Romanian Mountain Weightlifting Camp with Olympic Coach Gabriel Sincraian

A typical day starts around 07:30 with breakfast, then the first session at 09:00. Mornings are technique-focused: snatch variations, clean & jerk variations, and positional drills, with Gabriel stopping the group to correct individual lifters between sets. Sessions run 90 to 120 minutes depending on the day. Lunch is back at the hotel around 13:00, followed by free time — most people nap, stretch, or walk into the village.

The second session starts around 16:30 and is heavier: squats, pulls, presses, and posterior-chain work. These sessions are where the Level 2 camp separates itself — loads are programmed individually and athletes are expected to hit real numbers, not just move well. Some evenings include video analysis, where your lifts from the day are broken down frame by frame against a model of the technique Gabriel coaches.

What makes this different from a generic lifting holiday is who's coaching it. Gabriel Sincraian competed at two Olympic Games for Romania and won medals at the European Championships. He now coaches full-time and runs these camps several times a year. Because the group is kept small, you get the same attention you'd get from one-on-one coaching, but within a group of lifters at roughly your level. Level 1 and Level 2 are deliberately separated so beginners aren't left behind and experienced lifters aren't held back.

The venues are both in the Carpathian mountains. Cheile Grădiștei sits in a valley near Bran, about 30 minutes from Brașov, with the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului ranges on either side. Poiana Brașov is a ski resort at around 1,020m, surrounded by pine forest. Both have hotel accommodation, a spa or sauna, and a restaurant on site, and both are quiet in the shoulder seasons when the camps run — which is exactly why they work.

Off the platform, there's not much organised. That's deliberate: the schedule is built around recovery. You can hike, swim, use the sauna, or get a massage at the hotel. Most people eat, sleep, and lift. If you want a sightseeing holiday, this isn't it — but Brașov's old town, Bran Castle, and the Transfăgărășan road are within reach if you extend your stay.

A camp week runs Sunday to Saturday in most cases, with six training days and one rest day, though the exact structure shifts slightly camp to camp. You'll get a full itinerary and a kit list once you've booked. Bring your own belt, shoes, and wrist wraps; straps and chalk are usually available on site but it's worth checking before you travel.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation at the mountain hotel - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily - Two coached training sessions per day - Video analysis sessions - Coaching from Gabriel Sincraian and assistant coaches - Access to gym and training facilities - Wi-Fi at the hotel - Sauna and spa access at the hotel

What's not included

- International and domestic flights - Airport transfers (arranged on request) - Travel and medical insurance - Personal training equipment (belt, shoes, wraps) - Massages and spa treatments outside hotel facilities - Drinks and personal expenses - Optional excursions