The Weightlifting Hall of Fame contains a diverse history of the strength sports, their evolution from mythology to early Olympic Games and from the 19th and 20th century amateur and professional strongmen to the current specialized sport of Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting and bodybuilding.
The Weightlifting Hall of Fame encompasses approximately 8,000 square feet of the space and is housed in the first floor of the York Barbell administrative building, adjacent to York's manufacturing facility, 2 miles north of York at exit 24 Interstate 83.
A 7.5ft bronze statue of Bob Hoffman, "Father of World Weightlifting" and founder of York Barbell, stands outside of the entrance to the museum and Hall of Fame. The introduction to the strength begins in the massive two-story lobby, fronted with a circular window. Life-size bronze busts of Steve Stanko and Bob Hoffman stand beside displays of nineteenth century and early twentieth century spherical-end shaped dumbbells and barbells.
Visitors will also see York's "ticket to the world" - our 185kg Elite certified set, the only set manufactured in the United States and approved by the IWF for use at all international and national weightlifting events. Behind this set, you can see a mural depicting champion weightlifters, seated on the right is Tommy Kono, arguably the greatest American weightlifter.
To the right of the lobby is a large auditorium featuring an Olympic weightlifting platform where competitions are held and seating for 200 people. Films may also be viewed in the auditorium, which is equipped with a projection room and a large screen on the wall behind the platform.
The Hall of Fame tour continues with the evolution of strongmanism into today's current format of Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and bodybuilding. The Olympic weightlifting exhibit traces the entire Olympic and World Championship weightlifting history from Amsterdam in 1928 to Atlanta in 1996. Additional panels feature American and International weightlifting world champions, and the total women's weightlifting history, in existence since 1981.
Products available at the retail store includes: treadmills, bikes, elliptical cross-trainers, steppers, selectorized home gyms, free weight home gyms, free weight benches, free weight plates, dumbbells, and bars. Also available is an extensive library of weightlifting books, York Barbell clothing and lifting accessories.
The store caters to both the commercial and residential markets. The residential customer is welcome to visit our showrooms to view sample and choose from a complete line of home gym, free weight and cardiovascular equipment. Buying directly from the manufacturer at the York Barbell Retail Store saves money
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