29.10.08
Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club
I thought it was about time I uploaded the couple of photo’s I took of the Weightlifting Club I go to at Bethnal Green, London. This club has been in existence a massive 80 years, since 1928 and has produced literally hundreds of Olympic Weight Lifting champions over the years. It’s located at 229 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 6AB:
The power lifting side is well coached by Marting and Ron, and the Olympic lifting side is coached by Giles Greenwood and Patrick Atteridge, both of whom are British champions and more. Pat is European and World masters champion and Giles not only has a Gold medal from the Commonwealth Games, but he holds the British records for Snatch and Clean & Jerk in the heaviest category. That means Giles has lifted more than any other British man ever! I am truly privileged to be taught by such calibre of coaches.
You can see the 3 lifting platforms here and the bulk of the all Eleiko kit they have
Typically you can get 2-3 people per lifting platform, so it does get busy during peak times, but they are normally able to cope. It’s not like a normal gym, you actually have to sign up for an Adult learning course at Bethnal Green Adult Education Centre. It’s a bit tricky to do this I found, but here’s what you need to do, search the Learning Ladder site for Weight and Power Lifting Courses Sadly their website is rubbish and you have to go through each entry to work out what day and when it’s on. In the evenings it’s also only open from 5pm – 8pm. Still if you can manage it, here is where you’ll end up:
This is the main free weights area where the powerlifting goes on. That's Giles Goodwood darting out of the shot.
Tee hee, Giles wasn’t fast enough! You can see at the far end, there’s an area there which is often used as an overspill for the Olympic lifting, and in the bottom right corner is the rest of the smaller weight Eleiko plates.
As far as Crossfit goes, it’s possible to do some Crossfit Workouts if it’s quiet enough, which usually means in the last 1/2 hour before they shut at 8pm. There are 2 rowers but only 1 has the counter working. There’s only 1 pull up station too and it doesn’t lend itself to kipping pull ups due to various sticky out bits, but it’s possible. I’ve done some Crossfit workouts down there, and the coaches and denizens are politely tolerant. Mostly they are happy to see another group of people interesting in Olympic lifting.
List of Gyms in London, Farringdon, Clerkenwell, Islington, City for Crossfit said,
October 29, 2008 at 1:17 pm
[...] on Thursday last week, I found the hidden gem: Bethnal Green Weight Lifting Club, which is less than 2 miles away from Farringdon. Not only do they have 3 pukka weight lifting [...]
Patrick Atteridge | Bethnal Green Olympic Weight Lifting Club said,
November 4, 2008 at 10:30 pm
[...] was ecstatic last Wednesday at getting a 100kg Clean. It’s a land mark point and as Giles Greenwood said: “You never forget get your first 100!” Ok, I didn’t get the jerk, but I was [...]
AMIR NAHUM said,
November 27, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hello
My name is Amir Nahum, I’m an Olympic weightlifting coach.
I have 19 years of coaching experience, included coaching in schools, main clubs and national team (as head coach).
I’m looking for a new place to contribute my knowledge, and I wondered whether you are for a serious coach
Best regards, Amir
Amir_nahum@walla.co.il
Colin McNulty said,
November 27, 2008 at 7:01 pm
No thanks
Work Update - All change in the New Year said,
December 8, 2008 at 8:40 pm
[...] Commuting down to London on a Monday morning and coming home on a Friday may seem like a drag, but it’s actually not been that bad. Virgin trains run a twice hourly service, which is about to change to a thrice hourly service, taking less than 2 hours Stockport – Euston. I also got a great flat through MondaytoFriday.com which is walking distance to work and of course have benefited from the world class weight lifting coaching at Bethnal Green. [...]
Rich said,
December 15, 2008 at 8:18 pm
So is this like a normal gym in the sense that I can turn up and do my normal routine on my own, or is it primarily a “club” where every session is coached, etc.
I’d like to join for use of the platforms and bumper plates for some power cleans and overhead squats… would be nice to get some coaching for my form if possible, but primarily I’d there to do my own routine if poss.
Cheers!
Rich
Colin McNulty said,
December 15, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Hi Rich,
It’s kind of a mix between the 2. Yes you can do your own thing, but coaches are on hand to help out and give pointers. There is nothing set each day (not like Crossfit) and you are in control of your own programming, but help will be given if asked for. However it’s not a “normal” gym in that you can turn up and be faceless, people there are mostly friendly for a start, so not normal at all!
I simply suggest you turn up one night and try it. BTW term is over so they are on holidays now till next year.
Colin
Rich said,
December 17, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Sounds fantastic Colin. Really looking forward to it. Will be nice to train somewhere where I’m not the “weird barbell exercise guy” anymore…
Cheers
Rich
andy seaber said,
January 18, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Hi Pat and others,
We will be coming to your gym for the Southern’s, where can we park?
