Frequently asked questions

What is Powerlifting and Weightlifitng? Is there a difference between the two?

Powerlifting consists of 3 lifts- the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. Weightlifting consists of 2 lifts - the snatch (floor to overhead in one movement) and the clean & jerk (floor to overhead in two movements). At Warwick Barbell we support people looking to improve at both of these sports, whether just for fun or if you're looking to compete. Powerlifting (left) & Weightlifting (right)



What kinds of sports does Warwick Barbell offer?

At Warwick Barbell, we're open to all types of lifting and experience levels - whether you've never stepped foot in a gym or if you've competed 100 times, being a member of Warwick Barbell will allow you to train with us, helping you to reach your fitness goals. Most of our lifters train for either Powerlifting or Weightlifting, but we also have members that lift as part of their training for other sports, for fun or for health and members that are just here for the socials



Do I need to be strong to be a part of Warwick Barbell? Do I need to compete?

Not at all! Whether you're a champ or you've never set foot in a gym, the only thing that matters to us is that you want to get stronger. You don't have to choose between powerlifting or weightlifting or any other exercises, and you don't have to compete if you don't want to - Warwick Barbell is for everyone wanting to get stronger. That being said, we hold internal meets which we encourage getting involved in, it's a really fun atmosphere to max out lifts in with a lot of cheers and support.



I'm a girl, is weightlifting/powerlifting for me? Will it make me bulky?

All women are welcome, we have plenty of women in our club, and our women are doing fantastically! Head over to our women's page to find out more! About getting bulky - for the most part this is a myth. Gaining muscle is a slow process and it is very difficult for women to become 'bulky'. Ultimately if you don't love how strong you're getting, since it's a gradual process, you can always take a step back.



Where do Warwick Barbell train? Will I need a gym membership?

Warwick Barbell train at the Sports and Wellness Hub, which most people will know as the campus gym. You'll need to pick up a Warwick Sport membership, which you can grab here! Once you've got this, you'll be able to join us when we train!



What days and times can I train with Warwick Barbell?

We train as a group twice a week, on Wednesday 1-3, and on Saturday 12-2, but you'll likely see many of us around in the gym on other days of the week too! Most of us enjoy training 3-5 days a week at Warwick Sport, so you'll likely always see some friendly faces in the gym whilst you train. If you don't train at Warwick Sport, but still want to be a part of Warwick Barbell, that's okay! You're more than welcome to train at your own gym, and join us for competitions, socials, and other events.



What benefits do I get from joining Warwick Barbell?

Most importantly, you'll be joining a group of like-minded lifters, all of whom are at different stages, and are always happy to help with any questions you might have. During our training sessions, we'll be available to support you in anything lifting related, and we'll be more than happy to share some tips and tricks that you can use to improve your own lifting. Our members get exclusive use of our power bars that we store in Warwick Sport which are ideal for powerlifting. You can also access free coached weightlifting sessions twice a week. We can also provide you with competition advice and support on the day if that's what you're interested in. We get some benefits with Warwick Sport, such as the privilege of reserved rack space in the gym during our training sessions, which means that you'll be able to work in with people you know! Warwick Sport are also generous enough to allow us to use their rack space to host our internal meet each year, in which you'll be able to test your strength and max out in front of a small crowd under competition conditions. Finally, Warwick Barbell is fortunate enough to have partnerships with a number of sports brands, such as StrengthShop, MyProtein, SBD and BulkPowders. Buying your equipment and supplements through us means that you'll be able to get things for lower prices!



What do I need to bring to training sessions? Do I need all the equipment recommended?

Not at all! So long as you're in gym appropriate wear, you're welcome to join us at any session. For weightlifting and powerlifting, if you are a beginner or you don't want to spend money on specialist shoes, we strongly recommend wearing flat shoes like converses as they're a little more stable for lifting in. Other options can be found in our "Equipment" article. Other than that, equipment is optional. If you're looking to buy more equipment, you can ask members, check our sponsors & partners or our equipment article.