General Weightlifting

What are the age groups?
What are the weight classes?
How do weight classes work?
What if I don't make my weight class on the day of the meet? Can I compete in the heavier/lighter weight class?
Do I have to wear a singlet?
What do I wear underneath the singlet?
What kind of shoes should I wear?
How do I sign up for a USAW membership?
How much time is there between the snatch and clean & jerk sessions?
How long is the meet?
What do I need to compete at a meet?
What happens if I miss all three attempts of the snatch (or the C&J)?
How do I register for a meet?
What do I wear for the weigh-in?
Do I have to be good to compete?
Can I use my total from your meet as a qualifying total for a national level meet?
What are the qualifying totals?
Do I need to be drug tested to qualify for Nationals?
What is a Sinclair Total?
Where can I find all of the IWF rules and regulations?

Payment

What are the payment options?
What is your refund policy?

General Weightlifting

What are the age groups?

Competition age is based on the athlete's birth year. Determine your age on December 31, and that is your competition age for that year. Example for 2011: An athlete born in 1994 has a competition age of 17 and is a School Age athlete. An athlete born in 1993 has a competition age of 18 and is a Junior athlete.

What are the weight classes?

How do weight classes work?

You need to weigh-in at or below your weight class. If you are a male who weighs-in at 84kg, you will be in the 85kg weight class. If you weigh-in at 85.1kg, you will be in the 94kg weight class.

What if I don't make my weight class on the day of the meet? Can I compete in the heavier/lighter weight class?

Yes, for local meets you can just switch classes. That being said, you can weigh in multiple times within one hour during your weigh-in. I don't like giving advice on cutting, so interpret that how you will.

Do I have to wear a singlet?

Depends on the meet. If you want an official qualifying total for USAW then yes.

What do I wear underneath the singlet?

Technically you don't have to wear anything underneath the singlet. Many people choose to wear a cotton T-shirt underneath, especially on the Clean and Jerk since the bar rests on the shoulders during the lift. Whatever undergarments you choose to wear, they cannot cover the elbows or knees.

What kind of shoes should I wear?

You should be wearing weightlifting specific shoes to compete at a weightlifting meet. The kind with a solid, elevated heel. Chuck Taylor's/Converse All-Stars will work in a pinch, but not as well. Cushy sport shoes and Vibrams are not suitable for the purposes of weightlifting competition.

How do I sign up for a USA Weightlifting membership?

Visit the USAW website to sign up for a membership.

How much time is there between the snatch and clean & jerk sessions?

Depends on the meet. Usually 10 minutes.

How long is the meet?

Depends on the number of athletes and number of lifting sessions. In general, a 30 athletes lifting in one session will last 5-6 hours including weigh-in, lifting, and awards.

What happens if I miss all three attempts of the snatch (or the C&J)?

Then you are out of the competition. Sorry. So don't do that. If this is your first meet, pick opening attempts that you know for a fact you can make. Try to go 6/6 on your lifts at your first meet.

What do I wear for the weigh-in?

Whatever you are comfortable in. You can weigh in naked if you are close to weight and need the extra couple of ounces.

Do I have to be good to compete?

No. Do what you enjoy. Local weightlifting meets are usually pretty supportive environments. Come and have fun and meet some new people that are interested in doing what you are doing.

Can I use my total from your meet as a qualifying total for a national level meet?

Yes. The meets that we list will have equipment and facilities in place so that you can use your score as a qualifying total.

What are the qualifying totals?

Information on qualifying totals can be found on the USAW Qualification and Team Selection Page.

Do I need to be drug tested to qualify for Nationals?

No, not for National-level events.

What is a Sinclair Total?

The Sinclair Total is a means to compare the strength levels in athletes of different weight classes. A good explanation can be found here.

Where can I find all of the IWF rules and regulations?

Follow these links for the complete list of IWF rules and updates.

Payment

What are the payment options?

We accept Visa and Mastercard. We do not currently accept American Express or Discover.

What is your refund policy?

Absolutely no refunds. Please be sure that you can attend the event before registering. You can however transfer your registration to another athlete up to one week before the event. Just send us an email and their registration info and we will transfer your slot.