Let's talk federations...

[igo4bmx]

who has competed in what and likes/dislikes?

I know we discuss federations and competing alot here, but I think I do want to compete now and at least try a push and pull meet (my strongest lifts).

I was looking at powerliftingwatch.com and saw WNPF was having a meet close to me on dec 8th, but want some real insight.

I will be competing raw in both bench and deadlift, and most likely stay in the 275 class. I will want to wear wrist wraps, because I've only lifted that heavy with wraps.
I also did take superdrol about two years ago, and the WPNF does take drug tests and polygraphs maybe, so I rather not try i guess.

just like to get a discussion going here- thanks!

[powerlifter70]

I usually compete in the WABDL (they put on a lot of meets near me). I have nothing but good things to say about this federation. I always have a good time at the meets and meet lots of good people.

[igo4bmx]

I usually compete in the WABDL (they put on a lot of meets near me). I have nothing but good things to say about this federation. I always have a good time at the meets and meet lots of good people.


Nice- I had a friend who competed in it in the 150something class lol
do they have a RAW division? I could not find anything on their site.

[powerlifter70]

do they have a RAW division? I could not find anything on their site.


They do not have a separate raw class. You can always lift raw.

[Newtt]

I'm actually kind of turned off to USAPL because of all the stories of rediculous judging and 3 second bench press pauses. I'm looking into a March 15th meet in NY(or PA, i forget) in the WNPF, so any experiences with them would be a big help.

[andhen2003]

I'm doing the December 8th WNPF meet. I did my first meet with them a couple of months ago. I heard lots of good things about them, which is why I gave them a go. Strict but consistent judging. Squats must be below parallel. Pretty good pause on bench. They called me for raising my butt slightly last meet on bench. So again, good judging, fair, and consistent.

They also supposedly test a few folks each meet, and they do test some of their consistent athletes outside of meets.

Some very good lifters have lifted with them, and still do. Tom Eiseman (top WR DL in 181, pulled 800 lbs at 181) has, Lattimer (900+ lb bench) used to compete w them but doesnt any more.

Only downside I would say is they're sort of mellow. Music was like 70's R&B. They know they need to pump it up though.

Oh, also their records are not in the stratosphere in NJ. I set a novice squat record my first meet and hope to hit a bench and dead record on Dec 8.

[igo4bmx]

I'm doing the December 8th WNPF meet. I did my first meet with them a couple of months ago. I heard lots of good things about them, which is why I gave them a go. Strict but consistent judging. Squats must be below parallel. Pretty good pause on bench. They called me for raising my butt slightly last meet on bench. So again, good judging, fair, and consistent.

They also supposedly test a few folks each meet, and they do test some of their consistent athletes outside of meets.

Some very good lifters have lifted with them, and still do. Tom Eiseman (top WR DL in 181, pulled 800 lbs at 181) has, Lattimer (900+ lb bench) used to compete w them but doesnt any more.

Only downside I would say is they're sort of mellow. Music was like 70's R&B. They know they need to pump it up though.

Oh, also their records are not in the stratosphere in NJ. I set a novice squat record my first meet and hope to hit a bench and dead record on Dec 8.


that's the meet i am thinking of, in bordentown, NJ
now thinking about it, not sure if they would spend their time polygraphing me for this event, drug test i would be clean, which is nice.

Can you put your own music on? I don't think i can lift without my music.

[andhen2003]

I dont think they polygraph. Just dont choose lifetime open if you're not lifetime drug free. I think their rule is 2 years drug free to compete, can't remember. and no i dont think you can put your own music on. I use my IPod and rip it out when I get on the platform.

I compete raw also and use wrist wraps on bench and knee wraps on Squat.

And music is also pretty critical to me too but you'll find you're pretty pumped anyway, esp if its your first meet.

[igo4bmx]

I dont think they polygraph. Just dont choose lifetime open if you're not lifetime drug free. I think their rule is 2 years drug free to compete, can't remember. and no i dont think you can put your own music on. I use my IPod and rip it out when I get on the platform.

I compete raw also and use wrist wraps on bench and knee wraps on Squat.

And music is also pretty critical to me too but you'll find you're pretty pumped anyway, esp if its your first meet.

it says 3 years drug free...
what weight class will you compete in? Maybe I will see you there!

