Powerlifting - Federations

Federations

The federations the most prominent of which are the following:

• Global Powerlifting Alliance (GPA)
• Global Powerlifting Committee (GPC)
• Global Powerlifting Federation (GPF) - Official Magazine HARD GAMES
• International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)
• Natural Powerlifting Association (NPLA)
• World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation (WDFPF)
• World Powerlifting Association (WPA)
• World Powerlifting Congress (WPC)
• World Powerlifting Federation (WPF)

Of these federations, the oldest and most prominent is the IPF. It comprises federations from over 100 countries located on six continents. Underlying its status is the fact that the IPF is the federation responsible for coordinating participation in the World Games, an international event affiliated with the International Olympic Committee. In terms of longevity and age the next federation in seniority is the WPC.

Although the lifts are always the squat, bench press and deadlift as events, different federations have different rules and different interpretations of the rules, leading to a myriad of variations. Differences arise on the equipment eligible, clothing, drug testing and aspects of allowable technique. The Anti Drug Athletes United (ADAU) and 100% Raw Federation allow no supportive gear to be worn by the lifter while the IPF, AAU, NASA, U.S.A.P.L, Iron Boy and the ADFPF only allow a single-ply tight polyester squat suit, deadlift suit and bench shirt, wraps for knees and wrists, and a belt. Other federations, such as the APF, APA, IPA, SPF, WPC and WPO, allow opened or closed back bench shirts, multi-ply gear, and a wide array of gear materials such as canvas, denim, polyester etc.

In an IPF bench press, the barbell can go as low as the xiphoid process and no further in the lift, whereas in other federations, the barbell can touch the abdomen. (This shortens the distance in which the barbell is moved and is an advantage to the lifter.)

The IPF has suspended entire member nations' federations, including the Russian Federation and the Ukrainian Federation, for repeated violations of the IPF's anti-doping policies. However Russia and Ukraine never served the full 2 year suspension.