If you have gone onto the Associated Students of Seattle Pacific (ASSP) website club page, where all of SPU’s clubs and a description of each club is listed, over the past few months you will have noticed a club has appeared that was not on the list years previously — The Barbell Brotherhood. In the official description for The Barbell Brotherhood, the club, as implied by its name, is defined as a club that meets primarily to help its members workout in the gym.
“The Barbell Brotherhood is to foster an understanding of strength, fitness, and a healthy lifestyle. Our events aim to create experiences that enable members to engage with their peers and promote diversity both within the club and throughout the university.”
Emilio Tolomei, one of the founders of the club and a sophomore majoring in business and economics, summarized this description of the club by highlighting the club’s overall mission and purpose for creation.
“Our mission is to cultivate a community of lifting,” Tolomei said.
According to Jack Wiebe, another founder of the club and a senior majoring in politics, philosophy and economics (PPE), The Barbell Brotherhood is a new startup club.
“We were founded last quarter. So fall 2024,” Wiebe said.
Despite not having a grand or long history, the club has seen remarkable growth within only a few months.
According to Gideon Priest, the last founder of The Barbell Brotherhood and a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, the club expanded to 12 members after only two quarters.
“[At the end of the winter quarter we had] 12 members. But since it’s a new club, that’s pretty good. We project to have exponential growth,” Priest said.
Among its members is a wide range of underclassmen according to Wiebe.
“Half are freshmen and the rest are upper-class,” Wiebe said.
As the club continues to become more fleshed out, Tolomei noted how the club and its members are excited to start broadening their reach across SPU’s campus and for students to look out for the club’s upcoming Instagram profile.
“Posters are in production. [For our] Instagram profile, we have plans for that to roll out in spring as well as some hype video content introducing our club and showing people what we’re about,” Tolomei said. “We plan to also be at the club fairs, hopefully with a barbell and encouraging people to come to PR at our club info sessions.”
For anyone who wants to join, Priest commended how the club is open to everyone and meets twice a week for two-and-a-half hours at SPU’s weight room.
“Tuesday, Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., we reserve the Royal Brougham Pavilion weight room. People are welcome to come and lift with us,” Priest said.
