If you’re looking for information on how to choose the right Powerlifting Federation for you, check out our article on the subject.
If you prefer to watch rather than read:
The following page will contain tables that allow you to quickly and easily visually compare the various Powerlifting federations and their rules.
You can find both the links to the main homepage and rulebook of every Powerlifting federation mentioned in the tables below right here.
You can find the glossary for the tables here.
International Powerlifting Federations
Note: I did not mention membership fees for any of these federations because, generally speaking, you’ll need a membership to each of these federations’ local affiliates rather than obtaining one through them directly. Once you have a membership in the local affiliate, you’ll likely need to qualify for their international level contests.
National Powerlifting Federations (U.S.A.)
*Federations marked with a star have separate divisions for those using knee wraps and those using knee sleeves.
International Federations Reference Info
International Federations:
The GPA: Global Powerlifting Alliance
GPA Website: http://www.globalpowerliftingalliance.com
GPA Rules: http://globalpowerliftingalliance.com/global_powerlifting_alliance%20rules.htm
GPC: Global Powerlifting Committee
GPC Website: http://www.worldgpc.com
GPC Rules: http://www.worldgpc.com/index.php/downloads/category/16-rulebook?download=7:gpc-rulebook-09-2012-english
The IPF: International Powerlifting Federation
IPF Website: http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/
IPF Rules: http://www.powerlifting -ipf.com/fileadmin/data/Technical_Rules/IPF_Technical_Rules_Book_2014.pdf
The IPL: International Powerlifting League
IPL Website: http://www.powerlifting-ipl.com
IPL Rules: http://www.powerlifting-ipl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IPL-Rulebook-v052713.pdf
The IPO: International Powerlifting Organization
IPO Website: http://www.internationalpowerliftingorganization.com
IPO Rules: http://internationalpowerliftingorganization.com/rules%20IPO.htm
The WDFPF: World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation
WDFPF Website: http://www.wdfpf.co.uk/news/news.php
WDFPF Rules: http://www.wdfpf.co.uk/federation/pdf/WDFPF_RULEBOOK_2011.pdf
The WPA: World Powerlifting Association
WPA Website: http://www.apa-wpa.com/
WPA Rules: http://www.apa-wpa.com/2007RULEBOOK.htm
The WPC: World Powerlifting Congress
WPC Website: http://www.worldpowerliftingcongress.com
WPC Rules: http://www.worldpowerliftingcongress.com/WPC%20Rule%20book%20Official%20Website%202012.doc
The WPF: World Powerlifting Federation
WPF Website: http://www.wpfpowerlifting.com
WPF Rules: http://www.wpfpowerlifting.com/WPF%20DOCS/2011%20WPF%20Rules%20New.pdf
The WUAP: World United Amateur Powerlifting
WUAP Website: http://aheindl.com/~martin/WUAP/uap/index-uap.html
WUAP Rules: http://aheindl.com/~martin/WUAP/united/schriftverkehr/uap-rules.pdf
National Federations(USA) Reference Info
The 100% Raw: 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation
100% Raw Website: http://www.rawpowerlifting.com
100% Raw Rules: http://rawpowerlifting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/100_Raw_General_Rules_2014_Final-2.pdf
The AAU: Amateur Athletic Union
AAU Website: http://www.aaupowerlifting.org/
AAU Rules: http://image.aausports.org/handbooks/powerlifting/Powerlifting_Handbook.pdf
The ADFPF: American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation (WDFPF Affiliate):
ADFPF Website: http://www.adfpf.org/
ADFPF Rules: http://www.adfpf.org/Forms/W.D.F.P.F.%20RULEBOOK%20%202012%20-%202013.pdf
The APA: American Powerlifting Association (WPA Affiliate)
APA Website: http://www.apa-wpa.com
APA Rules: http://www.apa-wpa.com/2007RULEBOOK.htm
The APC: American Powerlifting Committee (IPO/GPA Affiliate)
APC Website: http://www.americanpowerliftingcommittee-usa.com/
APC Rules: http://www.americanpowerliftingcommittee-usa.com/apc%20rules.htm
The APF: American Powerlifting Federation (WPC Affiliate)
APF Website: http://www.worldpowerliftingcongress.com
APF Rules: http://www.worldpowerliftingcongress.com/WPC%20Rule%20book%20Official%20Website%202012.doc
The Hardcore: Hardcore Powerlifting
Hardcore Website: http://www.Hardcorepowerlifting.com
Hardcore Rules: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=156164833
The IBP: Iron Boy Powerlifting
IBP Website: http://www.ironboypowerlifting.com
IBP Rules: http://www.ironboypowerlifting.com/z2013_IBP_Handbook.doc
The IPA: International Powerlifting Association
IPA Website: http://www.ipapower.com/
