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Brisbane North Barbell

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Brisbane North Barbell

Brisbane North Barbell - a friendly community of members with quality equipment & expert coaches.
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15/03/2026

Some people leave BNB and never come back. Others eventually realise the mistake they made 😅

In November 2025, Matt “Sweaty” returned to BNB after a little more than a year away.

Sweaty was originally part of the BNB crew from early 2023 through to mid 2024, before heading off to see what else was out there. Now he is back, and it is great to have him in the gym again.

When I asked him why he decided to return, his answer was pretty simple:
“I returned to BNB as I wanted to keep pushing towards getting stronger overall, and one day beat my Dad’s bench press PB.”

When asked what he enjoys most about BNB, his answer will not surprise many long-term members:
“At the core of what I enjoy most about BNB are its people. No matter the level you are at with your training, getting carried away chatting to other members is a certainty. Everyone there wants to see other members lifted to their highest potential.”

He also mentioned something that regular BNB members tend to take for granted:
“The order and structure of the equipment, and the responsibility placed on members to care for it. You can only trip over so many out of place dumbbells at other gyms before you fully accept the alternative.”

Like many BNB members, Matt also quickly earned himself a nickname:
“At BNB, getting a nickname is less of a possibility, and more a matter of time. Soon enough ‘Sweaty’ became mine. After years of being called MOC or Moconnor, it has been great to have a nickname I can call my own.”

Some of his favourite memories so far include competing at BNB in 2023, helping out on the spot and load crew at comps, and attempting to rerack a failed 300kg+ squat before realising everyone else had already let go of the bar… which led to weeks of banter afterwards 😅

Great to have you back mate 💪

10/03/2026

Scarlett had not trained for 6+ months.

One week before BNB Brawl IX she decided she wanted to compete anyway.

30kg bench PB (+3kg)
62.5kg deadlift PB (+10kg)

I always tell my kids the same thing:
“Try your best, and whatever happens, happens.”

Turns out trying your best earns you three scoops of gelato 🍨 thanks to which Scarlett was VERY happy about!

09/03/2026

BNB Brawl IX. Small comp. Big standard.

Saturday Feb 21, we hosted our first APL competition of 2026 at Brisbane North Barbell.

15 lifters.
1 flight.
30 BNB volunteers.

For a small comp, that volunteer number says everything.

Refs and "Rookie Refs".
Spot and Load.
Tech Desk.
Coaches and Assistants.

What always stands out to me is not just how well individuals perform their role, but how well each crew operates as a unit. Everyone understands their responsibility. Everyone backs each other. No egos. Just responsibility and ex*****on.

I will be honest.

I woke up at 3am on comp morning and could not get back to sleep. My brain immediately went to all the things that have gone wrong at past BNB competitions.

TVs not connecting.
Internet dropping out.
Laptops dying.
Incorrect rack heights.
Plates loaded incorrectly.
Attempts grabbed too early.
Questionable referee calls.

There have been times I have been at BNB until after 2am the night before a comp trying to fix tech issues. The worst was losing both laptops the day before a competition when neither would boot up. Hours spent trying to fix them, then desperately messaging members to borrow laptops just so the event could go ahead.

The stress in the lead up to a comp, especially the night before, is always real.

Thankfully, none of those fears eventuated.

Competition day ran smoothly. Professionally. Calmly. Exactly how it should.

And that is not luck.

That is the standard of the BNB crew.

Swipe through to see:

Our full BNB crew.
Our referees and rookie referees.
Our tech desk team keeping everything running.
Our spot and load crew doing the hard physical work all day.
Our coaches and lifters representing BNB properly on the platform.

I am incredibly proud of the way our people show up, not just to lift, but to serve, to referee, to load, to coach, and to represent the gym properly.

That is what builds culture.

Thank you to every single person who played a role. You made it look effortless.👏

19/02/2026

Rourke Porky 🐷 is back at BNB!

After about a 6 month absence, it was a pleasure to welcome Rourke back for coaching last week, and honestly, it is always a good feeling when that happens.

Years ago, I used to take it personally when someone left.

It felt like a knife in the side. You invest time, energy, coaching, conversations, belief. Then they are gone. I would question what I could have done better.

But over time, I learned something important.

Life happens.

Work changes. Relationships shift. Priorities move. New hobbies pop up. People come, people go. And that is normal.

What I have found is this, the more relaxed, easy going and understanding I am about life, the more likely someone is to return when they are ready.

And Rourke summed it up better than I ever could:

“I returned to BNB as there simply is no place like it. I have trained and worked in gyms and nothing compares to the top tier coaching Dave provides and the community. The community is amazing at BNB, they are welcoming and supportive, easy to banter with, and it is impressive how many of them are willing to give up time on their weekends to make powerlifting and strongman comps run for other people.

