I’ve decided to do a powerlifting competition to see how I like the sport, but I have a couple of questions for anyone who might be able to help me. I’m planning to do an APA meet coming up in December and I will be competing raw.
Their rulebook says that belts cannot be more than 4in. wide (I thought it was generally 6 inches in powerlifting?). I have a Valeo belt that I measured at like 4.25in. today and I was wondering how anal they are about that? Does the extra quarter inch matter or are they just looking to eliminate 6 inch belts?
Also, in the APA, are you allowed to set up on your toes for the bench? Or do your feet have to be flat on the floor? I swear I read they had to be flat when I was perusing the rulebook a few months ago and then today I found some stuff that suggests that they don’t have to be.
I have a Titan Torro belt - no clue how wide it is - never measured it but no one said anything at my meet and no one was walking around measuring belts - you’ll be fine.
You can bench on your toes - I benched on my toes in the meet. You can’t however, “grip” the bench with your feet - in fact when I was watching my meet video I remember seeing one of hte judges specifically looking at that since I set up my feet quite narrow
Hope that helps and good luck! APA is really more about the lifters and everyone having fun than enfnorcing weird useless rules (ahumm…flat feet…) like Nazi police
[quote]ape288 wrote:
I’ve decided to do a powerlifting competition to see how I like the sport, but I have a couple of questions for anyone who might be able to help me. I’m planning to do an APA meet coming up in December and I will be competing raw.
Their rulebook says that belts cannot be more than 4in. wide (I thought it was generally 6 inches in powerlifting?). I have a Valeo belt that I measured at like 4.25in. today and I was wondering how anal they are about that? Does the extra quarter inch matter or are they just looking to eliminate 6 inch belts?
Also, in the APA, are you allowed to set up on your toes for the bench? Or do your feet have to be flat on the floor? I swear I read they had to be flat when I was perusing the rulebook a few months ago and then today I found some stuff that suggests that they don’t have to be.
Anyway, thanks for the help guys. [/quote]
From the rule book…4" is the limit and 1/2" thick. That’s 13mm BTW. Your belt will not be allowed. You need to familiarize yourself with all the rules. here
“Belt: a lifter may wear a belt provided it is no more than 4in width or 1/2in thick and shall contain no additional padding, bracing or supports of any material, either on the surface or concealed within the laminations of the belt. the belt most be worn on the outside of the lifting suit. The main body shall be made of leather or vinyl in one or more laminations which may be glued and/or stitched together. It shall not have additional padding, bracing or supports of any material on the surface or concealed within the laminations of the belt.”
" Bench Press
b) Lifters starting position is with the back of his head, shoulders and buttocks in contact with the flat bench surface. his shoes must be on the floor
c) Plates or blocks not exceeding 18cms height may be used to build up the surface of the platform, but some part of the foot must remain in contact with the surface. If blocks are used they shall not exceed 45cms by 45cms.
i) Foot movement is allowed within reason. This includes rising on toes or heals. The feet cannot leave the floor. Shuffling of the feet is not allowed."