Topic: Weightlifters unite

[Roy Lopez]

Hi,

I have got my first job, working for a media investment company, and it will require me to be travelling and living in different countries year-round. Stays will vary from 3 to 6 months in each nation, and I cannot wait  to live in different countries.

We, as weightlifters, are at a disadvantage when it comes to travelling abroad. We are lucky to find decent gyms, and most of the time have to train in machine-ladden fitness centers, where fitness is the one thing their customers lack.

I would like to start a post where we can help each other by posting weightlifting or weightlifting-friendly training halls/gyms that we have trained in (either in holidays, back-packing, working abroad or presently), for those who are on the constant move. It does not matter where you are, someone may always have to go where you live, and it is always a pleasure to train properly in different locations.

I was thinking of posting this in other message boards too such as Fortifiediron and PowerandBulk. Perhaps we could create some sort of database so that finding a place to train will be easier.

I think this could work, and it would make it  easier to move to different locations.

Many thanks

[Roy Lopez]

Please specify country, then region and then address. Things such as who to contact, opening times, fees, keenness to foreigners etc are welcomed.

I will start myself, having trained in three different countries:

SPAIN:

Tenerife (Canary Islands): Next to the Stadium Francisco Peraza, in the town of La Laguna. Ask for David Galvan (coach). Big training hall,dedicated exclusively for olympic lifting. They welcome anyone, even for just one workout.

Madrid: Sports Center "La Latina" (take the underground to La Latina station). Small training hall. If you are friendly, they will let you train with  them. Ask for Pepe Cano (coach). They only train monday to fridays, 6 till 8.30 evenings.

FRANCE:

Paris (Ille de France): Montmartre club, next to the Port de Clignancourt tube station. It is an athletic sports centre, and the weighlifting club is next to the running track in a small house. They also have a small oldskool museum,with globe bars. Rigoulet  trained here. Ask for Marcial. They will let you train, but if for a long time you need to get a medical check. It is a weightlifter's gym, but it caters to anyone. The oly guys train at different times, just ask.

UNITED KINGDOM:

London (Crystal Palace): Located south of London, you need to take a train from either Victoria or London Bridge station. Big sports center and training hall. Ask for Keith Morgan. Foreigners are welcomed. Elite Oly lifters, powerlifters and athletes train here. 100 pounds (about 150 dollars) for a year membership. OPen from 9 in the morning until 10 in the evening.

London (Wood Green): Located north of London (Zone 3 I think). Take Picadilly line to Wood Green. Located in New River Sports Center. Cannot remember the full name of person to ask, first name is Dave. Have not trained here yet, but my coach reccomended it.

[Eamonn Flanagan]

Limerick, Ireland: The Arena gym, at the university of limerick (UL) is good. They have a large platform, eleiko bar and eleiko bumper plates. You can pay for a single session or an extended membership.