Records & Rankings

How Powerlifting America records are kept and set, how GL points compare lifters across weight classes, and where to look up records and rankings.

What Counts as a Record

National records are kept for the squat, bench press, deadlift and total, and for the single-lift bench press.

Records are kept for each weight class and age division: Sub-Junior, Junior, Open and Masters I to V. Classic and Equipped records are kept separately.

A Masters record also counts in each younger Masters division and in Open when it beats those records. Sub-Junior records carry to Junior and Open, and Junior records to Open.

State records are also kept, including the single-lift deadlift, and can be set at local meets.

Where National Records Can Be Set

Powerlifting America Signature Sanction, regional and national events.

IPF-sanctioned regional events and IPF international events, including World Championships.

National championships of other IPF member federations. The lifter must notify Powerlifting America.

Conditions

Three national or international referees must judge the attempt.

The lifter must hold a current Powerlifting America membership before competing.

The new record must beat the old one by at least 0.5 kg.

The lifter must finish the meet with a total. Guest lifters can't set national records.

Records Policy →

Comparing Across Weight Classes

A heavier lifter can lift more weight, so totals alone can't compare lifters across weight classes. The IPF GL formula adjusts each total for bodyweight to give one score that can be compared across classes.

66 kg

720 kg total

112.2 GL

105 kg

900 kg total

111.1 GL

Men's Classic. The 66 kg lifter's lower total scores higher once bodyweight is accounted for.