Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s):
- Do I have to become a member of a federation to compete in USA Powerlifting events?
Yes, you must have a current USA Powerlifting membership to compete in our sanctioned events. Register online at www.usapowerlifting.com.
- How long does my membership last?
Memberships are good until Dec 31 of the year you purchase it. You must renew every year.
- Is there a special uniform I have to wear to compete in a USA Powerlifting event?
Yes, you must wear a one piece lifting suit (singlet). More detailed information can be found in the lifters handbook at http://www.usapowerlifting.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/USAPowerliftingHandbook-June-2016-Revision.pdf
- Can I compete in a different state than which I am living?
Yes, if your membership is current, you may compete in any USA Powerlifting sanctioned event in any state (unless otherwise stipulated by the meet director).
- If I live in Texas, and compete in an event in Arizona, can I set state records in Arizona?
No, you are eligible to set state records for the state in which you are registered with the National office. When you become a member of USA Powerlifting, you register with an address. This address is your state of residency and this will be the state you can set state records for. If you live in Texas and compete in Arizona, you can set records for Texas.
- What is Raw and Equipped powerlifting?
Raw lifting is when the lifter wears only a non-supportive lifting suit, belt, knee sleeves and wrist wraps during a competition.
Equipped lifting is when the lifter wears supportive equipment such as a bench shirt, squat suit and deadlift suit during competition.
- How do I qualify to compete in a National level competition?
You must lift in a USA Powerlifting sanctioned event and achieve the required total in your age and weight class to be eligible to compete in a National event. Qualifying totals can be found here: http://www.usapowerlifting.com/lifters-corner/qualifying-totals/
- If I notice a problem with a record, whom do I contact?
Please contact your State Chair if you see a problem in the records.
- How do I qualify to compete in a Regional competition?
You must obtain a total in a USA Powerlifting sanctioned event in the year leading up to the Regional event. At this time, there are no qualifying totals. You cannot have “bombed out” of an event. You must have achieved a total of any number.
10. What ages can compete in USA Powerlifting events?
The minimum age to compete is 8 years old. There is no maximum age.
11. What events can I set American Records at?
You can set American records at the State Championships, Regional competitions and National Competitions.
12. Where can I find information about a National competition?
As information is gathered for each national competition it will be added to their own official website. You can find the dates for events on the calendar on www.usapowerlifting.com
13.Why are some of the qualifying totals higher for the Raw Nationals than Equipped Nationals?
The qualifying totals were adjusted based on totals achieved at Raw National last year. There was a formula put together to determine the new qualifying totals (not done by me). Because Raw lifting is in a major growth spurt, it was necessary to increase the totals to ensure the event involves a majority of elite level lifters. Regionals was then developed to accommodate those who will not be eligible to compete in Raw Nationals.
14. How do we form a team?
You’ll need to pick a team name and if you want, a team logo. You don’t have to have a logo. If you do come up with a logo, you’ll want to upload that into the team registration form.
Then gather the full names and USA Powerlifting numbers of all your team members. Their names must match how they are listed on their USA Powerlifting cards. You won’t be able to register your team with put this info. You can add people anytime during the year if you want to grow your team.
There is a yearly fee to USA Powerlifting per each team. This will allow your team to compete as a team at ANY USA Powerlifting event during the year. This expires Dec 31 of each year (no matter when you register). The membership is a year from Jan through Dec each year. You’ll get a cool team banner to hang in your gym with your registration.
It’s important to note, once a member joins your team, they can not change teams until the next year. They can leave the team but they can become a member of a different team in that year.
Most meets will have a team option. This will usually require a meet registration fee. This is different than the membership fee. One person from the team will pay this when they register for the event. I usually divide the fee between my team members so it just becomes a couple bucks from each person. But that’s up to you how you do it. Just make sure to designate one person to register the team when they register for the event.