- "Powerlifting is a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift."
Powerlifting involves performing three different types of lifts—squat, bench press, and deadlift—to test one's maximal strength.
Squat: A compound movement that involves lifting a loaded barbell from shoulder level to hip level while standing.
Bench press: A compound movement that involves lifting a loaded barbell while lying on a bench, lowering it to the chest, and pushing it back up.
Deadlift: A compound movement that involves lifting a loaded barbell off the floor to a standing position.
Programming: The process of designing a training program that suits an individual's goals, physical capabilities, and limitations.
Accessory exercises: Supplementary exercises that target specific muscle groups and assist the main lifts.
Warm-up: A series of exercises that prepare the body for the main lifts, reduce the risk of injury, and improve performance.
Cool-down: A series of exercises that reduce heart rate, promote recovery, and prevent muscle soreness after a workout.
Periodization: The process of dividing a training program into distinct phases with different goals, intensities, and volumes.
Strength standards: A set of objective benchmarks that indicate a lifter's level of strength relative to their body weight and sex.
Progressive overload: The principle of gradually increasing the weight, reps, sets, or intensity of an exercise to continuously challenge the body and stimulate adaptions.
Form: The proper technique and biomechanics of the main lifts, which not only maximizes performance but also reduces the risk of injury.
Equipment: The type and quality of gear that affects safety, comfort, and performance, such as shoes, belts, wraps, sleeves, and chalk.
Nutrition: The dietary habits and principles that optimize energy, recovery, and body composition for lifting, such as calorie intake, macronutrient ratios, hydration, and supplementation.
Recovery: The strategies and techniques that enhance the body's ability to repair and regenerate after lifting, such as sleep, rest, massage, stretching, and mobility.
Competition: The rules, format, and expectations of Powerlifting meets, which determine the validity and ranking of lifts and lifters.
- "Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts', which followed the same three-attempt format but used a wider variety of events, akin to strongman competition."
- "In competition, lifts may be performed equipped or un-equipped (typically referred to as 'classic' or 'raw' lifting in the IPF specifically)."
- "Equipment in this context refers to a supportive bench shirt or squat/deadlift suit or briefs."
- "In some federations, knee wraps are permitted in the equipped but not un-equipped division; in others, they may be used in both equipped and un-equipped lifting."
- "Weight belts, knee sleeves, wrist wraps, and special footwear may also be used."
- "Competitions take place across the world."
- "Powerlifting has been a Paralympic sport (bench press only) since 1984."
- "Under the IPF, powerlifting is also a World Games sport."
- "Local, national, and international competitions have also been sanctioned by other federations operating independently of the IPF."
- "Powerlifting is a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift."
- "In competition, lifts may be performed equipped or un-equipped (typically referred to as 'classic' or 'raw' lifting in the IPF specifically)."
- "Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts', which followed the same three-attempt format but used a wider variety of events, akin to strongman competition."
- "Equipment in this context refers to a supportive bench shirt or squat/deadlift suit or briefs."
- "Powerlifting has been a Paralympic sport (bench press only) since 1984."
- "Weight belts, knee sleeves, wrist wraps, and special footwear may also be used, but are not considered when distinguishing equipped from un-equipped lifting."
- "Powerlifting has been a Paralympic sport (bench press only) since 1984."
- "In competition, lifts may be performed equipped or un-equipped (typically referred to as 'classic' or 'raw' lifting in the IPF specifically)."
- "Under the IPF, powerlifting is also a World Games sport."
- "Local, national, and international competitions have also been sanctioned by other federations operating independently of the IPF."