing readiness in that specific context.