Powerlifting America Guidelines
Bodyweight Categories:
MEN
Sub-Junior & Junior only-up to 53.0 kg
59.0 kg Class up to 59.0 kg
66.0 kg Class from 59.01 kg up to 66.0 kg
74.0 kg Class from 66.01 kg up to 74.0 kg
83.0 kg Class from 74.01 kg up to 83.0 kg
93.0 kg Class from 83.01 kg up to 93.0 kg
105.0 kg Class from 93.01 kg up to 105.0 kg
120.0 kg Class from 105.01 kg up to 120.0 kg
120.0+ kg Class from 120.01 kg up to unlimited
WOMEN
Sub-Junior & Junior only-up to 43.0 kg
47.0 kg Class up to 47.0 kg
52.0 kg Class from 47.01 kg up to 52.0 kg
57.0 kg Class from 52.01 kg up to 57.0 kg
63.0 kg Class from 57.01 kg up to 63.0 kg
69.0 kg Class from 63.01 kg up to 69.0 kg
76.0 kg Class from 69.01 kg up to 76.0 kg
84.0 kg Class from 76.01 kg up to 84.0 kg
84.0+ kg Class from 84.01 kg up to unlimited
Youth Athlete Guidelines
Powerlifting America Welcomes Youth Athletes
Resistance training programs for both youth and teens have shown increased health benefits in addition to stronger performances in youth sports. Our main objective for our youth lifters is to have fun and an enjoyable experience while focusing on learning proper technique and form. This will translate to a positive experience and will help build confidence in our young athletes.
Youth Age Divisions
An athlete must be a minimum of 8 years of age by the day of competition.
Youth: 8-11 year old
Pre-Sub-Junior: 12-13 year old
**A Pre-Sub-Junior athlete may use their total to qualify for a Sub-Junior National or International competition. The Tertiary Junior athlete must be thirteen (13) years of age by the day of the Sub-Junior National competition and fourteen (14) years of age by the day of the International Sub-Junior competition they qualified for.**
Youth & Pre-Sub-Junior Weight Classes
Youth athletes will not have specific weight classes to compete in, only the Youth age division. Therefore, Youth Athletes will not be required to weigh-in but must be checked in no later than the close of the standard weigh-in period for the session they will be lifting in.
Pre-Sub-Junior Athletes will participate in weigh-ins as all other participants following the procedures of the IPF Technical Rules Book. This is done for the athletes future benefit in case they wish to use their total for qualifying purposes at another competition. The athlete will fall under the standard weight classes outlined in the IPF Technical Rules Book beginning with the lowest weight class listed below.
Female
Sub Junior & Junior up to 43kg
Male
Sub Junior & Junior up to 53kg
Youth & Pre-Sub-Junior Scoring Guidelines
Medals will be awarded based on the athlete's number of successful attempts, not the weight lifted.
Gold - 8 or 9 successful attempts
Silver - 6 or 7 successful attempts
Bronze - 4 or 5 successful attempts
- 3 or less successful attempts and their parent or coach should be publicly shamed ;) lol
All weights for each attempt will be recorded in the lifting database for the athlete’s reference, However, there will not be official record placements tracked. This is to help our youth lifters focus on the quality of their lifting and not breaking or setting records.
Youth & Pre-Sub-Junior Weigh-in Guidelines
Youth athletes will not be weighed in but must be checked in no later than the close of the standard weigh-in period for the session they will be lifting in.
Pre-Sub-Junior athletes will participate in weigh-ins as all other participants following the procedures of the IPF Technical Rules Book , with the following exceptions.
They will be in their singlet and t-shirt that they will be wearing on the platform
They will be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
This is Highly recommended for all athletes under the age of 18
There will be two (2) official Powerlifting America referees as current members in good standing in the weigh-in room
If a photo ID is not available a copy of their birth certificate is sufficient
Pre-Sub-Junior weigh-ins are done for the athletes future benefit. If they wish to use their total for qualifying purposes at another competition they will need to have a recorded body weight to receive a legitimate total. The athlete will fall under the standard weight classes outlined in the IPF Technical Rules Book beginning with the lowest weight class listed in the Youth & Pre-Sub-Junior Weight Classes section from above.
Youth & Pre-Sub-Junior Drug Testing
These athletes are not subject to drug testing.
Youth & Pre-Sub-Junior Personal Equipment
These athletes will follow the same personal equipment guidelines stated in the IPF Technical Rules Book. Youth lifters will compete in the Raw category Only.
Youth & Pre-Sub-Junior Lifting Equipment & Weight Increments
Youth lifters can use a lighter barbell, to be weighed and labeled before the competition. Full size bumper plates can be used for deadlifts to provide the consistent height needed to pull the bar from the floor.
Pre-Sub-Junior athletes competing will be required to use the equipment with the specifications outlined by the IPF Technical Rules Book. This is also for the athletes future benefit if they wish to use their total for qualifying purposes at another competition. They will need to have done so by the specifications of the rule book. If a Pre-Sub-Junior athlete is unable to use the standard equipment due to safety or strength reasons then their body weight will not be recorded in the competition results and they will be scored based on their performance and not the weight lifted as the Youth athletes. This will also void any total they may have received for future use.
Youth and Pre-Sub-Junior can enter a minimum attempt increment of 0.5 kg for any attempt of any lift. All other standard rules apply.