Federation rules
RPS Rules
The RPS is an independent US federation that contests five equipment divisions, from Raw Classic through an Unlimited geared division. Its Professional division is untested, its Amateur division is drug-tested, and an Elite division offers tested validation for lifters with pro-level totals. Records are kept separately by track.
- Independent US federation
- Runs an untested Pro division and a drug-tested Amateur division
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 | |
| 100+ | 220+ |
Age divisions
Each division is its own record category at the federation level.
| Division | Age range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Any age | |
| Teen 14-15 | 14 through 15 | Teen divisions are Amateur only. |
| Teen 16-17 | 16 through 17 | |
| Teen 18-19 | 18 through 19 | |
| Junior | 20 through 23 | |
| Submaster | 33 through 39 | |
| Masters | 40 and upwards | Contested in 5-year bands (40-44, 45-49, and so on through 100+). |
Equipment categories
Separate record lines are kept for each equipment category the federation tracks.
-
Raw Classic · records tracked
Belt, wrist wraps, and elbow sleeves only; nothing on the knee during the competition lifts. Bench is performed with belt and wrist wraps only.
-
Raw Modern · records tracked
Raw with wraps: belt, wrist wraps, elbow sleeves, plus single-layer knee wraps or sleeves (up to 3 m, 3 in wide) for the squat and deadlift.
-
Single-Ply · records tracked
One knit or woven layer: a single-layer squat suit and bench shirt, with knee wraps up to 3 m.
-
Multi-Ply · records tracked
Amateur multi-ply allows up to two sewn layers (suit and shirt); Professional multi-ply allows any number of sewn layers.
-
Unlimited · records tracked
Professional only: unlimited material and thickness, with only two items worn. The most permissive equipment division.
Drug-testing policy
The RPS runs untested and tested tracks side by side. The Professional division is not drug-tested. The Amateur division is strictly drug-tested by random urinalysis through Quest Diagnostics, at no charge unless a test is positive; any Amateur lifter who hits a pro-level total is automatically tested. The Elite division offers a tested result, at the athlete's expense, for lifters with pro-level totals.
Records distinguish tested from untested: Yes.
Records are kept separately for the untested Professional track and the tested Amateur/Elite tracks. The banned list covers anabolic steroids, SARMs (as identified by WADA and USADA), and the masking agent probenecid.
Banned-substance reference: RPS banned substances
Reference materials
The federation's own published documents this page is sourced from.
- RPS Rulebook — Classes & Divisions · retrieved 2026-05-29
- RPS Rulebook — Personal Equipment · retrieved 2026-05-29
- RPS Rulebook — Banned Substances · retrieved 2026-05-29