About USA Powerlifting

USA Powerlifting (formerly American Drug-Free Powerlifting Association, Inc.) is the leading powerlifting organization in the United States. 

Distinct from weightlifting, a sport made up of two lifts: the Snatch and the Clean-and-Jerk, where the weight is lifted above the head, powerlifting comprises three lifts: the Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift. Powerlifting competitions may be comprised of one, two or all three of the lifting disciplines.

Athletes are categorized by sex, age, and bodyweight. Each competitor is allowed three attempts at each lift, the best lift in each discipline being added to their total. The lifter with the highest total is the winner. In cases where two or more lifters achieve the same total, the person with the lightest bodyweight wins.

USA Powerlifting is committed to excellence and the honor and integrity of competitive powerlifting. USA Powerlifting seeks to provide a fair platform for competition and requires all who join its ranks and competes on its platform to do so with sportsmanship, honor, and respect.

All USA Powerlifting members agree to honor the following values and principles:

1. Competition. All members are to abide by the bylaws, policies, rules, and regulations of USA Powerlifting. No member shall use performance-enhancing drugs and/or other such drugs that are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the United States Anti-doping Agency, and USA Powerlifting.
2. Professionalism. All members shall be professional on and off the platform. The only acceptable standard is good sportsmanship. All members are to refrain from conduct that is disruptive and/or detracts or adversely affect competing athletes for purposes of gaining a competitive edge.
3. Respect. All members shall treat all others involved in the sport – other athletes, referees, officials, administrators, meet directors, spectators, sponsors, members of the media, venue employees – with respect, courtesy, and dignity. Rude, abusive, unprofessional language and/or conduct toward another member of USA Powerlifting or anyone affiliated with our sport will not be tolerated. Because petty criticism and complaints undermine the well-being of the organization, members should minimize complaints and pettiness, and should, instead, strive to take action where improvement is desired or needed and should accept and support the final decision of the majority.
4. Organization. All members, officials, administrators, officers, and representatives shall focus on the best interests and goals of USA Powerlifting over and above individual desires. USA Powerlifting, through its members, is here to serve all members with quality competition.
5. Non-discrimination and No Sexual Harassment. USA Powerlifting maintains a no-tolerance policy for discrimination based upon age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status. Moreover, USA Powerlifting does not permit any conduct that engages in sexual harassment, which is sexual solicitation, physical advances, or verbal or nonverbal conduct that is sexual, that is either unwelcome, is offensive, or creates a hostile environment, and the offending party knows this or is told this and that is sufficiently severe or intense to be abusive to a reasonable person in the context.

Membership to USA Powerlifting is conditional upon abiding by and honoring this Code of Conduct and Principles. Violations of this Code subject the member to discipline according to the USA Powerlifting bylaws and rules and regulations and to the potential loss of membership in USA Powerlifting.

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