What is Powerlifting?
What is powerlifting? Powerlifting is an invigorating sport of strength, power, and speed. Unlike most sports, powerlifting gets at the heart of the most basic of all athletic qualities-strength.
Over the years before the first competition, odd-lift competitions were put on. Some of the odd-lifts were the bench press, chin-ups, deadlift, curls, squats, and push-ups (Hatfield 5). At first, the 3 main lifts to get a total were the bench press, curl, and squat. Furthermore, in 1964, the three lifts that tested overall strength and made up a competitor's total are the bench press, squat, and deadlift. A year after the first powerlifting competition, the IPF(International Powerlifting Federation) was born and now represents over forty nations from all over the globe(Hatfield 7). Your total weight lifted is determined on your best lift in the bench press, squat, and deadlift. The winner. does not have to be the strongest in just one or two lifts. He or she has to just be good overall in each lift.
Just as every other sport, it had to start somewhere and powerlifting has a few rules that imply, as well. To start, with the bench, a competitor must lower the bar to his or her chest. Once motion has stopped, the head judge will say, "LIFT!" The bench presser must then press the bar up in full upward motion and with both arms locking out at the same time. The competitor's feet must stay still, not lift off the ground, nor can his or her butt come off the bench.