Powerlifting is a strength sport that includes attempts at the basic three major max weights: Squat, bench press and hard pull. Just as in olympic weightlifting, the lifter attempts to lift a barbell in a single attempt to reach the maximum weight.
Powerlifting originated from a sport known as 'peculiar weightlifting', which followed the same three-attempt format but used a wider range of events, similar to the hercules competition. Eventually, it evolved into the three disciplines that are now standardised.
In competition, weight stands can be used with or without equipment (often referred to in the ipf as 'original' or 'classic' equipment). By "Equipment" We mean a squat/hard pull suit or shorts. In some leagues, knee pads are allowed in fully equipped areas but not in non-equipped areas; in other cases, weight belts, elbow pads, wrist straps and special footwear may be used but are not considered when distinguishing whether the equipment is worn or not when lifting.
Competitions are held all over the world. Weightlifting has been a paralympic sport (limited to the bench press) since 1984 and is also a world sport according to the international disability federation. Local, national and international competitions are also recognised by other federations that operate independently of the ipf.
Ipf (international powerlifting federation)
The international powerlifting federation was established at a later stage and therefore no powerlifting performance has yet been recorded in the world records. 1973 world championships were also held in york. This time there were only 47 participants: One swede, one puerto rican (peter fiore, a zambian), two canadians, one west indian, eight british and other americans. The umpires became more international, including tony fitton and terry jordan from the uk, canadians and zambians. Bob crist, an american, is the ipf president and clarence johnson, another american, is the vice-president.
In 1973, powerlifting was performed for the first time in the now accepted order - squat, bench press, hard pull (although still competed in pounds). The valuable mckenzie won his third world title, easily defeating american teenager lamar gant. There were 74 entrants, which made it a record. Starting with the 52kg class with nine lifters, the world powerlifting championships were held for the first time outside the usa at birmingham town hall in 1975, hosted by vic mercer and attended by 82 athletes. Unusually, in the competition, the super heavyweights started first. This was because the television company filming the event was only interested in filming the "Big guys". Hoffman provided a lot of equipment for the event, but did not take it back. Local legend says that birmingham and the west midlands are still using the equipment.
The ipf in 1973 led to the formation of the european powerlifting federation in 1974. Because of its close association with bodybuilding and the fact that women had been competing as bodybuilders for many years, this new sport was soon opened up to them. The first us national women's championships were held in 1978 and the ipf added women's competitions in 1979. In the usa, the amateur athletic act of 1978 stipulated that by november 1980 each olympic or potential olympic sport must have its own national governing body. As a result, the aau lost control of almost all amateur sports. The uspf was established in 1980 as the new national governing body for powerlifting in the usa. Soon, controversy over drug testing would lead to powerlifting splitting into multiple federations. In 1981, the american drug free powerlifting association, led by the bennett brothers, became the first federation to break away from the uspf, citing the need to implement effective drug testing in the sport. At the same time, many rules introduced drug testing at international competitions and required member countries to implement drug testing at national competitions as well. 1982 saw the introduction of drug testing to the ipf men's international championships, although there was no drug testing at the uspf championships that year.
The ipf's push for drug testing was resisted by some american athletes and in 1982 larry pacifico and ernie franz founded the united states powerlifting federation, which publicly stated its strong opposition to all drug testing
In 1987, scott taylor founded the american powerlifting association and the world powerlifting alliance. The apa and wpa offer both drug testing and non-testing events at most competitions. As of 2018, the wpa has over 50 member countries.
Ultimately, the uspf failed to comply with the requirements and was expelled from the international body in 1997 and replaced by the adfpa, now known as usa powerlifting. Despite the trend of more and more federations emerging, each with their own rules and standards, some powerlifters have tried to bring greater unity to the sport. For example, the 100% raw federation promoted equipment-free competitions in 2013 and merged with another federation, the anti-drug athletes federation. The revolutionary powerlifting federation, founded by gene rychlak in 2011, may also be seen as moving towards greater unity, as the rps breaks with tradition by charging athlete membership fees to specific federations, in addition to entry fees for each event. There are also event promoters who seek to bring together top competitors from different federations rather than limiting themselves to specific local, regional, national and international events of existing federations; a prominent example is the raw unity meet (rum), a gathering that has been held annually since 2007.
