Frequently Asked Question's
General
How do I qualify?
You do not need to Qualify for local USA Powerlifting Events. All lifters are welcome, ages 8 and up!
What time should I arrive and where do I go?
Typically lifters should arrive 2.5 hours before scheduled lifting start time. Please check your individual event schedule for details under Athlete Information.
Can I have people help me in warm up room?
Only one coach per lifter allowed in lifter area. No friends, teammates, etc in warmup room. Only lifters and coaches please.
General Admission - how does it work?
Check your individual Event Information page for Admissions information.
What time should spectators arrive?
Please see schedule on Event Information Page.
Can Session 1 Spectators/Lifters stay for Session 2?
Please see schedule on Event Information Page.
What to Expect on Meet Day
STEP 1: Check-in (2.5 hours before lifting starts)
REGISTRATION: You will check in at the registration table, present your Photo ID and your USA Powerlifting Card. You will get a lifter wrist band, your free t-shirt, and a slip of paper to write your openers and rack heights on. You will take this with you to weigh-ins. (Registration begins 30 minutes prior to weigh-ins).
If your meet offers Early Check-in, you will also be able to get your rack heights at that time. (Check your meet Athlete Information page)
STEP 2: Equipment Check (2.5 hours before lifting starts)
EQUIPMENT CHECK: After registration make your way to the equipment check table. Your lifting gear (singlets, t-shirts, knee sleeves, etc) will be inspected by referees and approved prior to the start of the competition. We need to see everything you plan to wear on the platform. Please see Lifter Attire section for what constitutes legal attire in USA Powerlifting. All items worn on the platform should be clean and in good repair.
If your meet offers Early Check-in, you will also be able to get your rack heights at that time.
STEP 3: Rack Heights (Anytime prior to weigh-ins)
While waiting to weigh in, get your rack heights for both squat and bench. You will want to have this written on attempt/rack height paper. If you don't state a specific safety height, we will set men's to 4 and women's to 3. We will be using an TSS Rack for this competition.
You can get your rack heights at anytime prior to weigh-ins.
If your meet offers Early Check-in, you will also be able to get your rack heights at that time.
STEP 4: Weigh-ins (2 hours before lifting starts)
Bring your PhotoID, Openers, and Rack heights. Wear something easy to take off for weigh-ins, there are lifters waiting, so the quicker you (and your fellow competitors) can get in and out of weigh-ins, the faster you can eat and prepare for your competition.
Be on time to weigh-ins! The Referee will call you, by name, in order of your assigned Lot Number, NOT by when you show up. A lot number is a randomly assigned number given to each athlete, within each session. You can find your lot number on the roster. If you are not present when you are called, you will go to the back of the weigh-in line. Weigh-in Order will be printed and posted near weigh-in area.
Lifters 14 yrs old and up, the most you can wear to weigh-in is singlet, t-shirt, socks and undergarments.
Youth lifters (8-13yo) must wear singlet, t-shirts, socks and be accompanied by parent or guardian.
Lifters under the age of 18yo will have two referees in weigh-in room.
Drug Testing
Will I be drug tested?
If you enter this event, you may be selected to be drug tested. Lifters are notified by the Drug Testing Officer (DCO) generally at the completion of the lifting session. If you have completed all your attempts and want to leave prior to the awards ceremony, you must check in with the DCO to make sure you have not been selected for drug testing. This includes if you have weighed in and decided not to lift, injured yourself during the competition and withdraw or bomb, you are still in the drug testing pool.
Failure to be available when called for drug testing will be considered a doping failure.
I am taking medication prescribed by my doctor. Is that ok?
Medications prescribed by your doctor may be considered a prohibited substance. You must check all your medications. If the medication is prohibited, it may be allowed by receiving a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
Check your medications here: GlobalDRO
Where can I find information on Anti-Doping?
Please check out the USA Powerlifting's Anti-Doping page to find more resources.
Rules
USA Powerlifting Rules
Please go to our RULES page. Read rulebook, competition rules, points of performance and please watch rules briefing videos!
What can I wear on the platform?
All competitors must wear
one piece lifting suit or a wrestling singlet
shoes
T-Shirt for Squat and Bench (not required on deadlift)
knee high socks for deadlifting (must cover entire length of shin up to knee)
Please review the USA Powerlifting Rulebook for appropriate lifting attire. Your equipment must meet the rulebook specifications.
How are weigh-ins conducted?
Weigh-ins are conducted in a private room with a USA Powerlifting State Referee.
The lifter has the option of weighing in in the nude, wearing only underwear, OR wearing a singlet and/or t-shirt. No clothing weight allowance is subtracted (except as noted about opposite-sex referees performing weighins). Previously, non-youth lifters couldn't weigh in wearing a singlet or t-shirt
Weigh-ins are conducted by 'Lot Numbers.' A lot number is a randomly assigned number to each athlete, within each session.
