Olympic Weightlifting in NYC is slowly expanding

5 years ago Lost Battalion Hall was probably the only place in NYC set up for Olympic Weightlifting in New York City.

In 2011 [and 2012], there’re at least 4 gyms that either specialize in Olympic Weightlifting or have the equipment for it, like bumper plates, a platform, squat stands, chalk, no overly zealous “don’t drop the weight” requirements.

Here’re the NYC gyms:

• South Brooklyn Weightlifting Club
  Specializes in Olympic Weightlifting, Strong Man & Powerlifting. 4 platforms, a cage, at least 5 squat racks, benches, Glute/Ham machine, a punching bag, bumper plates, technique plates, numerous olympic bars, a strongman bar like this one, etc. The gym offers changing booths & a bathroom. They offer drop-in rates, punch cards & monthly rates. They’re located 3 blocks from the Union St subway station on the R train. SBWC offers Open Lifting sessions, classes & private training. Check their site for the latest schedule & directions.
• UPDATE , 04.17.2012: SOHO NYSC has bumper plates now too. A buddy of mine tells me they’re almost never in use since most people have no idea what they’re for. This location has 1 set of each: 10 lbs, 25 lbs, 45 lbs. There are 2 Squat Racks and 1 Cage. Here’re some photos:
  
• UPDATE , 02.02.2012: Brooklyn Heights location for New York Sports Clubs is rumored to have 1 pair of real 45lb bumper plates. Haven’t had a chance to take photos yet. UPDATE , 04.04.2012: They have 1 pair of 45lb bumpers, but they’re kept in the office and you have to ask for them. Why? Because some stupid kids who had no idea what those plates were for managed to brake the first pair.
• UPDATE , 01.23.2012: I recently heard a rumor that NYSC Irving Place has bumper plates starting from 10 lbs (real bumpers, not the hexagonal plates NYSC usually has). Had a chance to confirm, here they are, top floor, New York Sports Club @ 10 Irving Place:
  

• Crossfit South Brooklyn
  Offers Olympic Weightlifting platform rentals for $12/hour or $10/hr if you buy a 10 session card.
  UPDATE , 09.13.2011: CSB no longer offers platform rentals to the general public (with rare exceptions). Reportedly due to liability issues arising from certain folks coming in and trying to Snatch and C&J weights they’re not ready to handle, scaring the coaches half to death.
• Crossfit Virtuosity (Brooklyn Barbell Club)
  Crossfit gym in Williamsburg that also offers instruction and practice space for Olympic Weightlifting, Powerlifting.
• Lost Battalion Hall Weightlifting
  A city gym in a neighborhood called Rego Park in Queens, NY. “You’ll need a mem­ber­ship with the City of New York Parks & Recre­ation rec cen­ters ($100-$150/year, $25/​year for seniors, free for youths), and the weightlift­ing pro­gram requires a $50 pro­gram fee/​year. It’s the best train­ing value in the city.”
• Pure Fitness (Citifitness Health Club)
  A small, easy to miss store front on 14 St. bet. 2nd & 3rd Ave in Manhattan. According to StrongTimes.com, they have 1 platform & an Eleiko bar. Their website markets the place to regular “health club/gym” folks, not specialists.
• Velocity Sports Performance, NYC
  Located in Manhattan. From the photos on their site it looks like they have at least 2 platforms, bumpers.

Outside of Brooklyn & Queens Long Island’s counties are not technically part of the NYC, but if you have a car or time to travel on the LIRR you can get to Garden City, NY and train here:

• Professional Athletic Performance Center
  Olympic Weightlifting platforms, Reverse Hyper machine, etc. These guys offer serious training as well as physical therapy. Their Physical Therapy practice is the official PT provider for the NY Islanders NHL team.