Kinesiology junior and Olympic style lifter Aaron Naccarato looked forward to the reopening of Half-Acre, especially upon learning the renovated gym would have Olympic plates and platforms, but his excitement soon turned to disappointment when he discovered full Olympic lifts would not be permitted.
Inspired by the ban on full Olympic lifts, Naccarato wrote a petition on the student issue website Wyovocal.
“My issue with the current policy at Half Acre Gym is that they are unknowledgeable about how lifting works and how the equipment should be used as they will not allow weights to be dropped that are designed specifically for that reason,” Naccarato said.
Naccarato’s proposal reads, “Policies need to be changed within Half Acre Gym so that all students can get the most out of the equipment.”
His proposal also details a plan for the development of an Olympic weightlifting club to instruct patrons on proper lifting form and technique.
Perspectives on Olympic lifting among lifters vary. Knute Ortiz, a regular lifter and systems programmer for the College of Engineering, said he thinks full Olympic lifts should be allowed, but he recognizes the inherent dangers of the activity.
“The university always tries to be conscious of safety, and they have to strike a balance between allowing Olympic style lifting and safety,” Ortiz said. “There’s a lot of technique involved.”
Evan Giusto, a junior studying finance, said he would enjoy being able to practice full Olympic lifts, and said the risks presented by the Olympic style of lifting are no different than currently allowed activities.
“I don’t understand why we have Olympic plates if we’re not allowed to use it (sic),” Giusto said. “There’s potential for danger in any part of the gym.
Half Acre staff member TJ Hill said the gym’s staff is sympathetic to Olympic lifters, but they have to work toward safety for the average gym user.
“At the recreation center, we’re more focused on the general clientele rather than the specific niche of weightlifting,” Hill said.
Hill also said that while there are a significant number of lifters capable of doing Olympic lifts, Half Acre is concerned novices may try to emulate more seasoned practitioners and hurt themselves, and runaway equipment could damage others in the area. He also said Half Acre is not designed with the space necessary to safely complete Olympic lifts.
“Our recreation center has been very generous in allowing us to have full power cleans and being allowed to drop from waist height,” Hill said. “That is virtually unseen for our region.”
Hill said he would like to see Naccarato’s power-lifting club form, but added that he did not know if such a club could function under Half Acre’s policies, which all registered student organizations must follow.
“We’re not saying that Olympic lifting is bad,” Hill said. “What we are saying is that it is dangerous to offer it with the clientele that we have.”
Aaron Naccarato, student and power lifter says he’s disappointed that despite having Olympic lifting equipment available they are not allowed. The issue is currently in deliberation on WyoVocal.