Every comp I have been a part of, I have heard people say just how outstanding BNB is to compete at. Apart from the amazing community, Dave’s coaching is on a different level. He is direct and pushes you hard, but he is also caring. He knows your potential and that personally drives me to train and work harder so I can hit that potential. My training and my coaching is better when I am at BNB because it pushes me to another level.

I also miss being in a 35 degree sauna for 2 hours of a SBD session.”

That last line might be questionable behaviour, but we will allow it 😂🔥

Good to have you back mate. Now let us get back to work.

BNB is not just a gym. It is a standard.

And once you have trained at that standard, it is hard to settle for less 💪.

18/02/2026

2026 at BNB is officially locked in.

Our full competition calendar is set, dates are in, and you can now plan your training cycles, qualifiers and major targets properly.

Here is the year in order 👇

Feb 21 – Brawl IX Powerlifting Competition (APL)
Mar 28 – Brisbane Strongman Series 2026 Round 1
Apr 18 – Blitz IX Powerlifting Competition (APL)
Jun 13 – Australian Powerlifting Championships (PA), North Division
Jul 25 – Brisbane Strongman Series 2026 Round 2
Aug 29 – Brawn IX Powerlifting Competition (APL)
Oct 24 – Boss Babes IX Powerlifting Competition (Women Only)
Nov 28 – Brisbane Strongman Series 2026 Round 3
Dec 19 – Blast XIII Powerlifting Competition (APL)

February and April will both serve as qualifying opportunities for APL National events later in the year.

December will serve as a qualifying opportunity for higher level APL competitions in 2027, so if you are already thinking long term, that one matters too.

For the first time, Boss Babes will likely run as a sanctioned APL competition. That means more exposure, more competitors, and another pathway for women to qualify for higher level events. That is a significant step forward.

Also important, BNB competitions are open to everyone. You do not need to be a BNB member to compete. If you want to step on the platform, you are welcome.

We have built a genuine competitive ecosystem here, from first timers doing their very first comp through to experienced lifters chasing national qualification.

Swipe across to see the unofficial 2026 BNB calendar… a completely rogue, member-made version that now proudly hangs on the wall at BNB. It is ridiculous, slightly inappropriate, and full of some of the best memories inside these walls.

Save the dates.
Choose your target.
Train with intent.
Earn the result.

2026 is there for the taking 💪

17/02/2026

BNB’s first comp of 2026 is this Saturday! 🔥

BNB Brawl IX
Saturday Feb 21
Doors open 8am, lifting kicks off 9am sharp

We’re keeping this one intimate, just 15 lifters, 1 flight, fast moving and loud.

Squats 9.00am–10.00am
25 min break
Bench 10.30am–11.30am
25 min break
Deadlifts 12.00pm–1.00pm
Medals straight after 🏅

If you love watching a comp that runs tight and efficient, this is the one.

We’ll also have the pleasure of APL President Daniel Carpenter, APL Dan himself, in the house. Looking forward to hosting him at BNB 👊

Special mention, Scarlett is making her return to the platform at just 9 years old. One week’s notice. No training for 6+ months. Just pure “I’m built different!” energy, just like her December comp shirt 😅 I love it ❤️

And yes, the shirts… “Day of the Deadlift” 💀

Brear .bre absolutely nailed this design once again. The detail, the colours, the whole vibe, it is unreal. Huge thanks to Powerstitch for bringing it to life with the printing.

Shirts, singlets, crops and tanks are all available to order. If you want one, flick me a message and I will sort you out.

Spectators are welcome, entry is free, and we will have 80+ chairs set up for the day. If you cannot make it in person, the full comp will be livestreamed via the Brisbane North Barbell YouTube channel.

Doors open 8am. Come down, support the lifters, make some noise, and let’s start 2026 the right way at Brisbane North Barbell 💥

12/02/2026

The never-ending quest to upgrade BNB is not always about big, shiny equipment.

Sometimes it is door handles, airflow, hygiene and small tweaks that make the whole place function better.

Here’s a look at some of the quieter upgrades that have been rolled out recently.

Left to right, top to bottom 👇

Bathroom door handles, $250
Clear green for vacant, red for in use. A long-standing competition day issue now solved with a simple, permanent fix. No more guessing when the door is shut.

Gym TVs
The TVs now rotate photos of BNB members and coaching clients, past and present. Competition lifts, records, action shots and behind-the-scenes moments. It has become a genuine source of pride and entertainment between sets.

Kettlebell stand, $500
All kettlebells now sit on a proper three-tier stand. Easier access, clearer weight visibility, less clutter. Small upgrade, noticeably better flow.

