USA Powerlifting: About
In today’s post we’ll be doing an in depth look at the sport of powerlifting, the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) organization, and what you can do to get involved in the sport.
Powerlifting is an old sport dating as far back as the time of the ancient Greeks where the traditions of strength training first began. While small aspects of the sport have changed over the years, it largely remains the same and accessible for anyone wanting to test their strength or improve it.
In the United States, the main body for all things powerlifting is the USAPL. The USAPL is responsible for the organization of athletes at a competitive level, the regulation of the type of lifting discipline (Squat, Bench Press, Deadlift), and the enforcement of drug-free competition. The USAPL organizes competitions at a national level and coordinates with the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) for championships at the international level as well. The goal of the USAPL is to ensure that equal opportunity and high level competition are available to all athletes who wish to participate, and they’ve been doing this since their founding in the 1970’s
The squat is the first lift performed in a powerlifting meet. The term “SBD” stands for the order in which a lifter attempts - squat, bench, and deadlift.
Contrary to popular belief, a high arch in the midback in a bench press is desired! This decreases the amount of space the bar needs to travel.
Pictured is a sumo deadlift! This variant is very common among powerlifters with shorter levers.
If powerlifting is a sport that grabs your curiosity but you are not exactly sure how to get started, the USAPL provides excellent resources on where to get started as well as locations that are USAPL supported to help get you on the right track. Already a powerlifter but want to contribute to those wanting to learn? The USAPL has a coaching certification program that will allow you to teach and share your skills to coach at any level. Details on the coaching certification program can be found here.
Although the USAPL are not the only federation in the United States, they offer the clearest pathway to national grade pathways. Interested in Powerlifting? Have any burning questions for someone in the sport? Dr. Raines practices the sport himself and is an excellent resource to point you in the right direction, so be sure to ask him next time you’re in the office!