Barbells Not Bans 2025 FAQ

General Information 

Who is Richmond Strong?

Richmond Strong is a non-profit foundation bringing together the strength community of Richmond. We host fundraising events for Virginia-based social justice organizations as well as host clinics for all interested in getting into strength sports. Richmond Strong is composed of local volunteers dedicated to creating safe and affirming strength sport spaces for queer, trans, intersex, gender expansive, gender queer, and non-binary athletes. 

What is Barbells Not Bans?

Barbells Not Bans is a very queer annual deadlift fundraiser and competition raising money for two Virginia-based LGBTQIA+ organizations working towards a Virginia for all. Proceeds raised go directly to our beneficiary organizations. This year Barbells Not Bans is proud to raise money for Pride Liberation Project,  Equality Virginia, He She Ze and We’s Trans Wellness Fund, and Richmond Reproductive Freedom Fund. Follow us on social media (@richmond_strong) to learn more about both organizations and ways you can support them!

Where and when is Barbells Not Bans? 

Location: The Weight Room 

    3413 Carlton St., Richmond VA, 23230 

Date: Sunday, June 22

Event Time: 10AM - 4PM

What is the schedule for the AM and PM session? 

AM Session Participants:

• 9:00AM: AM Session Participants Arrival

• 10:00 AM: Welcoming Announcement/ Rules Briefing

• 10:15 AM: First flight warms up + Hilary Buff Performs

• 10:30 AM: AM session begins to lift

• 12:15PM: AM session ends

PM Session Participants:

• 11:00AM: PM Session Participants Arrival

• 12:30PM: Welcoming Announcement/ Rules Briefing

• 12:45 PM: First flight warm up + Melanin Monroe Performs

• 1:00PM: PM session begins to lift

• 3:00PM: PM session ends

  When should I arrive?

AM session participants must arrive at 9:00AM for check in. PM session participants must arrive at 11:00AM for check in. 

AM session spectators may arrive anytime between 9:00AM and 12:00PM. PM session spectators may arrive anytime between 11AM and 3PM. 

Will there be spectator tickets at the door?

TO BE DETERMINED

Will you have my tickets at check in?

Yes. We will have two check in lines at Barbells Not Bans. One line for spectators and one line for participants and coaches. When you arrive, our volunteers will check you in by name. Please provide our volunteers with the name you used to purchase the tickets. 

Are participants and spectators able to stay for the full event?

Due to the size of the event, we kindly ask that spectators who purchased an AM or PM-only ticket please only attend that session. Spectators who don’t know if they have an AM or PM-only ticket, we still ask that you please only attend the session the person you are attending for is lifting in. Participants and coaches with athletes in both sessions may stay for the full event.

Who are the session emcees? 

We are honored to have RVA drag queen superstars Hilary Buff emcee the AM session and Melanin Monroe emcee the PM session. Both will be performing at the beginning of each session, so please bring cash to tip your lovely emcees. We will also have their CashApp and Venmo information available. 

Will there be a livestream of the event?

No, not this year. Sorry, y’all!

Will there be a photographer at the event?

Yes. We will share photographers once confirmed, but they will be there! We will share a link with participants to access photos after the event. 

Who are the Barbells Not Bans sponsors?

We are so glad you asked! This year, Barbells Not Bans is sponsored by:

• Black Rabbit Tattoo

• Moore Than Fitness

• Spur Pond Marketing

• Mother&

• Row House RVA

• ReEnvision Physical Therapy

• Embrave Physical Therapy

• Inman Strength Systems

• TWR Massage Therapy

• TIKVAH Collaborative Practices 

• Transformations Counseling & Psychological Services

• Headquarters RVA

Facility Information

How many bathrooms and changing rooms are on site?

There are 3 gender neutral single-stall bathrooms and one gender neutral multi-stall bathroom on site. The gym does NOT have a locker room. It does have shelving in the main gym space to store your items on.

Are there accessible entrances? 

Yes. The facility's main entrance is accessible. If you or someone you know is attending the event and has an accommodation need, please email us at info@richmondstrong.org. 

Will there be seating for participants and spectators?

Yes, we have 100 chairs as well as benches and other seating arrangements available. Participants and spectators are welcome to sit on the floor or stand in designated areas as well. 

Does the facility have air conditioning? 

Yes, the gym does have some AC. However, the gym is a warehouse and only has one AC unit for the entire space. That means the AC will help cool the gym down and address humidity issues, but it could still run warm in the gym.

The gym does have A LOT of fans throughout the space that we will run in the event space to help with air flow. Richmond Strong will also have handheld electric and manual fans for use, water, gatorade, and ice packs on hand for those who need it. Please be aware of the heat though and take whatever precautions you need to stay safe!

May I bring my own food and beverages to The Weight Room?

Yes, you may bring your own food and beverages. We kindly ask that you make sure to dispose of your garbage in the designated trash bins around the facility. No messes, please! 

Will there be food vendors at the event?

No, not this year. However, we are in Scott's Addition which means plenty of restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops are walking or a short driving distance from the gym. Below are a few options:

1. Grit Coffee: Open Sunday 7AM - 5 PM

2. Afterglow Coffee: Open Sunday 8AM - 6PM

3. Lunch! Super!: Open Sunday 10AM - 9PM

4. Brambly Parky: Open Sunday 11AM -9 PM (across the street from Barbells Not Bans!)

5. Nokobiri: Open Sunday 11AM - 8PM (Located inside Veil Brewing)

6. Pinky’s: Open Sunday 11AM - 10PM

7. Vasen Brewing: Open Sunday 12PM - 8PM

Is there a parking lot on site?

Yes. There is plenty of street parking and a parking lot you may use. However, it will be a Sunday in Scott’s Addition (which means brunch crowd), so we expect it to impact parking availability. We recommend carpooling with family, friends, and fans where possible!

Barbells Not Bans Rules 

What can I wear?

Whatever you’re comfortable wearing! More rainbows, pride and affinity flags, and glitter the better. We’ve had folks wear it all from competing in a traditional singlet to an inflatable unicorn costume. Our only requirements are shoes on the platform (and in the venue), knee-high socks to cover your shins, and no wrist wraps (unless you request an accommodation).

What is the process?

The athlete is to approach the platform once the command, “THE PLATFORM IS READY!” has been called. There is no start command. They will begin the attempt by taking their grip of the bar and lifting the bar to full extension of the knees, hips and locked shoulders (all to the best their mobility allows.) You have one minute to complete your attempt. 

The athlete is to remain motionless at full extension and wait for the head judge to call, “DOWN!” The athlete will then lower the bar to the floor, maintaining control of the bar with a grip of both hands.

Will “bad lifts” be called by the head judge?

Y’all, this is a fundraising event with the purpose of having a queer ol’ time via pulling heavy weights and sharing space with other queer and trans strength sport athletes. This is not a traditional meet with strict enforcement of traditional rules dictating a “good” or “bad” lift. Just go out there and have fun.

Is there a warm up area for participants and coaches?

Yes. There is a designated warm up area that only participants, coaches, and volunteers may access during the event. We will provide deadlift bars and kilogram plates as well.

What barbell and weights will participants use?

We will use a Texas Deadlift Bar (20kg) and Rogue USA Plates (in lbs).