Since 2014, Wageningen Beasts has been the strength sports association of Wageningen University. They call themselves the powerhouse of the university, and the offer lives up to it: powerlifting, weightlifting, strongman and cross training. Training runs Monday to Friday, with sports centre De Bongerd as home base.
For powerlifters, the clinics are the highlight. A few times a year you follow four sessions on squat, bench and deadlift led by Pjotr van den Hoek, national junior coach. The last session is a max-out, so you finish with a real test. Weightlifting works the same way, twice a year, with national coach Ton Leenders.
In strongman you lift unconventional objects such as a log, Atlas stones and sandbags. The association also brings in experts to share knowledge, and the activities committee organises drinks after training and Christmas dinners.
You can join if you have an annual sports pass. There's also a separate category for alumni. Sign up through the site.
Competitions in Gelderland and beyond
- Beginner Meet Atlas 2026: 14 November 2026, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Lichtstad Cup 2026: 28 November 2026, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Sectievergadering KNKF – Sectie Powerlifting 2026: 12 December 2026, Son en Breugel, the Netherlands
All competitions are in the competition calendar.