Educational Media Reviews Online

Weight is a documentary beginning with the failure of Paulie Steinman to successfully squat his selected weight during the 2012 American Open Powerlifting Competition. Covering a one-year period in the life of Paulie and his wife Becca Weight shows the struggles they face as they try to establish a powerlifting gym in Brooklyn. Along the way they lose their home and are forced to live in a rental property they gradually turn into a successful powerlifting gym which brings hope and gives direction to others. Few in the gym are aware of the hardships faced by the Steinmans as they struggle to make their dream of a professional powerlifting gym a reality while initially living in the same space. The Steinmans do not complain about the living conditions they are forced to face while all of their money is being used to keep the gym afloat and creatively face the challenges the property presents to them. In a breakthrough moment Paulie realizes that holding their own competitions can be both a way of increasing business for the gym and preparing for a more successful 2013 American Open. Using their knowledge of powerlifting competitions the Steinman’s gym becomes the scene for monthly training competitions modelled on the Open Competitions. These monthly competitions are well received and soon their South Brooklyn Weightlifting Club becomes a center for powerlifting in the Brooklyn area. Living by the powerlifters’ motto of “you beat the weight or the weight beats you” Weight shows the struggles, but also the triumphs the Steinmans undergo while the South Brooklyn Weightlifting Club rises from its humble beginnings to a successful business operation through astute marketing and hard work to one of the premier powerlifting facilities in America.

The documentary is well done with excellent video and sound quality throughout. The extras are helpful, especially the portion where Becca narrates the action occurring in the video. A better product would have been achieved if some form of narration had accompanied the main feature. Given the unfamiliarity of many people with the powerlifting world a more interesting and informative story would have resulted from better narration, strengthening the overall effect. Unless the viewer is familiar with the powerlifting world the significance of what is achieved by the Steinmans will not be recognized.

Given the lack of a clear explanation of what is occurring a rating of recommended with reservations is given to what would otherwise be a superb and significant film. Despite the shortcomings, this is an inspirational film for entrepreneurial, business, and marketing courses and discussions. Of course sports fans familiar with weightlifting competition will be inspired as well.