Federation rules · Parent: WPC
APF Rules
The APF is the US affiliate of the World Powerlifting Congress and contests four equipment divisions, from Raw through Multi-Ply, the gear it is best known for. The APF and WPC are untested; their drug-tested counterparts are the AAPF in the US and the AWPC internationally. Best Lifter is scored on the Glossbrenner formula.
- US affiliate of the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC)
- Untested; its tested counterpart is the AAPF (international AWPC)
See WPC records (includes APF) →
Weight classes
Bodyweight categories the federation contests separately for record purposes.
Men
| Class (kg) | Class (lb) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | 115 | |
| 56 | 123 | |
| 60 | 132 | |
| 67.5 | 149 | |
| 75 | 165 | |
| 82.5 | 182 | |
| 90 | 198 | |
| 100 | 220 | |
| 110 | 243 | |
| 125 | 276 | |
| 140 | 309 | |
| 140+ | 309+ |
Women
| Class (kg) | Class (lb) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 97 | |
| 48 | 106 | |
| 52 | 115 | |
| 56 | 123 | |
| 60 | 132 | |
| 67.5 | 149 | |
| 75 | 165 | |
| 82.5 | 182 | |
| 90 | 198 | |
| 90+ | 198+ |
Age divisions
Each division is its own record category at the federation level.
| Division | Age range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 13 and upwards | |
| Teenage 13-15 | 13 through 15 | |
| Teenage 16-17 | 16 through 17 | |
| Teenage 18-19 | 18 through 19 | |
| Junior | 20 through 23 | |
| Sub Master | 33 through 39 | |
| Master 1 | 40 through 44 | Masters continue in 5-year bands through Master 9 (80 and upwards). |
| Master 2 | 45 through 49 | |
| Master 3 | 50 through 54 | |
| Master 4 | 55 through 59 | |
| Master 5 | 60 through 64 | |
| Master 6 | 65 through 69 | |
| Master 7 | 70 through 74 | |
| Master 8 | 75 through 79 | |
| Master 9 | 80 and upwards |
Equipment categories
Separate record lines are kept for each equipment category the federation tracks.
-
Raw · records tracked
A non-supportive single-ply singlet with an undershirt and belt; wrist wraps are the only wraps allowed (up to 1 m long, 8 cm wide). No knee wraps.
-
Classic Raw · records tracked
The same as Raw, with knee wraps up to 2.5 m and elbow wraps (squat and deadlift) added. Recognized in full power only.
-
Single Ply · records tracked
A single-ply polyester suit, single-ply briefs, and a closed-back single-ply bench shirt, with wrist and knee wraps and a belt.
-
Multi-Ply · records tracked
A multi-ply lifting suit, undershirt, bench shirt, and briefs with no ply limit, plus wrist wraps (up to 1 m), knee wraps (up to 2.5 m), and elbow wraps. The most permissive equipment division and the one the APF is best known for.
Drug-testing policy
The split between tested and untested is by federation, not by division within a meet. The APF (and the international WPC) is untested. Its drug-tested counterparts are the AAPF in the US and the AWPC internationally; lifters qualify for AWPC Worlds by placing at AAPF Nationals. Testing for the tested bodies follows the separate AAPF/AWPC anti-doping rules, which the WPC technical rulebook does not reproduce.
Records distinguish tested from untested: Yes.
Untested records are kept under the APF and WPC; tested records are kept under the AAPF and AWPC.
Reference materials
The federation's own published documents this page is sourced from.