Classes

Each lifter shall designate a class in which they will compete in; with its unique set of rules and regulations. Crossovers are only allowed (see below) from Novice to Open; you cannot cross over between any other classes. The Pro class is offered to those who wish to compete without a drug-test/attestation and/or with knee wraps. An Exhibition class is offered to lifters who wish to compete without being weighed, compete un-ranked/ not in competition with others, or prefer to compete in a single/hybrid lift(s)

  • Debut
    • Full Power only –
    • 36-month Drug-free lifters only (required attestation)
    • Lifters are eligible for this class if they have not yet won 1st place in any powerlifting competition
    • Standard Raw Modern equipment rules apply
  • Novice
    • Full Power only –
    • 36-month Drug-free lifters only (required attestation)
    • Lifters are eligible for this class if they have not yet won 1st place in any powerlifting competition
    • Standard Raw Modern equipment rules apply
  • Open
    • Full Power
    • 36-month Drug-free lifters only (required attestation)
    • All lifters are eligible for this class
    • Standard Raw Modern equipment rules apply
  • Pro
    • Full Power only
    • This class will not be drug tested or drug-free attested
    • Standard Raw Modern equipment rules apply with the addition of (optional) knee wraps
  • Exhibition
    • This class will not be drug tested or drug-free attested
    • Lifters are not eligible for awards and will not be required to weigh in
    • Lifters have the option to participate in the event by: Full Power, Bench (only), Deadlift (only), Squat (only), Push/Pull (Bench Press/ Deadlift)

**Cross-Over Class**

A lifter can choose the Cross-Over Class in which they will compete for merit placing and award(s) against competitors in both Novice and Open class. This is especially useful for experienced lifters who have not yet won a competition, but it is not their first competition. All conditions for Novice/Open apply. Cross-Overs may only compete in traditional full powerlifting. Additional fee will apply upon registration.

Examples of Cross-Over Classes

  • ( Full Power Powerlifting only)
    • 48 year old female who has competed in 2 competitions, but has not yet won a competition (1st place). Lifter would like to compete in the Novice and Open class, but also compete in Open and Master Age Division.
      • The lifter will be eligible for placement/ranking/awards in 4 separate flights (by Class and Age division): Novice – Open, Novice – Master, Open – Open, and Open – Master.
      • Cost will be $145, $75 registration + $35 Class crossover and +$35 Age Division crossover. 
    • 35 year old male who has never competed, but would like to compete in both the Novice and Open class. Lifter does not want to compete in the Submaster Age division.
      • The lifter will be eligible for placement/ranking/awards in  separate flights (by Class and Age division): Novice – Open, and Open – Open

Divisions

Lifters will be required to choose a Class upon registration and will compete with only lifters in their Class (Novice, Open, Cross-over or Pro; Exhibition is excluded).

Weight divisions are strictly for reference only since lifters will compete against all weight divisions within their Class. Strength Dominion calculates award rankings based on IPF GoodLift (GL) points, which is a derived equation set by the IPF that accounts for gender and weight classes.

For 2021, Age Divisions will now be available for competitors. A competitor must select their desired Age Division upon registration and can compete in both Submaster/Master and Open, however must pay an additional Age Cross-Over fee of $35 (this will be in addition to the standard $75 registration fee and Class Cross-Over fee, if a lifter desires to compete in both the Novice and Open Classes, and Open and Submaster/Master Age Division).

However, at the discretion of the meet organizers, and based on the number of total lifters, awards may be given out based on gender (e.g., Strongest Male and Female lifters) and/or weight classes (see below table) in addition to Overall Lifter awards and Strongest lifts awards. If weight division winners will be awarded during your upcoming meet, meet organizers will communicate this prior to the event date.

  • Gender/Weight:
    • Male: 132, 148, 165, 181, 198, 220, 220+
    • Female: 115, 123, 132, 148, 165, 181, 181+

Transgender, Gender-Fluid, or other gender designated lifters are welcome in the Strength Dominion Federation. As such, please sign up for the appropriate weight and gender class as needed. If you prefer not to identify as a gender, our administrators will be happy to accommodate your needs. Please contact us directly at [email protected].

Points

  • Each lifter will be scored based on the IPF GL point system. Winners of each class and/or division will be awarded based on the lifter with the highest IPF GL points. 
  • IPF GoodLift points
    • https://www.powerlifting.sport/rules/codes/info/ipf-formula
    • Introduced in 2019, the IPF GL is a points calculation that provides the most accurate measure of relative strength between lifters of varying weight and gender. IPF GL points also consider lifting type (Classic vs. Equipped, 3 lifter – Full Power vs. Bench-only); however, Strength Dominion only accounts for Classic lifting since we do not allow for equipped lifters.
  • For Strongest Lift awards (E.g., Squat, Bench, Deadlift), the IPF GL point system will be used to calculate IPF GL points for each lifter and their successful lifts. Although this system is not perfect for calculating points based on single lifts, Strength Dominion strives to keep point ratings consistent across all disciplines.

