Powerlifters

Powerlifters

Powerlifting is a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. It resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. 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. Eventually odd lifts became standardized to the current three. These may be performed equipped or un-equipped (un-equipped is typically referred to as 'raw' lifting). Equipment can include a belt for the squat and deadlift, and supportive shirts for bench press.

Competitions take place across the world but mostly in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Russia and Ukraine. It has been a Paralympic sport (benchpress only) since 1984 and under the IPF, is also a World Games sport.