Deadlift fan reposition
Shifted back slightly to create more space between the airflow, the 120kg Samtek bar and the lifter. Nothing dramatic, just better spacing and comfort where it counts.

Deadlift mats, $1200
Eighteen new 20mm mats across three 2m x 3m deadlift areas. Improved noise reduction, better protection for bars and plates, and long term flooring protection.

Byron Bay wipes dispenser, $250
Spray bottles out, proper wipe dispenser in. Faster clean up, less mess, higher hygiene standard across the gym.

Hand soap upgrades
Larger volume bottles with wider bases in both bathrooms. Even the longest, sweatiest summer powerlifting comp will not run out.

Back door latch
The rear door can now be secured open, bringing in more natural light and airflow. A small change that makes a real difference for the back combo rack area.

A big thank you to Coach Luke, who is usually the one actually implementing these improvements. I bring the ideas, Luke makes them happen.

And thank you to Team BNB members and coaching clients. Many of these changes come from constant conversations on the gym floor, brainstorming better ways to do things and pressure testing ideas before we commit.

BNB improves because the team cares 👊

11/02/2026

Brisbane North Barbell 🤝 Pine Central Holy Spirit Hornets

Proud and honoured to be working with the U16s this season.

Last night was session one, laying the foundations for what will become a serious strength base over the coming months. Stronger legs, stronger hips, stronger bodies, all built properly, safely, and consistently.

Big thank you to Coach Lala for her support on the floor. Two sets of coaching eyes makes a big difference when teaching young athletes how to move well and lift properly.

Thanks to Coach Tom for backing the boys and prioritising their development, and to Ari for the countless emails and organisation behind the scenes to make this happen.

Also, a personal thank you to Dan Baker , a mentor of mine since the early days of BNB. Dan spent nearly two decades as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at the Brisbane Broncos and was always clear on one thing: getting strong is extremely important for rugby league!

Looking forward to building some serious strength and confidence in this group. The work starts now 💪

29/01/2026

Meet Team BNB’s Coaches, Part 3 of 3
Coach Dave

At Brisbane North Barbell, coaching is built on long term consistency, real competition exposure, and decades spent under the bar.

Here’s a snapshot of Coach Dave.

Training background
• Training since 2000
• 25+ years of training experience
• 12+ years of competition experience
• 70+ competitions as an athlete since 2014

Competition experience
• Represented Australia at the World Powerlifting Championships, Italy 2023
• Represented Australia at the Kolmar Cup Mas Wrestling tournament, Russia 2017
• Represented Australia at the IPF World Championships, Finland 2015
• Powerlifting Australia Nationals competitor 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024 & 2025

Best lifts to date
• 320 kg squat
• 187.5 kg bench press
• 331 kg deadlift
• 250 kg front squat

Competition involvement
• 200+ competitions as meet director, coach, or referee since 2014

Qualifications
• Bachelor of Health Science (Nutritional Medicine)
• Certificate III and IV in Fitness
• Australian Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Qualified referee with PA, APL, USAPL, and GPC
• Blue Card
• 40+ completed courses, degrees, and certifications

Coaching expertise
• Muscle building and strength development
• Powerlifting and strongman, from first meet to international level
• Long term progression and athlete development

Coaching availability
• Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• One on one and small group coaching in person at BNB
• Online coaching and programming available

Favourite coaching or lifting moment
Seeing lifters progress from their first nervous gym session to confident competition performances, and knowing BNB has played a role in that journey, remains the most rewarding part of coaching.

If you’re looking for structured, experience driven coaching with a long term focus, Coach Dave is someone you should speak to.

Part 3 of 3
BNB Coaching Team 🏋️‍♂️

28/01/2026

Meet Team BNB’s Coaches, Part 2 of 3
Coach Lala

At Brisbane North Barbell, great coaching is built on real training experience, competition exposure, and a strong understanding of how bodies actually work.

Here’s a snapshot of Coach Lala.