Development of equipment and rules
With the development of new equipment, people began to differentiate powerlifting from other disciplines. Weightlifting belts and knee bandages (initially simple ace bandages) preceded the sport of powerlifting, but in 1983, john inzell invented the first thing that was very different from previous powerlifters - the bench press shirt. The bench press shirt and the deep squat/hard pull set (which operate on the same principle) became ubiquitous in powerlifting, but only some leagues adopted the latest and most supportive canvas, denim and various polyester designs, while others such as the ipf maintained stricter rules on the use of supportive equipment. The hooked deep squat post was invented by ray madden and was first used in competition in 1992. This innovation has been adopted by some leagues and banned in others. Other inventions include dedicated deep squat and hard pull bars, moving away from ipf standards and using the same bar in all three competitions.
Levels and group settings
Classification by weight:
Most federations use the following weight classes:
Men: 52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 67.5kg, 75kg, 82.5kg, 90kg, 100kg, 110kg, 125kg, 140kg, 140kg+
Women:44kg, 48kg, 52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 67.5kg, 75kg, 82.5kg, 90kg, 90kg and over
However, in 2011, the ipf introduced the following new weight categories:
Ipf weight categories:
Men: Up to 53kg (junior/junior), 59kg, 66kg, 74kg, 83kg, 93kg, 105kg, 120kg, 120kg and above
Women: Up to 43kg (junior/junior), 47kg, 52kg, 57kg, 63kg, 72kg, 84kg, 84kg and above
Age groupings
This grouping, but common groupings are as follows:
15-18 years (junior), 19-23 years (junior), any age (open), 40+ years (masters)
The ipf uses the following age categories: Junior (18 and under), youth (19-23), open (24-39), masters (40-49), masters (50-59), masters (60-69), masters (70+). Age categories are based on the year of birth of the participants.
Powerlifting competitions :
Each athlete will compete in three separate events in the competition, namely the deep squat, bench press and hard pull. The athlete's score for each successful attempt will count towards the overall competition score. The competitor with the highest total score in each class wins the competition. In many competitions, the athlete with the highest total score relative to their weight class also wins. If two or more athletes have the same overall score, the lighter weight ranks higher than the heavier weight
The criteria used to differentiate the participants were the gender, weight and age of the athlete. This helps to ensure that lighter weight athletes like lamar gant are recognised for their achievements in the same way as eddie hall. Gant's hard pull is five times his body weight.
Using the restriction system also allows for comparison of scores between athletes and different weight classes. The world league uses a different calculation method. For masters (over 40) the mcculloch factor or the rescher factor is used. The winner is judged on the basis of the official coefficient used by the world weightlifting federation and is known as the best powerlifter.
At the 2016 world open powerlifting championships, the three best athletes were fedosienko sergei, samer bryan and oleh yarosław. The country with the most points was ukraine, who beat the second placed usa team by almost 100 points.
Deep squat event
Depending on the equipment used, there are two types:The regular bracket and the overhead hooked upright bracket. The former is known as the step-out squat and the latter is known as the overhead hook squat. Most tissues allow the overhead hook deep squat, whereas the ipf, ipl and wdfpf do not allow the overhead hook deep squat.
The competition starts with the athlete standing straight and the weight on the barbell falling on the athlete's shoulders. At the referee's command the squat begins. The athlete opens at the hips, bends his knees and drops to a full squat position with the hip crease (where the top of the leg folds over the torso) below the top of the knee. Then stands up to return to an upright position. At the judge's command, the bar is lowered back into the rack and the movement is complete.
Once the bar has been removed from the stand facing the front of the platform, the body is moved forward or backwards to establish the ready position. Position the bar no more than 3cm below the top of the anterior deltoid. Cross your shoulders, hold the bar firmly with both hands and/or fingers, and place your feet flat on the platform with your knees tucked in.
The athlete should wait in this position for the signal from the chief judge. Once ready, the signal will be given and the correct position of the control bar will be demonstrated. The head judge's gesture should include a downward movement of the arms and an audible "Squat" Command. On the signal from the head judge, the athlete must bend the knee and lower the body until the top of the leg at the hip is below the top of the knee.
The athlete must return to the upright position with knees locked at will without two bounces. The bar may stop, but there must be no downward movement during the period of standing up. When the athlete demonstrates a controlled final position, the head judge will signal completion and replace the barbell.
The signal to replace the bar will consist of a backward movement of the arm and the audible command "Up". The athlete must then make a reasonable attempt to put the barbell back on the rack.
The athlete should be facing the front of the stage, facing the head judge. The squat must not be held by the collar at any time during the run. However, the edge of the hand holding the bar tightly may come into contact with the inner surface of the collar.
There shall be no more than five or less than two guards on the platform at any one time. The athlete may remove the bar from the rack with the help of a protective person; however, once the bar is off the rack, the protective person should not assist the athlete. Protectors may assist in maintaining control of the movement in case the athlete trips or exhibits any obvious instability.
