![\"powerlifter](\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Shutterstock_584462554.jpg\")
Competitive powerlifting offers a chance for lifters of any age, size, or experience to compare themselves to modern day peers as well as legendary lifters of the past. Here’s a look at what it takes to complete remarkable powerlifting performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Powerlifting Records<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- What is Powerlifting?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Powerlifting Divisions and Categories<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Current Powerlifting Records<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>What is Powerlifting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo begin on page one, it’s important to understand what “powerlifting” actually is. While it might sound counterintuitive, powerlifting is distinctly different from weightlifting. The sport of weightlifting, as presented in the Summer Olympics, challenges athletes with the snatch and clean & jerk<\/a> movements. Powerlifting tests athletes with the back squat, flat bench press, and deadlift (either conventional stance or sumo<\/a>) to complete a “total” weight lifted for the contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe sport of powerlifting formally began in 1964 with “The Powerlifting Tournament of America” being the first organized and recognized competition of the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Perhaps not coincidentally, the contest was held in York, Pennsylvania \u2014 home of US Olympic weightlifting coach and founder of York Barbell, Bob Hoffman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As powerlifting continued to grow, both across the United States and internationally. By the 1980s, it was considered a full-fledged, albeit niche, competitive sport. From the late 1970s until the early 2010s, it garnered enough widespread attention to warrant a dedicated print magazine, Powerlifting USA, which showcased sport-specific news and training features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>What is Powerlifting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo begin on page one, it’s important to understand what “powerlifting” actually is. While it might sound counterintuitive, powerlifting is distinctly different from weightlifting. The sport of weightlifting, as presented in the Summer Olympics, challenges athletes with the snatch and clean & jerk<\/a> movements. Powerlifting tests athletes with the back squat, flat bench press, and deadlift (either conventional stance or sumo<\/a>) to complete a “total” weight lifted for the contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe sport of powerlifting formally began in 1964 with “The Powerlifting Tournament of America” being the first organized and recognized competition of the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Perhaps not coincidentally, the contest was held in York, Pennsylvania \u2014 home of US Olympic weightlifting coach and founder of York Barbell, Bob Hoffman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As powerlifting continued to grow, both across the United States and internationally. By the 1980s, it was considered a full-fledged, albeit niche, competitive sport. From the late 1970s until the early 2010s, it garnered enough widespread attention to warrant a dedicated print magazine, Powerlifting USA, which showcased sport-specific news and training features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sport of powerlifting formally began in 1964 with “The Powerlifting Tournament of America” being the first organized and recognized competition of the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Perhaps not coincidentally, the contest was held in York, Pennsylvania \u2014 home of US Olympic weightlifting coach and founder of York Barbell, Bob Hoffman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As powerlifting continued to grow, both across the United States and internationally. By the 1980s, it was considered a full-fledged, albeit niche, competitive sport. From the late 1970s until the early 2010s, it garnered enough widespread attention to warrant a dedicated print magazine, Powerlifting USA, which showcased sport-specific news and training features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n