United States Powerlifting Federation
The G.O.A.T. ~ USPF the Legend
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.
Our Promise
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.
Board of Directors
Sheri LeiLani Hartmann ~ USPF President
Vince Moser ~ USPF Technical Chair
Danni Hawks (Hartmann Eldridge)
Rickey Dale Crain
History
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.
The Legacy of the USPF
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!
Superior World Powerlifting
Become a USPF Referee, Meet Director, or State Chair!
Are you interested in becoming a USPF Referee, Meet Director, or State Chair? Click below and tell us a little about yourself.
USPF Tee
$20.00
Get your USPF tee! (Men's Small - 5XL). Be sure to state size with payment. (Some sizes are temporarily out of stock.) Shipping included.
USPF MEMBERSHIP
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!
Some of what the USPF offers...
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.)
USPF Meet Results
USPF Records Database
The USPF has a Records Database that includes Vintage Records from the early years to present. Click below to view the legendary USPF Records and obtain any necessary forms.
2025 USPF Events
More coming soon!
March 2025 TBD
USPF Monsters of Bench
Kennewick, WA
Event Details
March 2025 TBD
USPF Monsters of Bench
Kennewick, WA
April 2025 TBD
2025 USPF Who's Next III
Colorado
Event Details
April 2025 TBD
2025 USPF Who's Next III
Sanction pending.
Meet Director: Jesse Branham
Entry coming soon!
Colorado
August 2025 TBD
2025 USPF Money Meet
Colorado
Event Details
August 2025 TBD
2025 USPF Money Meet
Sanction pending.
Meet Director: Jesse Branham
Entry coming soon!
Colorado
TBD
2025 USPF Nationals (Open, Jrs, Sub, & Masters)
TBD
TBD
2025 USPF Nationals (Open, Jrs, Sub, & Masters)
TBD
TBD
2025 USPF Teenage & Preteen Nationals
TBD
TBD
2025 USPF Teenage & Preteen Nationals
TBD
More Events
USPF Rules & Bylaws
New USPF Rules updates for 2024 have been added and posted.
Reminder: Raw KW Division 4 is only offered in Full Power & Single Lift Squat.
Other Resources
Lifter Classifications
Lifter Classifications
Lifter Classifications
Find out your Lifter Classification Ranking!
Meet Directors
Lifter Classifications
Lifter Classifications
USPF Legends ~ Hall of Fame Inductees
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.
Officials & Contacts
Contact Us
Copyright © 2013-2024 USPF the Legend - All Rights Reserved.
The United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) - SWP is a registered Not-For-Profit Corporation.
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