Federation rules
IPL Rules
The IPL is the international federation whose US affiliate is the USPA, and the two share a near-identical rulebook. It contests four equipment divisions (Raw, Classic Raw, Single Ply, Multi Ply) and runs separate tested and untested competition with separate records. Best Lifter is scored on the DOTS formula, with the McCulloch age coefficient added for masters.
- International body for USPA-affiliated powerlifting
- Independent of the IPF; uses its own banned-substance list
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 | |
| 100 | 220 | |
| 110 | 243 | |
| 110+ | 243+ |
Age divisions
Each division is its own record category at the federation level.
| Division | Age range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Junior 15-19 | 15 through 19 | |
| Junior 20-23 | 20 through 23 | |
| Open | 13 through 85+ | Minimum competitive age is 13. |
| Master 1 | 40 through 49 | Masters records are kept in 5-year bands (40-44, 45-49, and so on through 85+). |
| Master 2 | 50 through 59 | |
| Master 3 | 60 through 69 | |
| Master 4 | 70 through 79 | |
| Master 5 | 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 a t-shirt, plus an optional belt, wrist wraps, elbow sleeves, and knee sleeves. Knee wraps of any length are not allowed.
-
Classic Raw · records tracked
The same gear as Raw, with knee wraps up to 2.5 m permitted in place of sleeves.
-
Single Ply · records tracked
A supportive single-ply squat suit, bench shirt, and deadlift suit, with knee wraps up to 2.5 m.
-
Multi Ply · records tracked
A supportive multi-ply suit and shirt, knee wraps up to 2.5 m, and support briefs. The most permissive equipment division.
Drug-testing policy
The IPL runs both tested and untested competition. Tested meets are sanctioned separately and carry a "Tested" prefix in the contest name. Testing is by urinalysis, with the top 10% of lifters by DOTS score tested along with random selections. The IPL uses its own banned-substance list rather than the WADA Prohibited List.
Records distinguish tested from untested: Yes.
Tested and untested contests keep separate records and awards; a tested record can only be set in a tested competition. A lifter who fails a test is barred for life from IPL tested meets but may still compete untested.
Notable recent changes
Rule changes from the last decade across weight classes, age divisions, equipment, scoring, and eligibility.
- 2022 Scoring
Replaced the Wilks formula with DOTS for Best Lifter scoring.
The 2018 IPL rulebook scored Best Lifter and teams on Wilks; current rulebooks use DOTS, with the McCulloch coefficient for masters. The exact effective date is not given in a dated changelog; it is bracketed between the 2018 and 2022 editions.
- 2022 Weight classes
Women's lineup expanded from ten classes to twelve.
The 2018 IPL women's classes topped out at a single 90+ kg class. Current rulebooks add 100 kg, 110 kg, and a 110+ kg class, matching the twelve-class men's structure.
Source: IPL Technical Rules 2025v1, §1.3 Bodyweight Categories
Reference materials
The federation's own published documents this page is sourced from.