[andhen2003]

181 lbs, raw, lifetime open (bench record for NJ in this division is only 290 and deadlift is only 430, I'm pretty sure I can nail both, in fact hope to DL at least 450). otherwise I'd be lifting in the submasters, which is what I'll probably lift in at subsequent meets.

I don't think it will be a huge meet, so will probably go pretty fast. They are very efficient and move things along very quickly!

[mochi]

I usually compete in the WABDL (they put on a lot of meets near me). I have nothing but good things to say about this federation. I always have a good time at the meets and meet lots of good people.

x2, wabdl is the only fed putting on meets in Hawaii. only thing is judging is kinda loose sometimes, i've seen lifts pass with two whites that were pretty ugly

[Newtt]

does the WNPF use a monolift? how comparable is the judging from WNPF to USAPL? less strict?

[MrSkullCrusher]

We have usapl and nasa meeets around here. Usapl is so strict but you can look at the cup half full because that will make you an even better lifter.But sometimes its so strict its almost not fun. But i try to look at the cup half full.

[GRAYHORSE]

polygraph? haha those things are joke. More goody goody people fail those things from being nervous then the people who should fail.

Anyways, i do APF meets. I have nothing bad to say about it except im the only one natural. haha

[muscle_g]

I compete in the APA and love the Fed

[sborg]

It's called Federal Powerlifting Inter-Nation. Unlike most powerlifting feds, FPI has no written rules whatsoever. It is the judges' jobs to not enforce rules from other federations and promote a lifter-friendly atmosphere.

Steroids are encouraged. They will be provided at the meet for those who forgot theirs at home.

Weigh-ins are optional. The lifter need only supply a reasonable estimate of weight. If one chooses to weigh in, as much as 20 lbs will be subtracted from the actual weight so that one does not have to endure starvation and dehydration just to lift competitively.

Because there are no depth rules, after squatting the lifter will be asked if the lift was deep enough and how many white lights it deserved. In order to incorporate internet judging, world record squats will be rescinded if the YouTube video gets more than 50% negative comments.

The bench press starts when the lifter wants it to start, there is not necessarily a pause, and lockout is optional.

Deadlifting is also optional. Because deadlift numbers in general are so poor these days, the lifter has the option to either squat or bench a second time in lieu of deadlifting. If one does decide to deadlift, ramping and hitching are encouraged. These techniques are quite helpful in achieving maximal numbers. Straps are also encouraged. The lifter also has the option of either ending or beginning the lift at the knee.

[cupcakekid]

I lift for AAPF (drug tested/amateur version of APF). I am a brand-new spankin member to the federation, but i like it. the judges there called everything consistent. from vids online squats need to be just below parallel and bench and deadlift seem normal to me as there is no press command. had a fun time @ my last meet people were cheering for others.

[LT1Squirrel]

that's the meet i am thinking of, in bordentown, NJ
now thinking about it, not sure if they would spend their time polygraphing me for this event, drug test i would be clean, which is nice.

Can you put your own music on? I don't think i can lift without my music.

I was planning on lifting at that meet also, but my pre-surgery exam is 5 days before:(

[smitsky]

I did my first meet with the WNPF on Sept 15th. I liked it very much. The judging was fair.

I'm working out with guys who are "putting down" the WNPF somewhat, because they lift in the USAPL, and want me to lift there too.

I did my Squat openers with these guys today. I went deep. They said I was high by USAPL standards. These guys had me go basically ATG, claiming that I would have been red-lighted in the USAPL. If this is true, then that's ridiculous. I know I was below parallel, and had all three of my Squat attempts pass fine as far as depth is concerned in the WNPF.

I'm going to the WNPF Worlds this Saturday. I'm psyched!

[BPGorilla]

igo4bmx

I have competed in several federations and here is my perspective on each.


USAPL-- this is the NATIONAL organization for powerlifting. It gets a lot of criticism which is undeserved. It is strict but very fair. I have lifted in 4 bench press nationals and have no complaints. If you want competition this is where its at in the USAPL. It is our american affiliate to the IPF.
Should you be offered a shot an IPF meet I would take it. They are the most prestigious in the sport.

NASA--Another great organization. I have competed many times in this organization and it has very good meets. Very consistent judging.

APA-- this was an okay meet. It has not really gotten much publicity in the last few years.

