SASS
Strong Ass Strength Squad. Strongman-inspired, all levels, fully inclusive. It doesn't matter whether you've never picked up a weight before.
About SASSThe hardest rep
is the one through the door.
Come in
Southwick · Sunderland
Strong looks
like everyone.
We're a community interest company built for people who've never felt at home in a mainstream gym. Olympic weightlifting, strongman-inspired strength sessions and youth squads. Whatever your race, gender, ability or experience.
- British Weightlifting affiliated
- Not-for-profit CIC
- No experience needed
0British Masters titles
0European Masters titles
0BWL accredited talent academy in Sunderland
0Qualified, licensed coaches
More than the barbell
Life at the club
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End of every month
Curiosity Café
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Under 12s and teens
The youth squad
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If you want it
Competition day
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Not everything is heavy
Rest and recovery
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Cups & Cakes
The community kitchen
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Recorded at the club
The Social Bar podcast
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Coaching the coaches
Workshops and learning
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Where the club goes
Out in the community
What's on
Find the session that fits you
Sessions for every age, from a first barbell to a competition platform, and a quiet room for when the gym is too much.
Olympic weightlifting
Sunderland's only British Weightlifting affiliated club. Learn from licensed coaches, and compete if you want to.
Learn the sportYouth & community
Junior squads, a teens drop-in, a sensory room, and Cups & Cakes for parents and carers in the SEND community.
See what's onHead coach & founder
Zoe started
lifting late.
Then she won.
Zoe came to weightlifting later in life as a personal pursuit of strength and self-improvement, and built Weights & Cakes so nobody else has to walk into a gym feeling like they don't belong.
- 5× British Masters
- 2× European Masters
- 4th · Worlds
Common questions
Asked before every first session
Straight answers to the things people message us about.
Is there a weightlifting gym in Sunderland?
Weights & Cakes is a community barbell club on The Kings Road in Southwick, Sunderland SR5 2JD. It’s Sunderland’s only British Weightlifting accredited talent academy, running coached Olympic weightlifting for adults and juniors, strongman-inspired strength sessions and personal training. Membership starts at £28 a month and the first session is free.
Can I start with no experience?
Yes. Every session is coached by a qualified British Weightlifting coach, and most members arrive having never touched a barbell. SASS is built specifically for any level of fitness. You don’t need kit, a certain body type, or any prior training to start.
How much does it cost?
From £28 a month for one coached session a week, up to £55 a month for the Performance plan of three coached plus two supervised sessions. No joining fee, 30 days notice to cancel, and the first session is free whether or not you go on to join. See all four plans.
Do you do weightlifting for kids?
Yes. Wearside Weightlifting runs U12s and teens squads on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings, plus a Competition Squad. A parent or guardian registers the young person. Every coach is DBS checked and safeguarding trained. See the times.
What if I find gyms intimidating?
That’s the reason the club exists. We’re a community interest company set up for people who don’t feel comfortable in a mainstream gym. There’s a sensory room with controlled lighting and calming sound for anyone who needs to step out, and a social group for the SEND community.
Where are you and when are you open?
The Kings Road, Southwick, Sunderland SR5 2JD. Sessions run Monday to Saturday: Kids Fitness and SASS on Monday and Wednesday, Over 55’s, U12s, teens and adults weightlifting on Tuesday and Thursday, Family Fitness on Friday, and SASS plus youth weightlifting on Saturday morning. PT runs outside these hours. WhatsApp us or call +44 7565 964 173.
Join the movement
Two questions and your details. We'll put you on the right list and see you at the gym. Takes about thirty seconds.