The USPF maintains a strong endurance of established existence and boasts an unparalleled lineage of all-time greatest legendary powerlifters that have competed to the highest standards of lifting. With its renowned world class status and reputation for excellence, the USPF is still the premier powerlifting federation.

The United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) is a Not-for-Profit Corporation.  The purpose and objectives of the Federation are to encourage, improve, and promote powerlifting in the United States.  The USPF offers high standard, quality competitions for lifters ranging from the novice to world class status.  

Sheri LeiLani Hartmann ~ USPF President

Vince Moser ~ USPF Technical Chair

Danni Hawks (Hartmann Eldridge) 

(Click here for the list of Officials and Contacts.)

The United States Powerlifting Federation came into existence in the early 1970's as a "branch" of the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and under Bob Hoffman.  According to York's Museum/Hall of Fame, "the AAU relinquished the governing rights to powerlifting in 1978 when the United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) was formed."  Joe Zarella was its first President and it was also the U.S. affiliate to the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation).  The USPF started "breaking away" from the AAU around 1980 and gained total independence from the AAU in 1981.  (Official Corporation paperwork first filed in NH in 1981.)  Official USPF documents still had "USPF of the AAU, Inc." printed on them throughout the early 1980's.  

Around 1998 the USPF became an affiliate to the WPF (World Powerlifting Federation) until 2017.  
In 2019, under the new President, Sheri Hartmann, Superior World Powerlifting -SWP was created and approved.  It is a subdivision of the USPF to offer an opportunity to once again lift in a World venue and allows the USPF to maintain its independence.
The United States Powerlifting Federation is the oldest U.S. federation devoted just to powerlifting still in continuous existence today and keeps the same high standards of powerlifting, from rules to judging, as in its  earliest years.

 Being the oldest national powerlifting federation in the U.S., the USPF has a rich heritage of powerlifting and touts a legacy of the world's best powerlifters in history.  

This page contains bits of history, photos, and our historians' blogs about the USPF.

Enjoy these incredible journeys & memories!

Be a card-carrying member of the Legacy of Legends by joining the USPF!  You don't have to be a lifter to join.

There are many aspects of the USPF for those who wish to be involved or love powerlifting.

USPF "Supporter" Memberships are now available for non-competitors.

SAVE $$$ WITH SUBSCRIPTION AUTO-PAY!

Affordability

Superior World Powerlifting - SWP

Superior World Powerlifting - SWP

The USPF offers affordable Memberships and Meet Sanctions. 

Superior World Powerlifting - SWP

Superior World Powerlifting - SWP

Superior World Powerlifting - SWP

SWP is a subdivision of the USPF to offer an opportunity to once again lift in a World venue.

Events

Superior World Powerlifting - SWP

Divisions

Full Power

S/L Squat

S/L Bench Press

S/L Deadlift

Push Pull

Divisions

Opportunities to be involved

Divisions

Raw KS – Division 3 (no sleeves or knee sleeves only, no knee wraps)

Raw KW – Division 4 (knee wraps must be worn) 

Both are Raw Divisions and follow the Rules for Raw.  The difference is the use of knee wraps in Div. 4.  Raw 4 is only available for Full Power & S/L Squat.

Single Ply - Division 1

Multi Ply - Division 2 (Monolift can only be used as a rack, swing arms must stay locked.)

Age Categories

Opportunities to be involved

Opportunities to be involved

Open:  ages 13 and over

Preteen:  9-10   11-12

Teens:  13-15   16-17   18-19

Juniors:  20-23

SubMasters:  35-39

Masters:  40-44   45-49   50-54   55-59   60-64   65-69   70-74   75-79   80+

Opportunities to be involved

Opportunities to be involved

Opportunities to be involved

 Unlike most other powerlifting federations/organizations/associations, the USPF is a Not-For-Profit Federation.  All Officials, Board Members, Chairpersons, Referees, etc. are volunteers.  We rely on volunteers to keep the legacy going and promote the sport of powerlifting to generations to come.  Let us know if you would like to be involved with the USPF. (You don't have to be a lifter.) 

Click here for more info.

More events coming soon! Scroll down for High School events.

Just as in any sport in which an athlete participates in, lifters are responsible for knowing the USPF Rules pertaining to their lifting in a meet.

Click the button for ALL High School & Middle School Events

New USPF Rules updates for 2025 have been added and posted.

Reminder:  Raw KW Division 4 is only offered in Full Power & Single Lift Squat.

Lifter Classifications

Lifter Classifications

Lifter Classifications

Find out your Lifter Classification Ranking!

Click here for your application or more info.

Meet Directors

Lifter Classifications

Lifter Classifications

Thinking of having a USPF meet?

Need a Sanction or help getting started?

Click here for more info!

USPF Hall of Fame

USPF California Hall of Fame

USPF California Hall of Fame

USPF California Hall of Fame

USPF California Hall of Fame

USPF California Hall of Fame

USPF Texas Hall of Fame

USPF Texas Hall of Fame

USPF Texas Hall of Fame

USPFC Hall of Fame

USPF Texas Hall of Fame

USPF Texas Hall of Fame

The United States Police & Fire Championships (California Association) used USPF Officials for powerlifting until the early 1990s.  Lifters were also eligible for USPF Records.  Some of these Inductees are USPF Officials and Lifters.

The United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) is a Not-for-Profit Corporation. All Officials, including the Board of Directors, Chairpersons, Referees, etc., are volunteers and are not paid by the USPF.  Any donations help fund USPF expenses and supplying banners, tees, etc. to USPF Officials. 

Thank you for your support!