Find out more about how to start your own weightlifting club

What is a Weightlifting Club

A weightlifting club is a somewhere you can go to learn the sport of Olympic weightlifting. As a BWL club, you will teach the technique of weightlifting to your athletes, which could range from 5 years of age to 80+. You will need to be situated in a facility that can accommodate the demands of the sport. We have listed below the recommended equipment list you should consider before opening a club.

A weightlifting club can become a strong part of an area’s community, providing an outlet for all ages and groups of people. Allowing them to come together in a safe space to learn, express themselves and form friendships while taking part in a sport.

As your club develops you will have the opportunity to attend local, regional and national competitions. Your lifters will be able to complete for national titles, attempting to beat national records, with the possibility of being selected to represent Team GB on the international platform.

If you are thinking about creating your own weightlifting club you will receive guidance and gain access to our specially designed Club Fundamentals eLearning course which will help guide you through the process of joining and becoming a club. If you would like to start this process today, please contact enquiries@britishweightlifting.org

Recommended Equipment list for New Clubs

Olympic weightlifting clubs can be placed in many different types of facilities. Here is a list of the equipment we recommend a new weightlifting club should have:

• 22mm+ thick rubber matting/Platform
• 20kg Olympic Weightlifting Bar
• 15kg Olympic Weightlifting Bar
• Technique Bar (7ft 5kg Aluminium)
• Pairs of Rubber Weightlifting Discs - 2.5kg, 5kg, 10kg, 15kg, 20kg, 25kg
• Fraction weights 5kg-0.5kg
• Collars (Spring/clip)
• Free standing Squat racks

Club Matters Support

Club Matters is a portal, toolkit and programme run by Sport England. It provides free resources to help you develop and run a sustainable club.

Whether you are a club chair writing a plan to attract new members, a treasurer managing budgets or a Head Coach asking existing members what they want, Club Matters can help your club to thrive.

Club Matters offers a wide range of tools, top tips and quick and easy guides to help with the day-to-day running of clubs including:

Workshops – Free, short training sessions delivered across the country by experts on a range of specific areas.

Mentoring – Either for long-term support, or just a short call to sound out ideas, Club Matters’ flexible mentoring scheme offers personal support at a time and place to suit.

Club Improvement Plans – Online resource for clubs of all sizes and at all stages of their development, to establish where they are performing well and where they can develop.

Club Views – A club survey tool helping users to ask members and volunteers what they think about their club and make suggestions.

Online Support – Help and guidance in all areas of running a sports club. This includes online toolkits, quick reference guides and e-learning modules.  

For more information visit - https://www.sportenglandclubmatters.com/