Barbell Club
Olympic Weightlifting Club
At Body Express Barbell Club Association Inc., we're not just about lifting weights; we're about lifting spirits and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. As a proud affiliate of the Queensland Weightlifting Association, we specialise in Olympic weightlifting, offering personalised training sessions tailored to every level, from beginners to seasoned athletes.
About Us
Led by our AWF-qualified coach
Led by our AWF-qualified coach, Iain, we offer both one-on-one personal training and small group sessions designed to help you reach your full potential. We take the time to understand your aspirations and provide realistic time frames to help you get where you want to be. With our structured programs and expert guidance, we’ll challenge you to push your limits and achieve greatness.
Join Our community
For all ages and skill levels
Body Express Barbell Club Association Inc. is an approved and registered weightlifting club with QLD Weightlifting. Our sport welcomes all levels of experience and ability, from complete beginners to seasoned competitors.
At Barbell Club, you can learn, develop, and strengthen through the snatch and clean and jerk—two movements that truly test strength, coordination, speed, and flexibility. Olympic Weightlifting is a sport that everyone loves once they experience it.
Our inclusive community welcomes individuals of all ages and skill levels, fostering an environment where you can develop your skills and thrive in the sport of Olympic weightlifting.
Workout Anytime, Anywhere
Online Training
Our online training program offers the ultimate flexibility, with lift analysis and weekly feedback to keep you on track and motivated. Explore our subscription packages on the TrainHeroic app and choose the plan that suits your schedule and budget.
In-School Programs
Empowering the Next Generation
As advocates for fitness and wellbeing, we're passionate about educating and inspiring the next generation of lifters. Through our in-school programs, we're actively engaged in local schools, teaching students about the importance of weightlifting and encouraging them to get involved in sports and fitness activities.
Promoting Weightlifting and Fostering Community
In-House Session Packages
Gold Coast-based Olympic weightlifting Barbell Club was founded in 2012 by Iain Blacow. Our club was established to create an inclusive team environment accessible to all ages and abilities, focusing on teaching foundational skills derived from head coach Iain Blacow’s extensive training and experiences.
ONE session
$20
1x session per week
Unlimited sessions
$35
Up to 4x sessions per week
Have a Question?
Olympic Weightlifting FAQs
Olympic weightlifting is a sport featured in both the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games, where athletes compete in two main lifts: the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk. The Queensland Weightlifting Association supports athletes by offering opportunities to compete at various levels, from local meets to national championships.
Weightlifters are categorised by bodyweight and often by age groups as well. There are multiple bodyweight classes for both men and women.
The annual Queensland Championships and Australian Championships host competitions across several age groups: Under 15, Under 17 (Youth), Under 20 (Junior), Under 23, Senior (Open), and Masters (35 and over). Besides these championships, Queensland boasts a vibrant club competition scene throughout the year.
With the right coaching, proper equipment, and realistic expectations, weightlifting training is safe and beneficial for most individuals. However, myths still persist, causing concern for those unfamiliar with weightlifting.
In the past, it was recommended that children and adolescents avoid weightlifting due to concerns about potential musculoskeletal injuries. However, a retrospective review of weightlifting’s effects on preadolescents and adolescents revealed that weightlifting poses no extraordinary risk to healthy growth. In fact, it contributes to greater bone density and stronger joints.
A well-designed and supervised weightlifting program can safely and effectively offer the following benefits:
- Improved muscle tone
- Enhanced joint flexibility
- Better motor skills
- Increased strength, power, and speed
- Improved body composition
- Better cardiorespiratory function
- Enhanced overall sports performance
- Greater confidence and self-esteem
Children of any age can train and compete in local club competitions and some state-level competitions. Since young children typically do not develop strong muscles until puberty, it’s crucial to set realistic expectations and focus on skill development and enjoyment.
Participants of all ages should follow the guidance of an accredited weightlifting coach. Physical development varies based on age, body type, current levels of physical activity, and different growth phases.
To perform the complex movements involved in weightlifting, beginners must first learn basic techniques. As they master these introductory exercises with relatively light weights, they can gradually increase the weights and advance to more challenging training. A qualified coach can monitor individual progress and significantly aid in developing advanced skills and achieving greater results.
Weightlifters work on perfecting their technical skills while conditioning their bodies to become strong and powerful. This combination of learning weightlifting techniques and progressive physical conditioning provides a balanced approach to overall physical development.
It’s essential to understand the distinctions between Olympic weightlifting, strength training, powerlifting, and bodybuilding, as each discipline has unique goals and methods.
Strength Training: Strength training uses resistance to enhance a person’s ability to exert or resist force. This can involve free weights, body weight, machines, or other devices like elastic bands and medicine balls. It’s commonly incorporated into various sports for overall physical conditioning and improving general fitness.
Powerlifting: Powerlifting is a competitive sport where athletes showcase their maximum lifting ability across three main lifts: the Squat, the Bench Press, and the Deadlift. The primary goal of powerlifting training is to develop maximal strength.
Bodybuilding: Bodybuilding is focused on aesthetics and muscle development rather than competitive lifting. Bodybuilders engage in weight training to sculpt and enlarge muscles, often targeting specific muscles or muscle groups with isolation exercises. The aim is to achieve muscle size, shape, and overall body symmetry.
Weightlifting: Weightlifting, an Olympic and Commonwealth Games sport, involves two specific lifts: the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk. This sport emphasises technique, power, and speed, distinguishing it from other forms of weight-based training.
Women can develop significant strength through resistance training without experiencing an excessive increase in muscle size due to hormonal differences between men and women. In fact, many women who engage in Olympic weightlifting tend to lose excess body fat, leading to a reduction in overall body size.
Biologically, there are no differences that inhibit women’s ability to participate in weightlifting and weight training. Women often have a natural advantage in flexibility compared to men, enabling them to perform weightlifting movements more effectively. Additionally, a woman’s body can handle a resistance training program just as well as a man’s.
Weightlifting does not impair fertility in women. Since female reproductive organs are internal and well-protected, they are not at risk of injury from weightlifting. Moreover, physically active women often experience easier pregnancies and deliver healthier babies.
Concerns that weightlifting will make women overly aggressive or unfeminine are unfounded. While all sports cultivate competitive qualities, these traits, combined with a woman’s natural femininity, manifest as increased self-confidence rather than aggression or a loss of femininity.
A good pair of weightlifting shoes is recommended. Additionally, you might consider using wrist straps, knee sleeves, and a lifting costume, although these items are not essential.
Get Started Today
Contact us to schedule your initial consultation and let us help you unlock your full potential. With Body Express Personal Training, achieving your fitness goals has never been more accessible or enjoyable. Don’t just dream it – achieve it with us.