Summary of Courses

BWLA offers a range, at various levels of difficulty. Some are infrequent, so enquirers are put on a wait list. They are marked ** below.

The most popular course was the Leader award. It is now replaced by the Introduction to Resistance Training award.

BWLA Intro. to Resistance Training
Two day. £250.00. A National Governing Body (NGB) of Sport award, recognised by UK Sport and Sport England etc.. It is accepted by the Register of Exercise Professionals as earning 16 Continuing Professional Development points for those holding a Level II in Sport or Recreation coaching, and who are 18 or older. Other candidates will be secure in having an award of the NGB, and therefore from the body most experienced in the field of resistance training of all kinds.
Younger candidates may take the course, which covers machines and free weights.


We have two new courses:

BWLA Weightlifting for Sport award,Part I **
Two days. Price £250. This does not involve machines, and covers exercises involving explosive movements and rotation, that is mainly the Olympic lifts and related movements. This is now considered to be vital in the context of most sports. It has been developed following a series of courses designed for and with the FA, and based on input from athletics, paddling and rugby. Candidates will be examined on their ability competently to demonstrate Olympic lifting skills with light weights.

BWLA Weightlifting for Sport Instructor award, Part II**
Two days. Price £250.. Candidates will learn sufficient about weight training for strength and basic balanced development of the musculature safely to teach the skills to others. Candidates will be examined on their ability to show competence, safety and knowledge in presenting and teaching basic strength exercises. The two parts are certified independently for successful candidates. Please note that the title Weightlifting for Sport Instructor will not be issued until Parts I and II have been satisfactorily completed.


We also offer:

Weightlifting Instructor award**
Four days. This one is currently in process of being aligned to the Sportscoach UK level 2 coaching award and will then be recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. It is targeted at Olympic Weightlifters and demands practical skills in the Snatch and Clean & Jerk, a practical and written exam and a project. It will, when aligned, include a home study and coaching diary which must include coaching weightlifting. It is not suitable for those who are not involved in competitive Weightlifting


INSETs for Schoolteachers
These are one day courses which offer a National Governing Body Certificate. They are run in schools. The content is tailored to the demands of the school or a group of schools, and in some authorities the content is agreed by the PE Adviser or CPD department of the area’s education team.


Beyond these we have higher coaching awards for aspiring Weightlifting (Snatch plus Clean & Jerk) coaches.

We also offer bespoke courses for particular sports. For these we model the courses according to the requirements of the particular sport’s National Governing Body.

Initial enquiries to Brian Hamill: brianhamill59@googlemail.com
Please mention this blog when doing so.

Intro to Resistance Training Course

A few words from Jim McMahon:

I will be running a Intro to Resistance Training level 1 course on the 14/15th of November. The course will take place in Colchester Essex at Hamilton's gym - a well respected venue amongst the resistance training fraternity. The course will be over a weekend period and will be from 0900 - 1700 each day. The Level 1 course is Reps accredited for those with a Level 2 qualification in fitness and acts as 16 Cpd points.

Any information or help that you require please do not hesitate to contact me. If interested can you please show your interest by e-mailing me your name address and contact phone number. There is a cut off date for applications so please make sure all applications are received before the cut off date. This is an excellent course for gaining knowledge and practical experience of resistance training through the use of machines and free weights and can be applied to help you assist at any level.

This course does not include Olympic weightlifting, nor Powerlifting but does cover free weights and machines

Venue and address: Hamiltons Fitness Centre, Telford Way, Colchester, CO4 9QP

All enquiries to:

James McMahon1@btinternet.com

9 Kings Farm Meadow Tillingham Essex CM0 7GY. 01621 778 317

Strength, Speed and Suppleness

The specialists in Strength, Speed and Suppleness: the three POWER components

The Power House at Woking Leisure Centre is one of just 3 high performance, open to all, free-weight training facilities in the South of England. It hosts the Centre of Excellence club, Britain’s best All Round lifting club.

As more sports people, functional fitness fanatics and Olympic hopefuls recognize the value of multi-joint free weight exercises so Power House increases in popularity. The latest trend is for Personal Trainers from the national gym chains to come to us in order to be able to teach our techniques to the sports people who consult them.

It works! Current members include the coach of Guildford’s American Football team; Ellie Spain, now weightlifting but formerly Britain’s best Pole Vaulter; Chris Chea, British Weightlifting and All Round lifting champion; and Georgia Peel, at 15 holder of the British under 20 1500m record. Various Olympians and internationals from many events have passed through our hands over the years, like: Olympic runner Hayley Parry; hurdle medalist David Jenkins; British Lion Will Green; World Champion paired lightweight sculler Beryl Mitchell.

The club is run by volunteers but the coaches are: professional in their know-how and care for the members; qualified and insured; CRB screened. All age groups are welcome & currently we range from 11 to 76. Chief coach, Brian Hamill is still in shape at 72!

The first visit is free though there is a spectator fee to get into the Leisure Centre. Annual subs vary from £16 to £77.

Are you serious about strength, speed and suppleness?