Lifting background
• Competitive powerlifting
• 10+ years of training experience
• 400 kg total at 70.9 kg bodyweight
• 145 kg squat, 82.5 kg bench, 172.5 kg deadlift

Competition experience
• 9 competitions since 2023
• APL Nationals 2023, 2024, 2025
• Powerlifting Australia Nationals 2024, 2nd place
• World Powerlifting Championships 2024
• Best Female Lifter, Matti Tikka Challenge 2025

Competition involvement
• Volunteered at 10+ competitions across multiple roles
• Australian Powerlifting League referee

Qualifications
• Certificate III and IV in Fitness
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science
• Continuing education in
– Training pregnant and postnatal women
– Menopausal and perimenopausal women
– Menstrual cycle considerations
– Pelvic floor and prolapse
• Blue Card

Coaching expertise
• Powerlifting from beginner to competitive level
• Women’s strength training across all life stages
• Technique refinement and competition preparation

Coaching availability
• Monday to Friday, 5:00 am to 11:00 am
• Weekends by appointment
• One on one coaching in person at BNB
• Online coaching available

Favourite coaching or lifting moment
Some competition moments stick with you for unexpected reasons...
Being serenaded in the warm up room at the Matti Tikka Challenge was definitely unexpected and has since become something we still laugh about at BNB.
At the 2024 World Powerlifting Championships, fumbling a deadlift because I was standing on a crease in the platform was a valuable reminder that even the smallest details can matter on the big stage.

If you’re looking for a coach who combines high level lifting experience with a strong understanding of female physiology and long term athlete development, Coach Lala is someone you should speak to.

Part 2 of 3
BNB Coaching Team 🏋️‍♀️

27/01/2026

Meet Team BNB’s Coaches, Part 1 of 3
Coach Luke

At Brisbane North Barbell, coaching experience matters, but so does actually living the training process.

Here’s a snapshot of Coach Luke.

Lifting background
• Powerlifting, strongman, general strength and fitness
• 15+ years under the bar

Competition experience
• 24 competitions as an athlete
• Queensland’s Strongest, multiple national level powerlifting competitions, World Powerlifting Championships
• 30+ competitions coaching, handling, or officiating

Notable competitions
• 2024 World Powerlifting Championships
• 2025 Powerlifting Australia Nationals, North Division

Qualifications
• Certificate III and IV in Fitness
• Blue Card
• World Powerlifting national and world referee
• Australian Powerlifting League referee

Coaching expertise
• Powerlifting and strongman
• Beginners, juniors, and general strength
• Technique development, competition preparation, long term progression

Coaching availability
• Monday to Friday, 6:00 am to 11:00 am
• Saturday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
• One on one and small group coaching in person at BNB

Favourite coaching or lifting moment
Hitting my first 200 kg squat at the 2024 World Powerlifting Championships at Sydney Fitness Expo was a standout moment.
Coaching two clients at BNB Brawn VIII, with support from an existing client, was a genuine full circle experience.

If you’re looking for a coach who approaches training with empathy, experience, and genuine passion for lifting, Coach Luke is someone you should speak to.

Part 1 of 3
BNB Coaching Team 🏋️‍♂️

22/01/2026

Your authority isn’t recognised in FORT KICKASS 😎📦

When another Bulk Nutrients WPI price rise loomed, I did the only sensible thing, I doubled down on the cardboard fortress.

That is another 190kg of WPI added to the stack before prices jump, worth a total spend of around $10,000 to save roughly $2000 in the long run. Not glamorous, but smart for BNB and for everyone who grabs their supps here 💪💸

Yes, we do sell WPI at the gym:
🏷️ 1kg bag, $60 (soon $70)
🏷️ 3kg (3 x 1kg bags), $170 (soon $200)

Flavours available:
Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Choc Honeycomb, Salted Caramel, Banana, Strawberry, Vanilla Maple, Iced Coffee, Choc Peanut, Choc Ice Cream & Raw.

And for anyone worried about expiry dates, with roughly 1.5 years shelf life on the bags and me chewing through 4 scoops per day, that is about 1kg per week. Even solo, I would clear around 50kg in a year, so trust me, it will not be going to waste 😅

Stocking up early keeps prices lower for longer, and keeps Fort Kickass well defended 😎📦

Address

Unit 4, 7 Mackie Way
Brendale, QLD
4500

Opening Hours

Monday	6am - 8pm
Tuesday	6am - 8pm
Wednesday	6am - 8pm
Thursday	6am - 8pm
Friday	6am - 8pm
Saturday	8am - 12pm
Sunday	9am - 4pm

Website

http://www.brisbanenorthbarbell.com/

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BNB’s Story

Brisbane North Barbell is the only 24/7 powerlifting & strongman gym located in Brendale. BNB is owned & operated by international powerlifter & strongman Dave Napper, whose best lifts within Powerlifting Australia competition are 320kg squat, 185kg bench press and 331kg deadlift.

At BNB, we cater for all individuals regardless of age, strength or lifting experience. BNB has members from 10 years to 64 years and they all learn how to squat, bench press & deadlift safely & confidently.

If you’re sick of crowded commercial gyms that don’t care about your goals then feel free to drop by BNB and see the difference a positive, supportive training environment can do for you. Simply mention this upon joining as a member and receive 2 weeks free membership & programming to help get you started.