When it is time for your weigh-ins, be there when it starts. The Referee will call you in order of your assigned Lot Number, NOT by when you show up. If you are not present when you are called, you will go to the back of the weigh-in order.
Can I set American Records at this meet?
American records can only be set at State level meets or higher. See State Meet website for details regarding American Records at Georgia State Championships.
You CAN set STATE records at any USA Powerlifting sanctioned meet. These will will automatically be credited once results are uploaded into the results database.
Can I wear X shirt, singlet, etc?
Please check here, we have specific guidelines for what you can wear on the platform.
Please see Section 3 of the USA Powerlifting Rulebook
Logos and Emblems (section 3.3)
3.3.1. In this section, “Apparel” refers to anything worn by the lifter during competition.
3.3.2. Apparel may be plain (i.e., of a single/multi-color fabric with no logos or emblems).
3.3.3. Apparel may bear the logo or emblem (no size restriction) of:
A. Lifter or coach’s nation
B. Lifter or coach’s name
i. The use of a nickname is permitted on apparel as long as it is:
a. Not derogatory or offensive in any way. This includes consideration of other countries, cultures, and languages.
b. Written in English, the common language for all officials.
c. Note: Athletes must be mindful of the impact of the nickname. If there is doubt by an official whether the nickname may be offensive, it will not be permitted on the platform.
C. Current USA Powerlifting event or any previous USA Powerlifting event
D. USA Powerlifting
E. USA Powerlifting corporate sponsors*
F. Lifter or coach’s registered USA Powerlifting club name or logo (Note: All club logos are subject to approval including variations of such logos)*
G. Lifter or coach’s registered USA Powerlifting affiliate gym (Note: All affiliate gym logos are subject to approval including variations of such logos)*
H. Official high school and collegiate logos
I. United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard, and Reserves branch logos (or the equivalent in other countries).
J. Apparel manufacturer
K. Commodity sportswear brands (e.g., Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Asics, Champion) *Note: A regularly updated list with approved logos/emblems from Items E, F, G above will be maintained and made accessible via the National Website.
3.3.4. A lifter may use masking tape generally consistent in color with the apparel it is applied to in order to obscure a non-approved logo or emblem so as to render the item in conformity with the rules.
3.3.5. Note: Effective June 6, 2020 (by USA Powerlifting Executive Committee decision), all products manufactured by the company METAL are banned in USA Powerlifting. METAL products, logos, emblems, etc. may not be used/worn in competition.
Lifting
What are constitutes a "GOOD" Lift and what are the reasons for failures?
Please see our Lifter Briefing videos in "Lifter's Corner" section of this website.
How do I know if my lift was good?
We have three referees judging your lift. Two side referees and the Chief referee. Each referee will judge your lift according to the rules. A white light is good lift, red light is failed lift. You must get at least two white lights for the lift to pass. (majority rules)
Can I change weight classes?
Yes. However, we ask that if you don't think you will make your weight class please let us know as soon as possible. Changing your weight class may put you in a different flight, or even a different session.
Please use the Athlete Change Form on your meet Athlete Information page to register a new weight class. Some meets have deadline for weight class changes. See individual meet information.
Can I break American Records at this competition?
American records can only be set at State level meets or higher.
You CAN set STATE records and any USA Powerlifting sanctioned meet. These will will automatically be credited once results are uploaded into the results database.
Can I use Baby Powder on deadlifts?
Yes. However, we ask that you
Please only apply baby powder on the designated area only, provided in warmup room and by the platform.
Please be careful! Baby powder is messy, hard to clean off floors, and very slippery. We ask that you are considerate of all fellow lifters and volunteers who need to clean afterwards.
When do I get my rack heights?
You need your rack heights before you weigh-in.
Each meet may have different platform equipment. Check your Athlete Information page for the platform equipment information.
You can measure your rack heights at early equipment check-in, before weigh-ins on day of, or at TruBorn Strong gym in Alpharetta.
What does Raw vs. Equipped lifting mean?
Raw/Unequipped lifting is defined in USA Powerlifting competition as using only the following gear and accessories as previously described above:
Non-supportive singlet (REQUIRED)
T-shirt (REQUIRED) - ONLY CREW NECK - no V-neck or Scoop neck
Underwear (REQUIRED) - NO Compression types
Socks - Knee High REQUIRED for deadlift
Shoes (REQUIRED) - Close toe athletic shoes, NO "toe" shoes
Belt
Wrist wraps
Single-ply neoprene knee sleeves without attaching and/or tightening mechanisms like Velcro, clips, or straps.
Equipped Lifters wear single-ply squat suits, bench shirts, and deadlift suits.