Venue
Weightlifting Ireland
Weightlifting Ireland has set out the following standards for approved venues:
If you wish your venue to be chosen, please complete the application form and submit to
[email protected]
Once your venue has been approved you will be eligible to host squad sessions, competitions or
other weightlifting Ireland events up to the level of approval given
Size and general nature of facility
Size:
Floor:
The facility should allow sufficient
space between items of equipment
as per IWF Guidelines, as well as
sufficient ventilation and visibility to
maintain adequate supervision,
safety and manageability for any
weightlifting Ireland events to be
hosted.
The floor surface should be of a
strong resilient
structure. A timber floor is not a
good idea as weight
disks and other resistance training
items will fall to the
floor and damage the surface. Also a
non-slip surface is
important. The facility should not
have any hazards that
might cause a lifter to injure
themselves as they move
within the facility. There should be a
clear entrance area
that is clutter free and the area
should be well lit.
Required rooms such as warm-up,
doping control etc. Are outlined in
the document below.
Please see detailed notes at the end
of this document for full information.
Weightlifting Ireland Events: Venue Application form
Club/venue Name:
Address:
WI Club registration number (if unknown, leave blank):
Phone:
Email:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Squad Sessions
Junior / Youth
5kg Technique Barbells
10kg Technique Barbells
15kg Olympic Barbells
Olympic standard bumpers
0.5kg and 1kg increments
Tier 1 +
Development
15kg Olympic Barbells
20kg Olympic Barbells
Olympic standard bumpers
0.5kg and 1kg increments
Tier 1 +
Womens Senior
15kg IWF Olympic Barbells
15kg Olympic Barbells
Olympic standard bumpers
0.5kg and 1kg increments
Tier 2
Mens Senior
20kg IWF Olympic Barbells
20kg Olympic Barbells
Olympic standard bumpers
0.5kg and 1kg increments
Tier 2
Equipment Checklist - Please tick the relevant boxes below indicating the level of equipment available at your venue
Tier
Participants
Platforms
Safe Area
Changing
Toilets
RAMS
First aid
Bars
Weights
Squat Stands
Optional
Equipment
Tier 1
Suitable for <9 Participants
1 platform x3 participants
(Platforms can be marked out areas)
Minimum 1 meter between bars
Separate male and female changing areas
Toilet Facilities
Written risk assessments // Method statements
First aid facilities / kits fully stocked and maintained
Mens 20kg NON-IWF certified*
No:___
Womens 20kg NON-IWF certified*
No:___
10kg technique bar
No:___
5-6kg technique bar
No:___
25kg Rubber Olympic Bumper Plate
No:____
20kg Rubber Olympic Bumper Plate
No:____
15kg Rubber Olympic Bumper Plate
No:____
10kg Rubber Olympic Bumper Plate
No:____
5kg Olympic Large Plate (450mm)
No:____
2.5kg Olympic Large Plate (450mm)
No:____
5kg Plate
No:____
2.5kg Plate
No:____
2kg Plate
No:____
1.5kg Plate
No:____
1kg Plate
No:____
0.5kg Plate
No:____
Spring Colllar / Clip Collars (Pairs)
No:____
1x Squat Stands per platform, Min 150kg Capacity
1x Jerk Block set or equivalent
Brush Handles
Plyo Boxes

Tier 2
Suitable for >10 Participants
1 platform x3 participants
Platforms must be raised weightlifting platforms
Min 1 Meter between Platforms
Separate male and female changing areas
Toilet Facilities
Written risk assessments // Method statements
First aid facilities / kits fully stocked and maintained
Mens 20kg IWF certified
No:___
Womens 20kg IWF certified
No:___
Mens 20kg NON-IWF certified*
No:___
Womens 20kg NON-IWF certified*
No:___
25kg Rubber Olympic Bumper Plate
No:____
20kg Rubber Olympic Bumper Plate
No:____
15kg Rubber Olympic Bumper Plate
No:____
10kg Rubber Olympic Bumper Plate
No:____
5kg Olympic Large Plate (450mm)
No:____
2.5kg Olympic Large Plate (450mm)
No:____
5kg Plate
No:____
2.5kg Plate
No:____
2kg Plate
No:____
1.5kg Plate
No:____
1kg Plate
No:____
0.5kg Plate
No:____
Spring Colllar / Clip Collars (Pairs)
No:____
1x Squat Stands per platform, Min 250kg Capacity
1x Jerk Block set or equivalent
Brush Handles
Plyo Boxes

Competitions
NOTE: ALL facilities applying to host senior/national competitions must meet the minimum of Tier
2 standards, extra equipment such as bars and weights can be brought to venues, but those with
sufficient resources to meet all Tier 2 requirements will have priority
 Small
 Medium
 Large
 International
Number
<20
Participants
21-45
Participants
>45
Participants
>45 Participants
Disability
access (IFI)
Doping
Control
Weigh in
Room
Required
Required
Required
Required
1 Room with
toilet access
2 Rooms
1 Room with
toilet access
2 Rooms
1 Room with
toilet access
2 Rooms
Warmup
Area
Competition
Area
3 Platforms
5 Platforms
6 Platforms
1 Room with
toilet access
2 Separate
Dedicated
Rooms
8 Platforms
4x4 Meter
Platform
3x Referee
Tables
Appropriate
distance
N/A
4x4 Meter
Platform
3x Referee
Tables
Appropriate
distance
N/A
4x4 Meter
Platform
3x Referee
Tables
Appropriate
distance
Recommended
Viewing
Gallery
Scoreboard
(warmup area)
Scoreboard
(Comp. area)
Capacity for
PA available in
comp and
warmup areas
2m from
referees
Scoreboard
(warmup area)
Scoreboard
(Comp. area)
Capacity for
PA available in
comp and
warmup areas
2m from
referees
Scoreboard
(warmup area)
Scoreboard
(Comp. area)
Capacity for
PA available in
comp and
warmup areas
2m from
referees
1st Aid Room
Required
Required
Required
4x4 Meter
Platform
3x Referee
Tables
- 4m from
Platform
5 Person Jury
Table, Max 10M
from platform
Scoreboard
(warmup area)
Scoreboard
(Comp. area)
Capacity for PA
available in
comp and
warmup areas
Seated and
staged seating
area
Required
Athlete Rest
area
Competition
management
offices
NA
NA
Recommended
Required
NA
NA
Recommended
Required
Meeting
Room
Offices
NA
NA
NA
Required
NA
NA
NA
Required
Referees
Jury
Displays
PA System
Weightlifting Ireland
Press Centre
Sauna
TO’s Room
Training
Area
VIP Room
Special
Regulations
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Recommended
Recommended
NA
Required
Required
Required
Required
NA
NA
NA
Required
IWF competition
Specific
Requirements
The above table notes the space requirements / permanent fixture requirements for running of a
Weightlifting Ireland competition.