IPA Rules: http://www.ipapower.com/rules.html
The NASA: Natural Athlete Strength Association
NASA Website: http://www.nasa-sports.com/
NASA Rules: http://www.nasa-sports.com/Rulebook/New.NASA.Rulebook.12.06/NASA%20Rule%20Book.htm
The Raw Unity: Raw Unity Meet
Raw Unity Website: http://www.rawunitymeet.com/
Raw Unity Rules: Raw Unity Meet Rules Document
The RPS: Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate
RPS Website: http://www.RevolutionPowerlifting.com
RPS Rules: http://www.revolutionpowerlifting.com/rules/index.html
The SSA: Syndicated Strength Alliance
SSA Website: http://www.strengthalliance.com/
SSA Rules: http://www.strengthalliance.com/forms/ssarulebook.doc
The SPF: Southern Powerlifting Federation
SPF Website: http://www.southernpowerliftingfederation.com
SPF Rules: http://www.southernpowerlifting.com/form.php?id=7
The UPA: United Powerlifting Association
UPA Website: http://www.upapower.com/
UPA Rules: http://upapower.com/downloads/official_upa_rulebook.pdf
The USAPL: United States of America Powerlifting (IPF Affiliate)
USAPL Website: http://www.usapowerlifting.com/
USAPL Rules: http://www.usapowerlifting.com/aboutus/USAPL%20Rulebook-2013_1.pdf
The USPA: United States Powerlifting Association (IPL Affiliate)
USPA Website: http://www.uspla.org
USPA Rules: http://uspla.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/USPA-Rulebook-v110412.pdf
The USPF: United States Powerlifting Federation (WPF Affiliate)
USPF Website: http://www.uspf.com
USPF Rules: http://www.uspf.com/Rules%20Docs/USPF%20RAW%20Rules%20chged%204-16-2011.pdf
The WNPF: World Natural Powerlifting Federation
WNPF Website: http://www.wnpf.net/wnpf/home.jsp
WNPF Rules: http://www.wnpf.net/wnpf/showPage.jsp?pageName=rules
XPC: Xtreme Powerlifting Coalition
XPC Website: http://www.xpcpowerlifting.com/
XPC Rules: http://www.xpcpowerlifting.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/XPC-rules.pdf
Glossary
If you’re confused about what any of these items are, please read our on articles on powerlifting equipment and powerlifting gear.
Glossary
Checkmarks: The federation allows this item
X marks: The federation does not allow this item
SQ Bar: Specialty squat bar
Monolift: Specialty hydraulic squat rack
Wraps:Knee wraps
Sleeves:Knee sleeves
Head Up:The head can be lifted off the surface of the bench while pressing
Heels Up:The heels do not have to contact the floor during the bench
Suicide:Thumbless grip on bench press
Reverse:Reverse-grip bench press
DL Bar:Specialty deadlift bar
Weigh-in:The time between when you’re weighed and when you start lifting
Tested:A division which requires athletes to be tested for drug use
Untested:A division which does not test for drugs
$ to Join:The amount of money required to purchase a federation membership
Note: A federation membership does not count as your meet entry fee. A federation membership simply allows you to enter meets held under that federations’ banner. You will pay an additional meet entry fee on top of this cost for each meet you wish to participate in.
The Guide to Powerlifting Rules: Table of Contents
Part I: Powerlifting Equipment
Part II: Gear
Part III: The Squat
Part IV: The Bench
Part V: The Deadlift
Part VI: Powerlifting Federation Reference Guide
Bonus: How To Pick The Right Federation
Questions? Comments?
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I’ve done about 3 NASA meets so far, and none of them used a squat bar or a deadlift bar. Also, the weigh-ins were the night before at 7:00pm, so it was really about a 15-hr weigh-in. There were also a lot of lifters that chose the standard 2-hr weigh-in also.
Hey Steve, here is the relevant selection from the NASA Rulebook:
The rules pretty clearly allow for a deadlift bar. They’ve specifically pointed out, in red, that 27mm bars with 2.4m lengths are allowed. However, unlike most other rulebooks, there is no language stating, “…bars suited to particular lifts may used for those lifts”. In fact, the rulebook specifically states that the same bar must be used for all three lifts. So, this is an error on my part. Thank you.
I remember doubting myself specifically on this entry because of having read your log, but I’m still not sure what to think about the clear allowance for a deadlift bar in the rules. I’ll try to get an official clarification from NASA.
For now, I’m going to say they allow a deadlift bar, but I’m going to make a special notation regarding their situation as well.
I noticed you have WPF/APF as both untested only but they now have tested meets under the AWPC/AAPF.
Thanks, I will get this corrected as soon as possible.