I’m a digital nomad based in Asia with a passion for strength sports.

Here is my list of places I've trained at or plan to visit, including:

  1. Olympic Weightlifting clubs or coaches
  2. Powerlifting clubs or coaches
  3. Gyms with platforms, bumper plates, or high-quality benches and barbells.

I'll add to this list if I discover more.

If you know of a place I can add to the list, please contact me.

Bangkok - Ironhive

A proper weightlifting and powerlifting gym with coaches in both sports.

This is not a CrossFit or bodybuilding gym. It barely has any machines, but it does have Eleiko bars, plates, and benches - all the right equipment for serious powerlifters and weightlifters.

Their instructors have all competed in their sports (one of the powerlifting coaches - Opor - is an IPF world champion), and all the coaches speak English.

This is also one of the best gyms for competitive weightlifters in Asia. Whether you are just dropping in for your own training, want some one-on-one sessions with a coach, or want to join the club's amateur weightlifting team.

It's located in the heart of Bangkok, near Sukhumvit road and some of the most touristy areas. It's easy to get to using the BTS Skytrain (Sukhumvit line).

Japan

Japan isn't the best place for strength sports. Most Japanese value being slim rather than muscular, and proper Olympic Weightlifting gyms are mainly for University students.

However, there are some options for casual lifters.

First up, there are two gyms owned by the same company, both in the Tokyo region.

Blackships Choujin - Tokyo

Home gym of Toshiki Yamamoto.

It's mainly a Crossfit gym with a strong focus on weightlifting.

BlackShips Tsurumi (Agito Weightlifting) - Yokohama

Just south of Tokyo is Yokohama, technically a different city but not really.

This club is also owned by Blackships, but it seems to be even more focused on weightlifting.

Watch Clarence Kennedy, Zack Telander, and Sika Strength train here on their Japan tour:

Oni Gym 24

A serious Powerlifting gym in Osaka, with bumper plates and platforms for Olympic Weightlifting too. It's great for doing your own training. I don't think there is a team or club training, but I may be wrong.

Oni Gym in Osaka
Oni Gym in Osaka

They do offer personal training in both Powerlifting and Olympic Weightlifting, if you're a beginner and want to learn the lifts. But it's not cheap - at around $100 USD per session.

Other Olympic Weightlifting clubs in Japan

Here is a listing of weightlifting gyms registered with the Japanese Weightlifting Association: https://j-w-a.or.jp/practice-ground/area01/.

Make sure you filter the page by the correct prefecture or city.

Unfortunately, many of these clubs will not be open to foreigners, especially adult beginners. Weightlifting is not a casual sport in Japan. It's usually something you start in school or university and actively compete in.

If you are an advanced lifter, and speak at least some Japanese, it may be possible to join one of these clubs.

This is just my opinion (I'm in Japan as I write this), but you will need to be staying in Japan for a while, I'd say at least 6 months to a year, for them to bother investing in you.

You could also perhaps get in touch with We Lift Weights. He speaks English and has a deep knowledge of the Japanese weightlifting scene, having visited clubs, competitions, and interviewed weightlifters across the country.

Taiwan

Gyms in Taiwan work a bit differently compared to the West. Here, you will find many more training studios, where a coach works with a small group of around 5 clients at a time.

This might sound expensive if you're from a Western country, but it's quite normal in Asia, and the prices are affordable. Many locals train in these types of gyms.

Surprisingly, Taiwan seems to have a good Strongman scene.

SBDTaiwan organizes amateur Strongman competitions with weight classes and male/female categories.

Tumaz Strong - Weightlifting & Strongman

I haven't been here yet, but I'm very excited to visit.

The head coach has great technique in Olympic weightlifting, but they also do a lot of Strongman-style training, such as Yoke carries and Atlas ball lifts.

Malaysia

There is a great choice of powerlifting and strength training gyms in Malaysia. Weightlifting is not as common, so Crossfit gyms might be the only option.

District 13

A huge CrossFit-style or functional training gym that offers classes in Olympic Wightlifting, amongst others such as functional training and gymnastics/calisthenics.

China

It's hard to get into the weightlifting scene in China.

There are the camps organized by Ma Strength, but not many options for regular gym visits if you're already living/staying there.

Venus Weightlifting - Shanghai

One club in Shanghai that might be foreigner-friendly is Venus Weightlifting.

Their social media targets English speakers, and most of their content focuses on adult beginners or amateur athletes. This is rare in China.