Classical Barbell
Classical Barbell was created to be a calm and welcoming third place for a community of Olympic weightlifters and people who strength train.
No thumping music, no flashing lights, no screaming instructors in headsets. Just an unintimidating but focused atmosphere, with classical music. Train alongside like-minded people and concentrate on lifting heavy weights with great technique.
Head Coach: Daphne Harvey
Daphne is a Level 2 Olympic Weightlifting Coach and a Technical Official licensed with British Weight Lifting, with over a decade’s experience of coaching. She referees and officiates at national competitions. Daphne is also a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer, Level 1 Powerlifting Coach, and an accredited UK Anti-Doping Advisor. She coached at Hackney Weight Lifting Club for 8 years before leaving to found Classical Barbell in 2024.
As a weightlifter Daphne competes nationally and internationally at Masters level.
She trains people of all abilities in Olympic weightlifting and strength training, from complete beginners to national-standard competitive lifters, athletes from other sports, Turf Games champions and many personal trainers. She has a special interest in fixing technical problems and in getting women into strength training.
Daphne was educated at Oxford (where she was not allowed to join the University weightlifting club on account of being female) and King’s College London. She worked as a classical singer, then in the not-for-profit sector before finding her calling as a full-time weightlifting coach.
Coach: James Richens
James is a Level 2 Olympic Weightlifting Coach and a Technical Official licensed with British Weight Lifting. He competes and officiates regularly in local events and recently took part in the British Masters Championships. His ambition is to compete in the European and World Masters Championships.
Daphne taught James how to lift after he tried one of her strength training classes and became interested in Olympic weightlifting. James is also a Masters club swimmer and has competed in numerous cycling sportives, triathlons and cross-country running races.
James supports Classical Barbell by helping people of all ages and backgrounds learn Olympic weightlifting and improve their health and resilience through strength training. When he’s not lifting or coaching, he works on environmental issues as a writer and editor.
“I highly recommend Daphne... She creates a friendly non-judgmental atmosphere where lifters of all levels of experience are welcome.
I have had chronic back pain for six years and lifting has done a huge amount for my core, my pelvic floor, and my strength overall, as well as my pain levels. Thank you Daphne! ”