Powerlifting standards (sum of three exercises)

This article discusses standards tables for powerlifting in 2022 without equipment. Every athlete, regardless of their level of training, should focus on their strength indicators. The standards of three powerlifting federations are presented, in particular AWPC, IPF and WPC.

Athletes must complete 3 exercises in the overall competition:

• Bench press;
• Squats;
• Deadlift.

The athlete must perform the exercise with the maximum possible weight, which is required in order for the best result of 3 repetitions to be recorded in the final total.

Conditions for compliance with standards

1. The sports title of MSMK is carried out at sports competitions that have a status no lower than other international sports competitions included in the EKP (a unified calendar plan of interregional, all-Russian and international physical education events and sports events). 2. The sports title of MS is carried out at sports competitions with a status not lower than the championship of the federal district, two or more federal districts, championships of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Subject to random doping control and the presence on the platform of three sports judges who have the qualification category of a sports judge “sports judge of the All-Russian category.” 3. The sports title of Candidate of Masters is achieved at sports competitions that have a status not lower than the championship of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation. If there is on the platform one sports judge who has the qualification category of a sports judge “sports judge of the All-Russian category”, and two sports judges who have the qualification category of a sports judge “sports judge of the first category”. 4. I sports category is performed at sports competitions that have a status no lower than other official sports competitions of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation. 5. II-III sports categories, youth sports categories are performed at official sports competitions of any status. 6. Norms in sports disciplines containing the word “eventing” in their names are performed only by the sum of three exercises (squats, bench press, deadlift). 7. Russian championships, all-Russian sports competitions included in the EKP, among persons with an upper age limit, championships of the federal district, two or more federal districts, championships of Moscow, St. Petersburg, championships of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation, other official sports competitions of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation, among persons with an upper age limit, are held in age groups: juniors, juniors (19-23 years); boys, girls (14-18 years old). 8. Municipal championships and other official sports competitions of the municipality among persons with an upper age limit are held in the following age groups: juniors, juniors (19-23 years); boys, girls (14-18 years old); boys, girls (12-13 years old). 9. To participate in sports competitions, an athlete must reach the established age in the calendar year of the sports competition. 10. MSMK is awarded from the age of 17, MS - from the age of 16, CMS - from the age of 14, I-III sports categories and youth sports categories - from the age of 12.

Standards for powerlifting federations AWPC and WPC

AWPC (Amateur World Powerlifting Congress)

Without equipment

Men

Women

Single layer equipment

Men

Women

Multilayer equipment

Men

Women

WPC (World Powerlifting Congress)

Without equipment

Men

Women

Single layer equipment

Men

Women

Multilayer equipment

Men

Women

Standards for powerlifting federations WRPF and WEPF

WRPF (World RAW Powerlifting Federation)

Amateurs undergoing doping control

Without equipment

Men

Women

Classic powerlifting

Men

Women

Amateurs without doping control

Without equipment

Men

Women

Classic powerlifting

Men

Women

WEPF (World Equipped Powerlifting Federation)

Amateurs undergoing doping control

In single layer clothing

Men

Women

In multi-layered clothing

Men

Women

Amateurs without doping control

In single layer clothing

Men

Women

In multi-layered clothing

Men

Women

A Brief History of Powerlifting

This sport began to take shape in the mid-twentieth century in the West, where standard barbell exercises became increasingly popular among weightlifters seeking to improve their strength. By the mid-60s, the first powerlifting competitions with specific rules began to be held. In 1972, the IPF, the International Powerlifting Federation, was founded, and a year later the first world championship was held. Women began to participate in competitions 7 years later - in 1980. WPC - World Powerlifting Congress was founded in 1986, and later other international organizations related to powerlifting began to appear.

In 1963, powerlifting was included in the Paralympic Games as "weightlifting", and in 1992 it was introduced into the program under its own name. Athletes from 115 countries come to the World Powerlifting Championships, including participants from post-Soviet states, although in the USSR this sport was not recognized for a long time, supplementing it with various exercises and calling it “athletic gymnastics.” It was important that in addition to strength, an athlete in this sport had a beautiful physique.

In the USSR, only in the 70s did powerlifting provisions begin to be developed and the first amateur competitions were held, and in the 80s - official ones. Weightlifting became a recognized sport in the USSR in 1987, and in 1990 it was divided into bodybuilding and powerlifting, the difference between which was recognized. In the same year, the USSR Powerlifting Federation was formed, which became a member of the IPF.

IPF Federation Powerlifting Standards (IPF)

In equipment

Men

Women

Without equipment (classical eventing)

Men

Women

Exercises

The most stringent and benchmark requirements for performing movements are presented by the rules of the IPF federation.

Athletes perform exercises only after the judge’s command. The approach is not counted if the athlete performed the movement without a signal.

Squats

• The depth of the squat is specified by the rules. The hip joint should be below the knee
• You can perform a squat only on the judge’s command.
• It is not allowed to drop the barbell from your back during the approach.
• The barbell on the back is located not lower than the level specified by the rules
• The width of the legs is arbitrary

Bench press

• In the bench press, the judge gives 3 commands: “Start”, “Press”, “Stands”. After the “Start” command, the athlete lowers the barbell to his chest, pauses, and waits for the “Press” command. After the “Press” command, he presses the barbell with outstretched arms and fixes the lifted weight. On the command “Racks”, he independently returns the barbell to the racks.
• It is forbidden to lift your head, shoulder blades, or buttocks from the bench.
• It is forbidden to press in the “beat”.
• The maximum permissible grip width is marked on the bar.
• It is strictly forbidden to bench press with an open grip.

Deadlift

• The exercise begins when the athlete is ready. Lowering onto the platform - at the command of the judge
• Traction in straps and hooks is not allowed
• The width of the legs and the width of the grip are as comfortable as for the athlete.
• Sumo or classic deadlifts allowed
• It is not allowed to support the bar with your thighs

In alternative federations, the rules and restrictions are not as strict and the requirements for performing exercises may differ.

RDFPF Powerlifting Standards

Men

Women

Men veterans

Women veterans

Standards for powerlifting federations WUAP and WUAP PRO

WUAP (World United Amateur Powerlifting)

Without equipment

Men

Women

In equipment

Men

Women

WUAP PRO

Without equipment

Men

Women

In equipment

Men

Women

AGPC/GPC Federation Powerlifting Standards

AGPC

Without equipment

Men

Women

In multi-layered clothing

Men

Women

GPC

Without equipment

Men

Women

In multi-layered clothing

Men

Women

Write in the comments what rank or title in powerlifting you can apply for now.

Age categories in powerlifting

Age categories in powerlifting depend on affiliation with a particular federation, but the averages are as follows:

15-19, 20-23, 24-39, 40+

The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) uses the following age categories: sub-junior (18 and younger), junior (19-23), open (24-39), masters 1 (40-49), masters 2 (50-59), masters 3 (60-69), and masters 4 (70+). The age category in powerlifting depends on the athlete's date of birth. For example, if a participant turns 18 in January, they will still remain in the sub-junior category until the end of the current calendar year.