*****What Is Powerlifting******

What Is Powerlifting

Powerlifting is not weightlifting. It is made up of the big three lifts, the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. Powerlifters do not train for the Clean and Jerk or the Snatch, although some like me incorporates these lifts into their training.

Powerlifters generally train for limit or maximum attempts done in competition. Competitions are performed in several different powerlifting federations with varying rules and politics. General rules followed in all the federation require that the lifts are performed in similar fashion and are judged as to whether certain criteria are met. The following is a general description of the three lifts performed in competition.

The Squat

• The lifter takes a given weight out of the racks, sets up and then performs a deep knee bend until the top of the thigh falls below an imaginary parallel line. How many times have you heard someone brag about consistently squatting some huge weight only to observe them doing a quarter or half squat in training with that weight? In powerlifting one must squat below parallel and that varies from federation to federation. Below parallel can mean anywhere from an inch to several inches depending on the judge. Every inch one drops lower requires more strength to return to the standing or start position. Powerlifting squats are generally held lower on the back and the squatter usually, but not always, has a medium to very wide stance. In competition common disqualifications for the lift are for depth violations, moving the feet after setting up and not locking the hips at the start of finish. There are others but these are the ones I most commonly see called.

:The Bench Press:

• One takes the weight from the racks while lying on a flat bench brings it to one's chest and then presses it to lockout. The weight must be brought to the chest, held motionless and then a press command is given. In some federations there is no command. The lifter must lift when he feels the weight is motionless on the chest. Common causes for disqualification for the lift are moving one's head or feet during the lift, uneven extension, not waiting on a command or having the weight motionless on the chest, or allowing the weight to sink into the chest before lifting.

The Deadlift

• A simple lift performed from either a narrow (Conventional) stance or wide (Sumo) stance. The lifter grips the weight with both hands, then lifts, or pulls, it until he stands erect with shoulders locked back; the weight is then lowered to the starting position at the judge's command. Common causes for disqualification are not locking the knees or shoulders or hitching the weight up off the thighs.

• Terry Todd executes the first official 700 pound (actual weight 710) squat at the 1965 Junior National Powerlifting Championships.