IJzersterk is the student strength sports association of Delft, founded in 2016. Their motto: pompen (pump). That says enough about the atmosphere. You lift together, you scream each other through a heavy squat and you chase PRs.
The association is all about powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting and strongman. IJzersterk runs the powerlifting sessions together with X, the TU Delft sports centre on the Mekelweg. Those sessions are for every level. If you're a beginner, you learn the technique of squat, bench and deadlift after a targeted warm-up. Once you've got the basics down, you work on variations and experienced lifters check your technique. Note: you need both an X subscription and an IJzersterk membership. Joining on a one-off basis through the X webshop isn't possible.
Competing isn't an afterthought here. The club wants to make competing as accessible as possible and organised the Student Strength Battle, a practice powerlifting meet for students with three attempts per lift. There's also plenty off the platform: committees for events, merch and media, and evenings like Deadlifts & Donuts.
You can sign up twice a year: during the introduction period in August and after the first semester, usually in January or February.
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.