Murder of Crows Barbell: Powerlifting Gym in Crown Heights

Murder of Crows Barbell Club operates out of an expansive industrial warehouse at 1010 Dean Street in Crown Heights, serving as the definitive powerlifting gym near me destination for competitive strength athletes in Brooklyn. Founded in 2014 by Kurt Roderick and Delancey McFadden, this facility abandoned the mirrors, chrome machines, and smoothie bars of commercial franchises to build a true training haven dedicated entirely to the barbell. Step through the heavy roll-up doors and you immediately hear the rhythmic clatter of calibrated steel plates colliding, heavy deadlifts returning to wood platforms, and coaching cues shouted across the open floor.

The training space centers on competition-grade powerlifting gear designed to meet strict USA Powerlifting standards. Athletes train across custom-built wooden lifting platforms equipped with Texas power bars, Ohio power bars, and Eleiko calibrated steel competition discs. Unlike standard commercial gym plates that vary in density and width, every bumper and cast iron disc here delivers exact kilo calibration so that competitive lifters calculate precise rack attempts down to the half-pound. Sturdy combo racks allow lifters to move seamlessly between heavy back squats and bench presses without adjusting loose safety pins or wobbling frames.

Along the perimeter of the brick hall, heavy-duty belt squats, reverse hypers, specialized deadlift jacks, and glute-ham developers keep high-volume training days organized. Chalk buckets sit stationed beside every lifting bay, ensuring lifters maintain secure knurling traction during heavy pulls in humid summer months. The layout deliberately prioritizes walking lanes and platform buffer zones, allowing spotters and training partners to load 45-pound iron plates safely without crowding neighboring platforms during intense attempts. Dumbbells reach up to 150 pounds on reinforced steel racks, accommodating heavy accessory rows, presses, and carries.

Visiting powerlifters traveling through New York City can secure training access through a single class drop-in pass priced at $25. This visitor session grants access to scheduled barbell blocks and coached group sessions, provided athletes register online through the Mindbody portal prior to arrival. Traveling lifters staying in Brooklyn for an extended stretch often opt for the 10-class punch card at $200, which carries a six-month expiration date and covers both coached workouts and regular lifting sessions without long-term contracts.

For local strength athletes seeking a permanent home, unlimited monthly open gym memberships sit at $200 per month. Monthly members receive dedicated platform access, custom programming tracking through the gym digital system, and specialized open hours outside prime coaching blocks. Personal training packages and specialized powerlifting team programming are also available for athletes preparing for regional sanctioned meets, offering video analysis, technique refinement, and meet-day handler support. Locker storage and cubbies allow members to stash lifting belts, knee sleeves, and squat shoes on site.

The club houses dedicated competitive teams spanning junior lifters, master divisions, and national-level record holders. Coaching programs emphasize progressive overload, movement biomechanics, and technical consistency across the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Athletes receive hands-on instruction covering stance width, bar path velocity, bracing mechanics, and optimal arch positioning for powerlifting competition rules.

Team practices run under the watchful eyes of experienced USA Powerlifting certified coaches who tailor programming blocks to upcoming competition calendars. Whether preparing for local Brooklyn qualifiers or national championships, lifters follow structured deload cycles, peaking protocols, and mock meet rehearsals on weekends. The shared knowledge in the room elevates every lifter, transforming solitary training grinds into collaborative athletic progression.

Murder of Crows operates on unwritten rules forged by years of competitive barbell culture. Lifters must collar every working barbell, regardless of whether they are pressing 135 pounds or deadlifting 500 pounds, to prevent shifting weights from endangering neighboring athletes. Dropping loaded barbells from the top of a deadlift lockout is strictly prohibited; weights must be returned to the platform under control to protect both the equipment and the foundation floor. Brass wire brushes sit near every chalk stand, and lifters are expected to sweep chalk residue from bar knurling after completing their sets.

The community brings together national-level competitors, collegiate athletes, and neighborhood residents learning their first low-bar squat. Team training sessions foster an electric atmosphere where lifters regularly pause their own rest periods to shout encouragement or spot a teammate attempting a personal record. Mutual respect governs the room, and asking to work in on a squat rack is standard practice during busy evening hours.

Peak gym volume arrives weekday evenings between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, when team workouts fill the central platforms and warm-up racks. If you prefer uncrowded racks and uninterrupted rest intervals, target mid-morning training slots between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, or early afternoon before the post-work rush. Weekend team sessions kick off Saturday mornings, creating high energy on the floor but limited open platform availability for casual visitors.

An honest verdict for visitors: skip the commercial machine cardio section, as cardio equipment here is limited strictly to assault bikes and rowers intended purely for warm-ups. If you are looking for plush locker rooms, steam saunas, or private towel attendants, this facility is not designed for you. However, if your training block calls for competition-spec racks, stiff barbells, and an environment that respects heavy lifting, Murder of Crows is unmatched in the borough.

Murder of Crows Barbell Club is conveniently reached via public transit, located just three blocks south of the Franklin Avenue C train subway station and a short walk from the Nostrand Avenue A and C stop. Street parking along Dean Street and neighboring Pacific Street is available but subject to standard alternate-side parking regulations.

If platform waiting times exceed thirty minutes during peak evening blocks, a solid local backup plan is to take a brisk walk west toward Washington Avenue and grab an espresso at Breukelen Coffee House before returning. Following training, athletes frequently recharge at local Crown Heights eateries along Franklin Avenue, where hearty protein bowls and Caribbean staples provide post-workout fuel steps away from the gym entrance.