Only one start signal is allowed per attempted lift. If the attempt is not completed due to the failure of one or more protectors, the athlete may be given an additional attempt of the same weight at the discretion of the referee.
Penalty for failure
Failure to heed the signal given by the head judge at the start or completion of the movement. Two bounces or multiple recovery attempts at the bottom of the squat. The knees are locked and cannot be held in an upright position at the completion of the stance. Foot moves to the outside, backwards or forwards, unable to stabilise the body's. Cannot bend the knees and lower the body to the hip joint with the surface of the leg below the top of the knee. Any reset movement of the feet after a squatting movement. Contact with the bar between the referee's signals by the check protector. Contact between the elbow or upper arm and the leg. Failure to return the barbell properly to the stand. Any deliberate dropping or tilting of the barbell. Bench press program
Lying on the bench, the athlete raises the weighted barbell arm straight up and the athlete lowers the barbell to the chest. When the bar is stationary in front of the chest, the referee gives the command. The referee will then call "Rack" And the exercise is complete when the weight is returned to the rack.
The front of the bench press must be placed on the table facing the head judge.
The athlete must be lying on their back with their shoulders and hips in contact with the bench surface. The athlete's shoes or toes must remain in close contact with the platform or the floor. The position of the head is not specifically required.
To achieve a firm base, any height of brace and lying position is acceptable. Whichever method is chosen, the shoes must remain in solid contact with the ground.
No more than five and no less than two protectors are allowed. The athlete may be assisted by one or more designated protectors, or the bar may be removed from the stand with the help of a single person. Only the designated protector may remain on the platform at the start of the movement. The starting height must be at arm's length and not below the chest. The designated protector, who provides a central starting position, must immediately thereafter clear the area in front of the head judge and move to cover in either direction. If the protector does not immediately leave the bench press area or is in any way distracted or obstructed by the head judge, the head judge may rule the attempt unsuccessful and the referee will declare "Stop the attempt" And three red lights.
The hands should be no more than 81 cm apart, measured between the index fingers. The bar should have a machine mark or tape indicating this maximum grip distance. If an athlete uses an offset or uneven grip on the bar, placing one hand outside the mark or tape, it is the athlete's responsibility to explain this to the head judge and allow the grip to be checked prior to the attempt. Reverse or downward grips are forbidden, as is a thumb grip.
After receiving the club within the required range, the athlete should lower the club to his chest and wait for the referee to signal. The signal should be an audible command "Push" With the bar resting on the chest, as long as the bar is not so low that it touches the lifter's waistband.
Only one start signal is allowed at a time throughout the entire movement. On the signal, the bar is pushed upwards. The barbell must not sink or move down until the lifter has attempted to push upwards. The athlete will push the barbell to the length of their straightened arm and remain stationary until the command "Up" Can be heard. The bar may be moved horizontally or stopped on the way up, but may not be moved further down to the chest.
Penalty for failure
Failure to comply with the signals given by the referee during the completion of the movement. Any change in starting position that results in a change of contact between the hips and the bench or a lateral movement of the hands (between the referee's signals). Movement or change of position of the feet in contact with the ground during the course. On the referee's signal, allow the crossbar to enter the chest. Significant uneven extension of the arms during or on completion of the ascent. Any downward movement of the bar during being pushed out. Contact with the bar by the protector during the referee's signal. Any contact of the athlete's shoes with the bench press table or its supports. The use of contact between the bar and the bar stand uprights during the process to aid in the completion of the bench press. It is the responsibility of the competitor to inform any protection personnel to leave the platform as soon as the barbell is secured at an arm's length away. Failure of any protector to leave the platform area may result in the disqualification of this attempted lift. Hard pull event
In the hard pull, the athlete grasps the barbell placed on the floor of the platform. The lifter pulls the barbell up off the floor and stands up straight. The knees must be locked, the shoulders back and the barbell in the athlete's hands. The bar will be returned to the floor under the control of the athlete at the command of the referee.
The bar must be placed horizontally in front of the athlete's feet and the hands may be held as tightly as they wish until the athlete stands up straight. The bar may be stopped, but must have no downward movement.
The front of the platform should be faced during the hard pull. When the movement is complete, the knees should be locked in a straight position and the body should be upright. The signal from the head referee should be the "Down" Command. However, the bar should be stationary and the movement should be in an obvious finished position before the signal is given.
Penalty for failure
Any downward movement of the bar before it reaches its final position. Failure to stand up straight. Failure to keep the knees straight while completing the lift. Lifting above the thighs in the process. This position cannot be maintained without the balance of the barbell. The foot moves to the outside, backwards or forwards and cannot be kept steady. Lower the bar before receiving the signal from the head judge.