Mackay’s only Olympic lifting club has moved to new space at Mackay showgrounds

Mackay’s only Olympic weightlifting club has moved to a new space as two masters champions secure state and national records. DETAILS.

Sally Wells, Berserker Barbell Club coach and secretary, is excited about the group's new space. Picture: Janessa Ekert

It’s been a long time coming, but now Mackay’s only Olympic weightlifting club has a space to call their own.

The Berserker Barbell Club, located at Mackay showgrounds, has trained state and national record winning athletes.

And club secretary and coach Sally Wells said, “everyone starts somewhere”.

“We have all sorts of members … our youngest is 12 through to 56 or 57 years old,” she said.

Previously the not-for-profit club had rented space within other gyms.

“This is our first time on our own,” Wells said, adding the club was looking to expand its numbers.

Olympic lifting focuses on two movements – the snatch, clean and jerk – where trained athletes lift immense weights from the ground to above their head.

Berserker Barbell Club masters competitor Alan Slack secured a national record with his 115kg clean and jerk at the recent weightlifting championships on the Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied

“We basically train to compete in those lifts, but we also do a huge variety of other movements like squats … dumbbell work and accessories for strength training as well,” Wells said.

Two of the members – masters competitors Meg Wellby and Alan Slack each recently achieved records at the recent weightlifting championships held on the Gold Coast in June.

Wells said Wellby won her category in all three competitions held during the multi-day event with a 91kg clean and jerk and a 159kg total, both a Queensland record.

Berserker Barbell Club masters competitor Meg Wellby secured a Queensland record with her 91kg clean and jerk and 159kg total score at the recent weightlifting championships on the Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied

Slack came second in his categories but secured a national record with his 115kg clean and jerk, while his 195kg total took out second place.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Wells said.

There were also two junior members preparing for their first state competition where they hope to qualify for the nationals, she said.

Wells became involved in Olympic lifting after she began crossfit and fell in love with the heavy barbells.

She found through Olympic lifting she could focus on heavy weights without with frenetic energy that often went hand-in-hand with a crossfit workout.

Sally Wells, Berserker Barbell Club coach and secretary, is excited about the group's new space. Picture: Janessa Ekert

“The movements themselves are quite fast, but because you don’t do high reps … you get that recovery between each set,” Wells said.

“It’s very focused and technique-based.”

Wells said anyone interested was welcome to come down to the club.

“We all started somewhere and we’re all still learning,” she said.

“We modify everything to suit anyone and everyone. Nothing’s ever too hard and no one’s ever not able to join in and do things.

“We always find a way for every different person and body type.”

Originally published as Mackay’s only Olympic lifting club has moved to new space at Mackay showgrounds