Powerlifting Federations Comparison
Note: This information was last updated in Feb 2026 and may not reflect current rules. Please verify with each federation's official website for the most up-to-date information.
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| Category | USA Powerlifting (USAPL) | Powerlifting America (PA) *IPF Affiliate | United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) | Powerlifting United (PLU) | World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) | Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate (RPS) | American Powerlifting Federation (APF) *WPC affiliate | International Powerlifting Association (IPA) | United Powerlifting Association (UPA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult membership cost | $75 | $75 | $80 | $65 | ?? | $0 | $30 | $50 | $40 |
| Weigh ins | 2 hr | 2 hr | 24 hr | 24 hr | 24 hr | 24 hr | 24 hr | 24 hr | 24 hr |
| Approved equipment list | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Drug testing | Yes | Yes | DT division | DT division | DT division | Amateur division | Amateur division | Amateur division | Amateur division |
| Mono lift allowed | No | No | No | Yes | Yes (depends on meet director) | Yes, required for state level meets and higher | Required | Required | Yes |
| Combo rack | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Bench only | Bench only | Bench only, can be used in raw only competitions for squat |
| Deadlift bar | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Allowed, not required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power bar | Yes, all three lifts | Yes, all three lifts | Bench press only | Bench press only | Bench press only | Yes, 25kg bench bar also allowed | Yes, 25kg bench bar also allowed | Yes, 25kg bench bar also allowed | Bench press only |
| Squat bar | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Allowed, not required | Yes, 30kg squat bar also allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Heels flat during bench press | Required | Required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Thumbless/reverse grip during bench | Not permitted | Not permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted |
| Head flat during bench | Not required | Required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Feet allowed on bench during set up | Permitted | Not permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted |
| Knee wraps | 2m | 2m | 2.5m | 2.5m | 2.5m | 3m | 3m | 3m | 3m |
| Talon grip on squats | Not permitted | No mention | No mention | Permitted | No mention | No mention | No mention | No mention | No mention |
| Trans lifters | Separate category | Yes | Untested division only | Yes | No mention | Yes, see rule book | No mention | No mention | No mention |
| T-shirt for deads | Not required | Required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Meet director's discretion |
| Membership in other feds allowed | Permitted | Not permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted | Permitted |