Why SFWL?

Why weightlifting at all?

The sport of weightlifting - competition lifts being the Snatch and Clean & Jerk - can be among the most engaging, challenging and motivating pastimes out there. Whether or not you chose to compete, like many other sports weightlifting will keep you fit, mobile and strong just through the training process itself.

There's a whole lot more to it than the 2 key lifts. Developing strength and powers key to being a better all round athlete too. You will squat, pull, press, lunge and jump as you make progress towards bigger and bigger competition lifts.

Starting out?

Beginners will be taught the key lifts in sessions designed to allow the best possible learning outcomes. Small groups and progressive sessions will take someone from never having performed a snatch or clean & jerk, all the way to their first competition. As such I will expect first timers to have the ability to squat past parallel and to support a bar overhead*. The rest we will develop!

I already compete, can I join?

Absolutely! I cater for all levels; beginners/novice lifters and intermediate/advanced lifters. Everybody will be on slightly different, individualised programmes but in our group sessions I coach everyone at the same time. If you already compete this shouldn’t be a new approach to you and should fall into place nicely. Even those on a separate coaches programme are welcome to join as long as you’ve cleared it with your coach.

What makes us different?

Stand Fast aims to be a model coaching approach. In an individual sport with an individual programme, you become part of a wider team. Learning from and supporting each other as each period of training builds towards competitions or maxing out. Typically every 3-4 months, programming will ramp up towards setting new personal bests and learning how to compete as well as train. HOWEVER, you are as all weightlifters are, trying to continually better YOURSELF.

Having something to focus on like a competition will give you clarity and drive, speeding up the improvement of your lifting. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced lifter who already competes you'll benefit from guidance and coaching, friendly competition and structured programming.

Not just more Crossfit...

Our structure is geared solely towards weightlifting. Although there will be periodic sessions for conditioning work, that too is aimed at making you a better lifter. There are options to add accessory work, to get fully personalised programming and/or to see a coach individually. How good you want to get is not limited to group training only.

Come join the team!

*What if I can't squat past parallel or support a bar overhead? - Don't worry you can still lift, but you'll be asked to complete a foundation course or a few individually coached sessions to get you up to speed. We want to ensure quality and fairness in our group sessions and have to make sure the basics are met and everyone can receive the same high quality attention.