The Association was formed in 1910 and is affiliated to the IWF (International Weightlifting Federation).

History
Lifting heavy weights for sport dates back to old Roman and Greek days and therefore weightlifting is probably the oldest sport. The sport developed into 3 disciplines: the press, the snatch, and the clean and jerk.  The press was dropped because it became difficult to referee due to acute technical coaching and today there is just the snatch and the clean and jerk.  They are known as the 'Olympic Lifts' because the sport is included in the Olympic Games.

In competition the athletes compete on a 'rising bar' with weight increases for each attempt on each lift, minimum increase is 2.5 kg with no maximum increase.  Each lifter has 3 attempts on each 'lift' (discipline) and the best attempts on each lift are added together to make a 'total'.  The highest total wins and each lift is judged by three referees and 'good' lift or 'bad' lift is decided by a majority decision.

As well as competing on the two disciplines, athletes also compete in eight different body weight categories (men) and seven categories (women).

Facilities and Equipment Required
The main requirement is an International Weightlifting Bar, discs that fit onto the bar, and a 4 x 4 metres weightlifting platform.  The discs (in kilos) are 1.25, 2.5, and 5 (metal) and 10, 15, 20, and 25 (rubber).  The platform is usually constructed of wood or rubber mats, 2 x 1 metres.  Discs are held onto the bar by 2 x 2.5 kg locking 'collars'.

The best facility would be a warm gymnasium with toilets, showers, a sauna, and about 4 to 6 weightlifting platforms with a full set of weights for each platform.  Most weightlifting is done in a room provided in youth centres or in leisure centres.

Benefits of the Sport
Almost every competitive sport today uses weightlifting to develop strength and speed for each particular sport.  Therefore, the main benefit is that it will help an athlete regardless of his/her choice of sport.

As mentioned previously, there are two disciplines.  The sport also develops the discipline of every person who gets involved and this discipline can be applied to any sport or just to everyday living.

In Great Britain, approximately 100 lifters between the ages of 35 and 80 compete in Masters weightlifting domestically and internationally.  So the sport, the discipline, the mobility, and the health, can be a lifetime experience.

Variations of the Sport
The British Association runs a National League with teams from each division competing against each other.

Some divisions have annual competitions where athletes compete against each other regardless of body weight category, and allowances are given to the lighter lifters.