Awards

  • Competitors will compete only in their respective Class division and Age division for individual awards (with the exception of any Cross-Over athletes)
    • Classes: Debut, Novice, Open, and Pro
    • Age: Open, Submaster, Master
  • All competitors in the Novice and Open classes will automatically be eligible for Overall Individual awards based on their individual IPF GL points. Full Power and CrossFit total competitors will be awarded separately.
    • Overall
    • Strongest Squat
    • Strongest Bench (Full Power only)
    • Strongest Deadlift

Lifter Equipment

Strength Dominion allows for all brands of equipment to be used during competition. However, certain conditions apply depending on a lifter’s class and the lift being performed. Raw Modern is the equipment designation that allows for use of all equipment listed below during competition by all competitors, aside from knee wraps. Knee wraps are allowed in competition for Pro and Exhibition classes only.

  • Wrist Wraps
    • All wrist wraps allowed
  • Elbow Sleeves
    • Not allowed during bench or strict press; use during squat/deadlift is allowed
  • Knee Sleeves
    • Knee Wraps not allowed in the Novice and Open class
    • All neoprene knee sleeves (up to 7mm) are allowed; Gangsta Knee Sleeves, Cerberus Extreme knee sleeves and any other knee sleeve over 7mm are not allowed in competition. Single/Double/Triple ply knee sleeves are not allowed.
  • Belts
    • All belts are allowed
  • Shoes
    • No barefoot
    • All shoes, socks, and slippers are allowed
  • Singlets
    • Non-compression (standard, single layer) singlets are required for the meet
    • Multiply or any other equipped suit are not allowed during competition

Weigh-In

  • Weigh-ins will be at pre-arranged times and locations, no earlier than 24 hours from the start of  the powerlifting meet and will be available the morning of the meet on location.
  • Weigh-ins must be completed in person and certified.

Meet Equipment and Calls

Meet equipment will vary from location to location of where meets are held, however lifters should expect competition-level equipment to be made available during the event.

Calls are made by the head judge and should be executed/followed by all lifters. If a lifter ‘jumps a call’ (e.g., completes a movement before a command is given), that is an automatic ‘no lift’. The head judge reserves the right to overrule a ‘good lift’ to a ‘no lift’, if they feel that a call or command was jumped. All calls are made final by the head judge and are not subject for review.

Lifters are required to have their equipment inspected. Failure to comply with equipment standards will result in the lifter not being able to use their equipment during the competition. Use of unapproved equipment during the meet will result in disqualification.

  • Squat
    • Equipment: 29 mm Squat bar
    • Lift: Standard walk out
    • Call(s): Squat, Rack
  • Bench
    • Equipment: 17″ competition bench, 29mm power bar
    • Lift: Spot/No-Spot allowed
    • Call(s): Bench, Press, Rack
  • Strict Press
    • Equipment: 29 mm power bar
    • Lift: Standard walk out
    • Call(s): Press, Rack
  • Deadlift
    • Equipment: 27mm deadlift bar
    • Call(s): Down

Judging

A traditional 3-judge powerlifting panel will be used. One head judge (forward) and two side judges (left and right). A lift is considered ‘good’ if 2 out of 3 judges signals a good lift (white light).

Lift criteria:

  • Squat
    • Hip crease to Knee for depth
    • No downward motion
  • Bench
    • Butt must remain on bench
    • No downward motion
    • Toes on ground (flat foot not required)
  • Deadlift
    • No downward motion
    • No hitching
    • Hips and Knees locked at extension

Cheating/Misappropriation

Cheating or dishonesty of any sort will not be tolerated. If a lifter is found to be falsely using illegal equipment, using illegal/non-approved performance enhancement drugs, or any other form of misappropriation, they will be unequivocally disqualified from the meet and banned from the federation.

Opening Lift declarations

Lifters must declare their opening lifts prior to the start of the meet and will be contacted directly to do so by meet organizers.

Lift Attempts

Lift attempts can be changed at any time before a lift is attempted until the lifter enters the platform to perform said lift. However, lifters may not go down in attempted weight due to a failed lift.

Example: If a lifter opens with a squat of 405 lbs, but fails to complete the lift, the lifter cannot have their second attempt be lower than 405 lbs. A lifter can choose to attempt the same lift weight for their second (and third, if needed) attempt or move up in weight.

If a lifter attempts a lift three times and does not obtain a ‘good lift’, then that lifter is marked as DID NOT FINISH (DNF) in the ranking for the competition and is subsequently ineligible to win any award placings or records. The lifter is still welcome to continue their competition as non-ranked / exhibition.