VSC 2025 Divisions
COMMUNITY OVER COMPETITION
Last year, we spent a lot of time crafting the VSC divisions that properly represent the people who will be competing on the day.
Spoiler alert…it was heaps of fun and everyone loved it!
So, rather than using a standardised system which separates competitors by binary gender, we’ve decided to stick to our guns and further promote inclusivity within sport and competition.
Divisions for our VSC event have been be crafted using two main metrics;
training experience
and skill level
In other words, you’ll be allowed to choose which division best suits your current skills and experience level with our VSC comp lifts!
THE VSC SPIRIT
On the day, you’ll be “competing” against others in your division specifically, which should make for some fun match-ups!
However, the spirit of the VSC is less about topping the division and more about victory over yourself.
Intentional inclusivity within our VSC comp allows everyone the opportunity to get involved with competition and work towards VSC glory!
THE 2025 VSC DIVISIONS:
Novice Division:
First time in the VSC? The Novice Division is perfect for you!
The Novice Division allows folks new to strength training to work towards their first chin-up whilst refining other movements in The VSC such as The Barbell Deadlift and Kettlebell Snatch.
There is no assumed experience with the three VSC movements other than our most recent class programs making it ideal for those looking to make their VSC debut!
The programming for Novice athletes is straight forward whilst also reflective of these goals
Have fun, cheer on your mates and knock em’ dead!
Classic Division:
The Classic Division is the perfect challenge for those who have spent a few months or more in group classes and are wanting to take their strength to the next level!
If you’ve have broken the back of your first Chin-up and want to test your fitness with heavier bell sizes in the Kettlebell Snatch, this one is for you.
The programming is a bit more advanced and there is assumed understanding and competency with all three movements (deadlift, snatch and chin-up).
Take on the challenge and kick ass!
Comp Division:
The Comp Division experience is as exactly as it sounds providing the strongest challenge in The VSC.
Folks in this division should already be using heavier bells with their Kettlebell Snatch and have a few good reps of the pull-up in their back pocket.
Programming is advanced and there is a assumed knowledge and experience with all the VSC lifts. Generally, to support the lifts in this division, a higher time commitment to your training is expected here!
It is ideal for those who have been training for a good while and are looking for the perfect program to peak their lifts in a “competition environment”.
This one is a “full send”, let’s get nerdy with it!
So, who is the winner then?
The Valkyrie Strength Challenge is a challenge, not a competition.
And it always has been since it’s inception in 2019.
The ‘point’ of participating in the VSC has never been about pitching up against your neighbour to battle it out to see who gets the highest scoring total.
There are already plenty of places where you can compete and crush your competition.
However, The VSC stands in a league of it’s own…
Instead, the vibe is more like - you and that neighbour schedule your sessions together and hold each other accountable for hitting your attendance goals, all whilst progressing with your lifts along the way.
The training for the VSC can be challenging at times and when you’ve had a big day at work, knowing your mate is there for you can make all the difference.
Then comes “comp day” and whilst it can be difficult to celebrate our own success, when our nearest and dearest hit an all-time PR, well, that’s the sauce!
For us, that’s “winning”. And that’s what the VSC is all about.
It’s you, it’s me. It’s our humble community. Taking pride in our work and celebrating strength together.
The divisions are a guide…
Divisions help organise our thoughts, intentions and goals for the six weeks of training. And it’s important that we, as coaches, provide guidelines that are both doable yet challenging.
The divisions don’t hold you accountable to your bodyweight or your gender.
Unlike average gym challenges, we’ve abolished all mention of bodyweight and gender throughout the VSC, to provide meaningful space for everyone to get strong, without adding to the mental load of living an authentic life.
You make your own metrics!
This year, your coach will ask you before writing your program what’s really important to you in this years’ VSC.
Maybe you’re looking to improve the consistency of your attendance.
Maybe you’re really focusing on taking on some coaching and improving your form to be a strength technician!
Or perhaps, the idea of “The Big Day” really excites you and your keen to see what’s on the other side of getting out of your comfort zone in front on your peers…
Your coach (Alice or Hugo) will consider how they can rally with these metrics in mind, and will focus their coaching/ programming on what’s important to you.
If you aren’t so fussed on getting the biggest deadlift ever but you really want to be a morning person, that’s what your coach will keep an eye on.
That’s how you win.
That’s why you’re the winner in all of this.
And that’s the VSC 2025 vibe.
