Olympic Weightlifting for Everyone
Our USA Weightlifting certified coaches provide instruction for beginner through advanced Olympic Weightlifters in a fun, disciplined, and friendly community. Gain strength, build explosive power and increase confidence.
Founded in 2013, Barbarian Barbell is the premier Olympic Weightlifting gym in Los Angeles, California. Our remote team is quickly growing, with athletes spread from coast to coast and internationally. For our athletes in Los Angeles, we offer in-person training as well as 24/7 access to current members at our 3000sqft facility in Van Nuys.
Our team of coaches have experience developing hundreds of athletes, from those learning the snatch and clean & jerk for the first time, to national and international medalists at the Senior, Junior, Youth and Master level. We believe in fostering a friendly and supportive environment where lifters of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, religions, disabilities, abilities, and sexual orientations can thrive and reach their full potential.
Join us at Barbarian Barbell and find out why we’re known as one of the friendliest weightlifting gyms in the country!
Who We Are
Why Choose Barbarian Barbell
USAW Certified Coaches
Our coach-led sessions empower you to reach your weightlifting potential through individualized instruction and feedback, unlimited in-depth video analysis, and regular check-ins in- person or via zoom.
Community
Train with a team. Our culture is more than just lifting weights; it’s about supporting each other, pushing limits, and creating a home away from home. We offer a group atmosphere that motivates, supports, and celebrates success.
Programming
We provide training programs tailored for you. Volume, intensity, time, training days, and movement progression built around your wants, needs, and goals as an athlete. Competitive and non-competitive programs with an opportunity to compete at any age and any level.
Our 3-Step Getting Started Guide
#1 TEXT US OR SEND US A MESSAGE
Text or Message- Let us know you’re interested by messaging us and we’ll respond as soon as possible so that we can get to know you and what you’re looking for. You can ask us any questions you may have regarding pricing, programs, etc. Text: 818-208-4209
#2 SET UP A TOUR / FREE WORKOUT
Come in for an appointment to tour the gym and ask us any other questions you may have. Get a free workout during any of our small group weightlifting classes before you commit.
#3 CHOOSE THE PROGRAM FOR YOU
We have several options to choose from including beginner sessions to learn the lifts, occasional sessions to improve technique, youth / college athlete sessions to improve sport performance, 24/7 open gym access, or competitor and non-competitor programs.
Schedule & Classes
DAY OF WEEK
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Small Group Weightlifting: 12pm-1:30pm & 4pm-8:30pm
Youth Weightlifting: 4:30pm-5:30pm
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Small Group Weightlifting: 5:30pm-7pm
Technique Session: 7pm-7:45pm & 7:45pm-8:30pm
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Small Group Weightlifting: 12pm-1:30pm & 4pm-8:30pm
Youth Weightlifting: 4:30pm-5:30pm
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Technique Session: 4pm-4:45pm & 4:45pm-5:30pm
Small Group Weightlifting: 5:30pm-7pm
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Small Group Weightlifting: 12pm-1:30pm & 5:30pm-7pm
Youth Weightlifting: 4:30pm-5:30pm
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Technique Session: 9:45am-10:30am
Small Group Weightlifting: 10:30am-12:30pm
CLASS TYPES
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Our experienced USA Weightlifting certified coaches are on the floor providing feedback to help improve your technique and efficiency of the snatch, clean & jerk, and accessory movements while you complete your training program. The classes are generally between 10-15 people and includes individualized programming for athletes of all levels, unlimited video review and feedback (if you can’t come during small group training hours), monthly check-ins with your primary coach, and competition coaching at all local and national events that Barbarian Barbell is attending. Private training sessions over Zoom or in-person may be purchased at a discounted rate.
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This is for athletes who are not able to train in person and includes individualized programming for athletes of all levels, unlimited video review and feedback, drop-ins at our facility up to 4x per month, monthly check-ins with your primary coach, and competition coaching at all local and national events that Barbarian Barbell is attending. Private training sessions over Zoom or in-person may be purchased at a discounted rate.
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Our youth weightlifting class will help your children learn proper weightlifting technique in the Olympic lifts and accessory movements, enhance athletic performance, improve confidence and self-esteem, and lower risk of injury. This program is for ages 8-14 years old. Sign-up here.
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If you do not have any previous experience with the Olympic lifts, this course will teach you the fundamentals of Olympic Weightlifting (i.e., the snatch, clean, and jerk) through three 1-on-1 lessons. Sign-up here.
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These semi-private 45-minute sessions are limited to 3 people and are included in your in-house training membership; you will work with a coach on a specific technical aspect of a lift that you would like to improve on. You do not have to be a member to attend these technique sessions. Text us for package options.
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We offer 1-on-1 and 1-on-2 sessions to help improve your technique in the Olympic lifts. These sessions are 45 minutes long and tailored to your individual strengths and weaknesses.
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This membership is for unlimited access to the facility and equipment 24/7/365 (no access during small group weightlifting). You must have prior weightlifting experience to sign-up. Sign-up here.
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Coaches
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Owner & Head Coach
USA Weightlifting National Coach
Emmy began weightlifting under the tutelage of Bob Takano in 1996 to help improve her performance in track & field where she was a scholarship athlete (shot put & discus). She quickly developed a love for the sport and began competing. In 1999, she earned a spot as a Resident Athlete at the Olympic Training Center and trained under Lyn Jones and Bob “No Mercy” Morris. She was then part of the inaugural weightlifting class at Northern Michigan University and trained under Lisa Brien and Ma Jianping.
Emmy competed on Team USA for eleven years and served on the USA Weightlifting Board of Directors as the United States Olympic Committee Athlete Advisory Council Representative for 8 years (2008-2016). Since her retirement as an athlete in 2008, Emmy’s coaching career includes leading dozens of athletes to national competitions, 6 to international competitions, and earning over 100 national and international medals.
Competition Highlights
3X Olympic Team Trials Participant
Pan Am Games Silver Medalist
World Championship Team Member
2X University World Championships Silver Medalist
Pan Am Championships Multiple Gold, Silver & Bronze Medalist
U.S. National Championships Multiple Gold, Silver & Bronze Medalist
American Open Championships Multiple Gold, Silver & Bronze Medalist
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Operations Manager & Coach
USA Weightlifting Level 2 Coach
Kristin was introduced to the Olympic lifts through Crossfit in 2013 which she joined to “lose the baby weight” 6 weeks after the birth of her second son. She grew up a competitive dancer and acrobat at the Dance Slipper in Western Massachusetts, ranking in the top 20 female teen dancers nationally. She also taught dance to children ages 3-13 at her studio for over 5 years. After high school, she went to the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was a member of the top 5 nationally ranked UMass Dance Team. She also played numerous sports growing up including soccer, basketball, field hockey, and track & field.
With her background in dance, Kristin was immediately drawn to the technical nature of the Olympic lifts and began exclusively weightlifting with Barbarian Barbell in 2016. She has competed at the national and international level as a Masters Athlete for the past 8 years. For the past 5 years, Kristin has been coaching and programming for dozens of athletes from beginners to national level athletes.
Competition Highlights
Masters World Champion
American Masters Champion, Best Lifter, & C&J Record Holder
Masters World Cup Champion
Masters Pan Ams Silver Medalist
Masters Worlds Bronze Medalist
American Open Finals Multiple Gold & Silver Medalist
Masters Nationals Multiple Silver & Bronze Medalist
American Open Series Gold Medalist
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Youth Weightlifting Coach
USA Level 1 Coach
Bio coming son
Trusted and Loved by Many Angeleno’s
Ready to Get Strong?
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