What makes people strong: the weight they lift or the people lifting them up?
Weights crash onto to floor of Fastlane Fitness as lifting belts are tighten and clouds of chalk drift through the air. The MC Barbells are there to train chat and get stronger together.
In weightlifting, everyone has their own weights to lift and training plan to follow. When someone starts to struggle there are people next to them that are ready to encourage and cheer them on. Although weightlifting is mostly an individual sport, it is important to have people around to train with, not only for the company, but for motivation on the good days, as well as the bad.
Loren Harvey has been weightlifting for five years and continues training after moving from Wellington to Hamilton for her studies. The MC Barbells that consisted of mostly women trains multiple times a week to prepare for competitions and improve their technique.
Together they support each other and give each other strength through company and motivating words. “But when you’re able to be in our group, we all succeed together”, Loren explains.
“But when you’re able to be in our group, we all succeed together”,
Loren Harvey
Loren Harvey, member of the MC Barbells prepares for a deadlift before taking a moment to stretch between sets at Fastlane Fitness. Photo by: Emma Willecke.
The group has only been together for a year and is still developing traditions and find their identity. Everyone motivates each other no matter what they are going through. When someone is having a bad day, the group makes sure to either help them feel better or give the person space, while letting them know they have their back whenever needed.
One of Loren’s favourite memories from the sport, as well as the club, came from earlier this year. After a competition Loren qualified for Nationals along with another girl from the team. They all came together to celebrate them both, as well as everyone’s accomplishments over a dinner together.
She says that she likes the more intimate feeling in the Hamilton group and therefore the stronger sense of community. It also allows for more one-on-one feedback with the coach Mike Calver and getting to know the people she trains with on a deeper and more personal level.
“You do get more out of it, whereas my one in Wellington, the coaches were quite thin because they had so many athletes.”
Loren Harvey
While the group continues to grow, they are preparing for a club competition at the end of October and Nationals in December. They continue to work towards their personal goals while building something together: a group in an individual sport where success is shared and milestones and progress are celebrated together.
or more: Read more about the people and communities shaping Hamilton’s local sporting scene.
For more and to read about the people and communities shaping Hamilton’s local sporting scene.
Meet the MC Barbells: Building strength and community at Fastlane Fitness