SLP-I did several of these meet when I started lifting. The rules are more relaxed and it is a good time.

WEPOF- defunct organization

[ncpowerlifter]

I compete in the following feds

IBP

AAU

100% raw

[Arlecchino]

In ages past I competed in:

APF
ADFPA (Before it became USAPL)

Coached athletes who have lifted in:

APF, USAPL, USPF, WNPF (once), and WDFPF. Also a few small, non-sanctioned meets.

Noted the following:

APF: least strict judging standards.

AAU: Did a ****load of work for this organization over the years (more than a decade), and not just PL. Now that certain members are no longer running it the PL division (who shall remain nameless) my respect for it is growing back.

USAPL: Has become far more strict over the years. I actually like this, but since I squat well below parallel, this kinda-sorta favors guys like me.

USPF: No issues except at one bench only meet, where the head judge red-lighted just about everybody and refused to say why. Only time where I have ever seen this. He even irritated the meet director so much that he was asked not to come back.

WNPF: I was irritated because at the meet that was put on, despite claims to the contrary, no drug testing was done. I actually have no problem with feds that do not test, or I would not have lifted in one. However, if you say you are going to test, do it. And it took forever for three athletes from my team to get their trophies. This is not a big deal to me on a personal level, but a high school kid who lifts in his first meet should not have to wait four months for his first trophy. This was quite a few years ago.

WDFPF: Great meet, strict standards. As it was in the US, all of the people were basically the same people I knew from ADFPA meets, so roughly similar.

[flatlinePL]

i've only lifted in a few meets, getting ready to do my fourth one in dec in spf. the other meets that competed in were nasa and wnpf. the judging seemed fair and consistent and i can not complain about either. look around for what is in your area. i live in kentucky and there has not been a lot of choices lately, but i'm hopin that will change.

[andhen2003]

does the WNPF use a monolift? how comparable is the judging from WNPF to USAPL? less strict?

yes they use a mono. i've never lifted USAPL but I've heard they are the extreme on strictness

[Kiknskreem]

yes they use a mono. i've never lifted USAPL but I've heard they are the extreme on strictness

If by "extreme" you mean actually enforcing the rules of performance.

Sure, there have been bad calls made in the USAPL, as there have been everywhere else. So much of what gets said is overblown nonsense.

[andhen2003]

If by "extreme" you mean actually enforcing the rules of performance.

Sure, there have been bad calls made in the USAPL, as there have been everywhere else. So much of what gets said is overblown nonsense.

no i meant they supposedly have the most extreme view of depth on squats. there are other feds that enforce their rules as well. as i said i've never competed with them. i will probably give them a go some time in the next year or so; i have nothing against them and squat pretty low, so i'm fine with the calls!

[Danimal]

WNPF puts on meets around here, but they turned me off with their entry fees and charging spectators to watch. Seemed like they were more about making money than anything else.

I lift in APA and APF, both put on good meets. APA meets around here are a bit smaller as we have a hard time getting venues that will help advertise the meets. The judging is good (because I'm a judge!). Both feds are lifter friendly and have great people running, participating, and helping out at the meets.

IrishKid- not sure where you lifted in AAPF, but they definitely DO use a press command. If you didn't have one called, they were not following the rules.

[gbh]

Lifted in 3 AAU meets (compete Raw). Meets are professionally run, always have had a good time.

I understand what Danimal is saying about fees, by the time I renew my AAU membership and enter the meet I'm about $100 lighter. I typically only do 1 meet a year- so the cost is not that big of a deal.

[cupcakekid]

IrishKid- not sure where you lifted in AAPF, but they definitely DO use a press command. If you didn't have one called, they were not following the rules.

your right, for some reason i was thinking of another federation. my bad, dont know how i messed that up

[big13]

apf-loud music, nice people, big lifts
ipa-same as apf ,but you don?t get a squat command
ssa-same as apf
apa-alright ,was ran very well ,no music ,and scott has to be at very meet
wabdl-lots of people, no music, very well ran ,but not a true powerlifting fed (no squat)
usapl-to many youngsters ,don?t like keeping my feet flat and head down on bench
uspf-same as usapl but instead of kid its seniors citizens
aau-same as usapl

for me it doesn?t matter about gear or equipment .i will compete raw,1ply,2ply, or walk it out or use a mono

[APA Lifter]

Apa Ftw.