Regards
Andy
Bob Bondiman said,
February 22, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I am an American lifter who has been working in London during February 2009 and have had the pleasure of training at the Bethnal Green club. It has a great atmosphere with a number of excellent lifters and coaches. My lifting has improved during my short stay and I would highly recommend this club to anyone who is serious about advancing their Olympic Lifting skills or just learning the sport.
Duswain said,
March 16, 2009 at 7:52 am
Hi Colin, is the gym open weekends? And how much is membership?
KEVIN said,
April 20, 2009 at 12:28 am
Giles has lifted more than any British male ever, are you sure?
Colin McNulty said,
April 20, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Yes and no.
Yes: Giles Greenwood is the current British Record holder in the 105+kg category, i.e. the heaviest.
No: A couple of decades ago, they reset all the British Records because drug testing had got a whole lot better and they wanted to start again, so No, I believe there was a Welshman who has lifted more, but that was before the reset.
Wil Morris said,
July 13, 2009 at 7:40 pm
the Welshman was Andrew Davies who snatch 195kg and secured a silver medal at the World Championships. This makes him the best british lifter since Loius Martin in 1950’s.
On your club times is 8 o’clock the latest you finish. I am working part of the week in London, and looking for somewhere to train.
Harry Smith said,
July 20, 2009 at 11:41 am
I’m moving to London and I’d love to train at an o-club again. From what I’ve read, you have to sign up for different courses to train on multiple evenings? Or have I completely misunderstood?
Also, is the club tied to the academic calendar meaning that it’s closed over the summer?
Colin McNulty said,
July 20, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Hi Harry, yes it’s officially an adult education course, you pay for a 2 hour slot for 1 night a week. So if you want to go on multiple nights, you have to pay twice.
Harry Smith said,
July 21, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Thanks for the reply Colin. From the other website the courses don’t start until the academic year restarts in Sept. Guess I’ll have to wait until then.
Colin McNulty said,
July 21, 2009 at 8:47 pm
No worries Harry. If I were you, I’d rock up one evening between 6-8pm and ask to speak to Giles or Martin. They’ll put you straight. If you join BWLA first and turn up with your membership book, I’m sure they’d let you lift so you don’t have to wait till Sept.
Darren D'Cruz said,
September 25, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Thanks to this webpage I enrolled on a ‘Learning Course’, and enjoyed my first lesson last Monday. Giles instructed us on the clean and snatch, which we learned in ‘baby steps’. We were only lifting a bar with 2.5kg practise weights at each end. We perhaps did 25 sets of 5 reps, in groups of three working together, followed by 5 set of 10 sit-ups, which we were instructed to do as we had completed much back work. This was followed by stretches for the chest and hamstrings; mobility is my weakest key results area, so I’ve been practising these stretches in 3 sets of 40secs (Giles suggested 30secs). On Tuesday I woke up feeling really sore, but after a shower, I felt incredibly strong all over, all day. Total body workout, with instruction from a former International lifter who is giving up his spare time to coach. Highly recommended for beginners (like me) and advanced (chap in our group of three had lifted for Great Britain). Advanced lifters will benefit, as it’s pure fundamentals, coached by an expert. Thank you for posting this web page.
Colin McNulty said,
September 25, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Hi Darren, thanks for your post, it’s nice to know that you’re doing well there. If I ever work back in London, I’ll be back there for sure.
joe said,
October 6, 2009 at 11:16 pm
You are so health conscious I don’t understand why you breathe in the (Caulk Powder)
When you can use Titegrip,com at least while you are getting ready to compete it will stop you’re hands from sweating for hours. Give you’re lungs a break.
Colin McNulty said,
October 7, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Interesting post Joe. Tell you what, send me a few samples and I’ll review it for you and post the review up here. Let me know if you want to go for that and I’ll email you my address.
Colin
Jim Davis said,
December 28, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Colin;
I’m a senior oly lifter and periodically get to London on business. In fact, I’ll be in London 1/9 – 1/11 and 1/15, staying near Trafalgar Square. Would I be able to work out at your facility and if so, what times? Thank you.
jack said,
January 3, 2010 at 12:00 am
Hi, doe’s anyone know any olympic weight lifting clubs in london and kent? i can’t seem to find any on the internet i can only find powerlifting clubs. Thanks Jack.
Allen Ottolangui said,
February 1, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Hi I am trying to get a message to Ivan Otim about the Powerlifting Comp on Sunday the 7th Feb. There will be only one weigh-in at 9am to 10.30am due to amount of lifters, please could you get Martin to confirm this with me my phone number is 01462 675952. Thanks
Best Wishes
Allen
Colin McNulty said,
February 1, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Hi Allen, I haven’t been to Bethnal Green for over a year, I have no way of contacting Martin. Sorry.