About Us

Mel Nichols, founder of Barbell Strength Weightlifting, has been participating in Olympic lifting for nine years.

Throughout her weightlifting journey she has competed on both a local and national level. When the gym where Mel originally trained closed down, her inspiration to open her own facility was ignited. She missed the community and seized the chance to build her own home for strength training. Mel trained a small group at another gym before steadily moving to bigger workout spaces. After continued growth, Mel took the opportunity to officially establish Barbell Strength Weightlifting in Lawrence, Kansas in October 2022. She now dedicates herself to creating a safe, fun gym environment for the community.

Barbell Strength Weightlifting’s affiliates are a dedicated network of fitness facilities and training centers that share a common passion for the art of weightlifting and strength training. These affiliated gyms and clubs serve as hubs of expertise and camaraderie, where individuals of all fitness levels come together to master the techniques of barbell lifting, improve their physical prowess, and foster a supportive community focused on achieving personal fitness goals. Through a shared commitment to excellence, these affiliates offer a welcoming environment for enthusiasts to pursue their fitness journey and unlock their full strength potential.

• KC Weightlifting: https: //kcweights.com/
• USA Weightlifting: https: //www.usaweightlifting.org/
• University of Kansas Powerlifting Club: https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/kupowerlifting
• ID Life: https://melissanichols.idlife.com/