Fortius is the Leiden Student Strength Sports Association, founded in 2025. It started as a small group of students training together at the University Sports Centre and grew into a close-knit club with members of every level: from complete beginners to lifters who compete in powerlifting meets.
You don't have to be strong to start. Even if you just go to the gym and don't powerlift, you're welcome. Don't speak Dutch? No problem, the club is accessible in English too. No entry level and no high threshold: everyone trains at their own pace.
You train at the USC on Goliuspad, together on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. You train on your own, but spot and motivate each other. There's a competition committee and a training committee, and the club occasionally organises its own competitions. Plus monthly drinks, outings and weekends away. In total, eight committees keep the club running.
You can get a feel for the atmosphere through a USC Try Out Week, a day pass or a membership: with any of these you can join one of the training times with no strings attached.
Upcoming competitions in the Netherlands
- 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.