If you want to bring the Barbell Club to your school, see our Program Requirements.

At a minimum we require 2 months’ lead time, but would prefer an entire semester. This allows us to determine the school's overall needs to execute the program successfully and get the appropriate volunteers recruited.

We need at least one faculty member to be our point of contact. Traditionally, this is the Athletic Director and/or Community Coordinator, but we also feel that a relationship with the school’s guidance counselor or social worker is a key component for the work we do. To meet our minimum requirements, we also ask for use of the school’s weight room twice a week. If a weight room is not available, we work with the school to arrange for a secure area that would allow us to bring in our own equipment (see below).

Yes, ideally the program takes place in the weight room. In the event that is not an option, we are open to exploring other solutions. For example, some schools have an unused space where RBI funds and builds out a workout space for the program.

Currently the program is roughly $150 per student. This includes BBC t-shirt, BBC sweatshirt, journal and healthy snacks for each participant. We value breaking down barriers to entry, creating community and building healthy nutrition choices, which is why Raise the Bar Initiative covers 100% of these costs.

The $150 participation fee does not include start-up costs like supplies for coaches and equipment for the school. We know this can vary greatly from school to school. Costs start at $400 and can increase based on amount and type of equipment needed.

If your school is able to provide funding, it allows us to help more students/schools. However, if there is no funding RBI will attempt to cover the entire cost of the program if our budget allows. We are happy to work with you to find a solution.

This program is welcome to any student who identities as a girl/woman, regardless of athletic ability. We give them the skills they need to strength train safely and effectively while giving them a safe space to develop friendships and community.

Currently this program is 100% run by volunteers. Each school has a Head Coach that must complete our Coaching Certification prior to training students. Coaches are also required to be CPR Certified.

We run background checks on all Coaches and volunteers, as well as required them to be Mandatory Reporter Certified. Additional support is provided by Assistant Coaches. It is important to us that there are no more than five students to a coach so everyone can receive adequate attention.

All Barbell Club volunteers are required to complete Mandatory Reporter Training.