For a full list of competition equipment required for the event day and process of preparing your
venue for a competition, please see the competition guidelines available on
www.weightliftingireland.com
Weightlifting Ireland
Size and Layout Guidelines
Access
-
The room should have clear unobstructed doors and pathways both inside and out and
meet all specifications. Doorways should be a minimum of 1m wide, with hallways and
circulation passages a minimum of 1.5m wide.
-
All thresholds should be flush, if not, any change greater than a 1.5cm must have a ramp or
lift. The ramp should have a slope of 0.5m ft for every 2.5cm of elevation. Mechanical lifts or
elevators may be used for an alternative to a ramp.
-
All exits must be clearly marked and visible from any location within the facility.
-
Signage for the visually impaired is also required.
-
Exits must never be obstructed.
Ceiling height
-
Ceiling height should be a minimum of 3.5-4m; this would include other items such as
lighting, pipes, fans, and signage. This is especially true in areas where platforms are being
utilised and overhead lifts are performed.
Flooring
-
Should be treated with antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial agents.
-
Rubber is more expensive to use but is much better for shock absorption, durability, and
better for free-weight dominant rooms.
-
A poured rubber floor is the most expensive option. However, a poured rubber floor is much
better when it comes to durability, spills, appearance (no interlocking seems), and can be
used for plyometrics as well.
Lighting
-
A weight room should be lit to 806 – 1,076 lux, and at least 538 lux at floor level.
-
Up lighting will reduce glare but is not the best choice for weight rooms.
Weightlifting Ireland
Windows
-
Windows should be located a minimum of 0.5m. above the floor to protect from rolling bars
and plates that could break them.
-
The floor plan should not have the spotters or lifters come in contact with, or come in close
proximity to, the windows for safety purposes.
-
High windows or skylights can be used but should be positioned to avoid any potential glare.
-
Supine exercises should not be placed under this natural lighting as well.
-
Windows help with natural light, ventilation, and observation within the facility.
Temperature
-
The recommended temperature for a facility is anywhere between 20 – 25 °C, (20 – 22 °C for
summer months and 20 – 25 °C for winter months). Zone heating is recommended due to its
ability to regulate temperatures based on the number of athletes in the room at any one
time.
-
Try to maintain a constant temperature since frequent fluctuations can potentially cause
increases in humidity and condensation. This could cause damage to equipment such as rust,
damp floors, or safety concerns for athletes where plates can easily slip off a bar (spring
collars or similar are required for all free-weight exercises).
Humidity
-
The humidity levels should be less than 60%. Dehumidifiers may be used as long as they
have proper drainage to avoid water damage.
Sound levels
-
Music is often used as a motivator while working out. The sound should never exceed 90dB
at anytime. However, it should be low enough to allow verbal communication at all times
from the staff anywhere in the room and speakers should be placed to allow for even sound
distribution. The music should only be controlled by the coaches or authorised individuals.
Weightlifting Ireland
Electrical
-
Grounded outlets must be used at all times throughout the room and plenty of outlets
should be installed to accommodate all electronic training equipment as well as cleaning
services and possible A/V apparatus (e.g., filming, repair, computers, etc.).
Signage
-
Signs are useful in helping clients understand emergency procedures, operational policies,
rules, and safety guidelines and should be clearly posted in numerous locations throughout
the room.
-
Bulletin boards are also commonly used for communication and announcements. Record
boards could be located in the same area.
-
Policies and procedures outlining the proper guidelines should be effectively and clearly
communicated with athletes to protect both coaches and athletes.
Other considerations
-
Mirrors are useful in allowing coaches to better monitor the room for safety purposes.
-
Mirrors should be placed at least 0. 5m. above the floor so that rolling bars and plates
cannot break them. Any broken mirrors should be replaced immediately. Standard mirror
sizes are 4ft x 8ft or 5ft x 10ft however, mirrors can be cut to fit as needed.
-
Drinking fountains or alternative free hydration solutions such as water coolers should be
placed throughout the facility with easy access.
-
Restrooms for both males and females should be clearly marked and located close to the
weight room or in the entrance of the weight room.