Topic: How would a person go about forming a Weightlifting Club?

[Arden Cogar Jr.]

I know this is a bit of an odd question.  But I'm sort of a man on island in my area in regards to Olympic Lifting.  My coach and all USAW folk are a good 4 hour drive away. I'm very interested in getting my own club coach certification.

Two folk in West Virginia post on this and other wl'ing message boards - Scott Tusic and Sam Addington.  Both are a good two and half hours away from me.  Sam coaches his sons and no longer lifts.  Scott coaches several young lifters and competes in a combination of powerlifitng and olympic lifting. 

My young daughters are both interested in the sport and my 11 year old is hooked after competing at the East Coast Gold Gold Cup this past weekend.

 I don't want to make any money off this (I have a great job and a hobby that provides a wonderful secondary income). 

  My home gym has a platform, jerk boxes, york technique boxes, york bars, 350 pounds of kraiburg bumpers, 70 kilos of werksan bumpers, york power cage, junior bar, hi-tech plates, kettlebell sets from 8kg to 48kg, rings, climbing ropes, etc. I've even outfitted the Charleston YMCA with a portable platform, and 240 pounds of kraiburg bumpers.  I built a platform at Crossfit WV a few weeks ago (they have tons of bumpers and lots of great Pendlay bars).

   Any way, not sure how to do it and I'm interested in any who may have or may have a thought.  I think it would be good for myself, my daughters, and anyone else who might be interested.  It's something we don't really have in the Kanawha Valley.

    My inclination is to stray away from the traditional larger facilities as dropping weights is "bad."  That's where it's great that Crossfit WV just opened it's doors a few weeks ago.  They have room for more platforms, but we would need the interest.  A good friend is planning on opening up a training facility in the area as well, perhaps it would be possible to do it there.  I don't know.  I'm just thinking out loud.

  Thanks in advance to any who might have some thoughts.

All the best,
 Arden

[Dave Chiu]

Just keep working along -- the ideas and opportunities will come.  Give and hour per week at each of several local schools to share your expertise w/o getting taken for granted at any one place.

One thing to beware of is putting too much effort into training novices who come to you at your own gym -- it will burn you out very fast.

Don't focus too much effort on anyone who is not paying you well.

You spend an hour working personally w/ someone new, they usually seem very intent and appreciative at the time, but then they never come back or quit after a week or so, and you feel rather abused.

My ideal method is to have them come and JUST WATCH for a few wkts. 

Then I introduce JUST ONE rudimentary exercise per wkt to build the basics of leverage, amplitude, flexibility, strength, etc.

If they're still coming at the end of a month, I start intro-ing the lifts.

If you don't treat it as a precious skill like a martial art that learners need to prove themselves worthy of being instructed in, then you will really regret wasting a lot of time w/ nice people who are not serious about becoming real LIFTERS.

[Fred Fialco]

We have started an olympic lifting club recently, Feb 08, in the Washington D.C. area.  I am happy to share some thoughts with you.  You can email me at fred@capitalbarbellclub.com. 

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Here is the form to register your new club:
Club Application Form

Here is information on club coaching courses:
Club Coaching Course Calendar

[Arden Cogar Jr.]

Thanks Fred,
  You have mail.

all the best,
 Arden

We have started an olympic lifting club recently, Feb 08, in the Washington D.C. area.  I am happy to share some thoughts with you.  You can email me at fred@capitalbarbellclub.com. 

[Arden Cogar Jr.]

Thank you very much Chris!!! This is exactly what I needed.

Things are looking up.  Talked to one of the groups I mentioned previously and the owner is very very interested.

All the best,
 Arden

Here is the form to register your new club:
Club Application Form

Here is information on club coaching courses:
Club Coaching Course Calendar