Olympic Weightlifting Halifax

Olympic Weightlifting is a sport built around two lifts: the snatch and the clean & jerk. Both are performed with a barbell, take a single attempt, and require explosive power, mobility, technique, and confidence. It’s been part of the modern Olympic Games since 1896.

Both train at the Kaos facility in Bayers Lake but are separate programs. Kaos Weightlifting is included in every standard Kaos CrossFit membership, coached by Kaos staff (Shawn Quigley and Jean St-Amand), and runs Tuesday open floor, Friday Night at the Bar, and Sunday mornings. Primo Weightlifting is an Olympic Weightlifting team operated by JP Primeau and Cassidy Klein, a separate organization with its own pricing and structure. Primo welcomes lifters at every level, from beginners to national-platform athletes. Tuesdays and Friday Nights are shared sessions where both programs train together, and Friday Night at the Bar is also open to the public. Other Primo sessions run Thursdays and Saturdays. Kaos-only sessions run Sunday mornings.

The Kaos Weightlifting program is coached by Shawn Quigley (NCCP Comp Dev Trained, Catalyst Athletics Level 2) and Jean St-Amand (Catalyst Athletics Level 1, NCCP Comp Intro). The Primo Weightlifting team is coached by JP Primeau and Cassidy Klein, both NCCP Comp Dev Trained. Three NCCP Comp Dev coaches plus a Catalyst L2 across the two programs, all training at the Kaos facility in Bayers Lake.

No. The Kaos Weightlifting sessions are scaled for every experience level. New lifters learn the snatch and clean & jerk with technique-first coaching. Experienced lifters get programmed strength work and refinement. Beginners are welcomed in every session.

Yes. All standard Kaos CrossFit memberships ($70 biweekly Limited, $86 biweekly Unlimited) include full access to Kaos Olympic Weightlifting sessions at no extra cost. Show up to Tuesday, Friday Night at the Bar, or Sunday morning, with no upgrade fee and no separate sign-up. If you don’t want CrossFit and only want to lift, there’s an Olympic Weightlifting-only membership tier: $40 biweekly for Limited, $50 biweekly for Unlimited, or $120 for a 10x punch card.

Primo Weightlifting is a separate organization that operates its team training at the Kaos facility. Lifters at every level are welcome, whether you’re chasing a national platform or just love the barbell and want a team to train with. To join Primo, contact JP Primeau or Cassidy Klein directly. Primo handles its own pricing, scheduling, and athlete intake. Kaos coaches are happy to make the introduction if you want help getting connected.

“Friday Night at the Bar” is the weekly Friday evening Olympic Weightlifting session at Kaos CrossFit Halifax, and the bar in question is the barbell. It’s a shared session between Kaos and Primo Weightlifting, and it’s open to the public. Whether you’re a Kaos member, a Primo team athlete, or someone in Halifax who just wants to learn the snatch and clean & jerk under credentialed coaches, Friday Night at the Bar is the easiest entry point into Halifax’s Olympic Weightlifting community.

Yes. Kaos CrossFit is a partner of Weightlifting Nova Scotia, the provincial governing body for Olympic Weightlifting. The partnership supports sport development across the province and connects Halifax lifters to provincial and national pathways.

Olympic lifting shoes (with a flat, raised heel) are ideal for serious training, but you can start in flat-soled sneakers or running shoes. Coaches will tell you when it’s time to invest in lifting shoes. Don’t buy shoes before your first session.

Yes. Friday Night at the Bar is the most accessible session, open to the public with no membership required. Message us first to confirm a spot. Other Kaos Weightlifting sessions (Tuesday and Sunday) are typically open to drop-ins as well. Primo Weightlifting Thursday and Saturday team training is for registered team members only.