What Are Classes Like at Atlanta Women's Barbell Club?
By Dena Mellick, Coach, Atlanta Women’s Barbell Club
What are classes like at the Atlanta Women’s Barbell Club?
We aren’t your traditional group class workout. Our first priority and our mission is to teach you how to confidently lift weights and move well using a barbell. A typical class involves the big four barbell lifts: squatting, benching, pressing, and deadlifting. Upon joining, your coach will determine a good starting weight for your lifts and develop an individualized program that will create progress in the long term. Your classmates may be doing the same lifts as you, or they may be doing something different; that’s because each workout is designed for you and your level of experience.
What Happens in Class?
You’ll come to class at your assigned time with your coach. You will set up your rack, grab a barbell, and start warming up on your first lift. Your coach will be there to help you with this set-up initially. Most people can confidently set up on their own after their first or second class. For most people, workouts will start with the squat. Once you get to your first working set – the highest weight of the day – your coach will come by to coach only you and make any necessary adjustments. That’s not to say your coach won’t watch your warm-ups – she’ll be walking around class and checking in with you and your classmates to provide help as needed. Once you have completed all of your squat sets (which will be punctuated with rests in between), you’ll move to your next lift. Classes typically consist of just three lifts, but that may change over time.
How Do I Know What I’m Going to Do?
Every member of the AWBC gets access to an app which has your workout of the day inside. You will have access to the week’s workouts in the app, and they will also be emailed to you the night before. You’ll follow the workout, check your lifts off as you go, and then complete the workout in the app once you’re finished with your lift!
How Do I Know If I’m Making Progress?
The great thing about progressive overload lifting is that you’ll know you’re making progress and getting stronger, because you’ll be able to lift more over time. We have a PR (personal record) board in class to mark and celebrate your lifts as you get stronger over time!
Where Do I Sign Up?
We have a waiting list, but it usually doesn’t take too long to get in! Sign up and let us know what class times you are looking to join!