The USPA is excited to announce the addition of a Classic division!

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Create: 02/08/2012 - 02:22
Author: Staff
When I started the USPA, I had several conversations with the EC, as well doing a poll with hundreds of lifters, as to whether or not knee wraps or knee sleeves should be allowed in our raw division. It was evenly split down the middle with 50% wanting knee wraps, and 50% preferring knee sleeves. After careful consideration it was ultimately decided that knee sleeves would be required, and it will continue to be so under the USPA raw division rules. No changes to the raw division are being made. Since inception of the USPA I have received numerous calls and emails from lifters and have had many face to face conversations from those who would like to compete without wearing a squat suit or bench shirt, but for a variety of reasons prefer the added support of knee wraps when squatting. These lifters are not eligble to lift in the USPA raw division and are required to compete at a disadvantage against lifters in the single-ply division. So for that reason, I am adding a separate Classic division for Full meet lifters only that will enable these particular lifters to compete head-to-head. The effective date of the Classic Division will be Feb 18 at the West Coast Open meet in Concord, CA. Steve Denison USPA President.

Comments

Submitted by Jeff Hackett 1 on
What if you don't want to wear sleeves or wraps? J Hack. ... all things are possible to him that believeth.

Submitted by onekstrength on
[quote=hacketjj1]What if you don't want to wear sleeves or wraps? J Hack. ... all things are possible to him that believeth.[/quote] then don't wear them. Knee sleeves is what is allowed for RAW division, IF YOU WANT TO WEAR ANYTHING. OTherwise don't wear them. Classic Division, you can wear knee wraps. No cure for stupid!

Submitted by Jeff Hackett 1 on
[quote=onekstrength][quote=hacketjj1]What if you don't want to wear sleeves or wraps? J Hack. ... all things are possible to him that believeth.[/quote] then don't wear them. Knee sleeves is what is allowed for RAW division, IF YOU WANT TO WEAR ANYTHING. OTherwise don't wear them. Classic Division, you can wear knee wraps. No cure for stupid! [/quote] I have not read their rule book but the opening paragraph reads: "When I started the USPA, I had several conversations with the EC, as well doing a poll with hundreds of lifters, as to whether or not knee wraps or knee sleeves should be allowed in our RAW DIVISION. It was evenly split down the middle with 50% wanting knee wraps, and 50% preferring knee sleeves. After careful consideration it was ultimately decided that knee sleeves WOULD BE REQUIRED, and it will continue to be so under the USPA raw division rules.

Submitted by Ken Ufford on
Steve I have been in this sport for the past 34 years. I was not sure at first how the USPA would work out. I have long liked the USPF. I must say as a master lifter who likes to lift raw but also not having young fresh knees I think this is a great move. For me personally I like to lift with less gear these days just because it is easier and my son and I lift and I am keeping him raw to help his strength for football. I think this will be a great move. I also thank you for being so involved in bringing the USPA to the midwest for us. I think it is a great fed with the lifters in mind. Ken Ufford

Submitted by BrightonBarbell on
Thank you! I have wanted to compete in the USPA, but have held off because of the no knee wrap rule in the raw division. I love raw lifting, but, as others have mentioned, really need the knee wraps these days. I really need them when I get over 400lbs and even though they don't give you that much extra help, mentally I feel like they give me an extra 200lbs! My knees thank you!

Submitted by BrightonBarbell on
Thank you! I have wanted to compete in the USPA, but have held off because of the no knee wrap rule in the raw division. I love raw lifting, but, as others have mentioned, really need the knee wraps these days. I really need them when I get over 400lbs and even though they don't give you that much extra help, mentally I feel like they give me an extra 200lbs! My knees thank you!

Submitted by mastermonster on
Buddy McKee. Proudly sponsored by Titan Support Systems Inc. and 'Monster Barbell' Training Log: wannabebig.com / Pro Journals. "Mastermonster's Quest for the Records" I really like this. I wish other feds would follow suit if they are not going to allow knee wraps in their raw division. This is the next next most logical, and true to powerlifting's roots; thing to do. Good move!

Submitted by TNRawPower on
While I understand and applaud the effort to accommodate what the lifters want, this just further divides powerlifting. Now we have a raw, classic, single-ply and multi-ply, tested and not tested. What's next? A division for lifters who want to wear a squat suit but not a bench shirt, or a knee wraps only and a knee wraps & wrist wraps only division? Its hard enough to get a critical mass of lifters in any category without further separating the competitors. I know most lifters lift for their own PRs, but its kinda crazy when everyone places first because they are the only one in their specific federation, division, age and weight class.

Submitted by Dave Schneider on
[quote=TNRawPower]While I understand and applaud the effort to accommodate what the lifters want, this just further divides powerlifting. Now we have a raw, classic, single-ply and multi-ply, tested and not tested. What's next? A division for lifters who want to wear a squat suit but not a bench shirt, or a knee wraps only and a knee wraps & wrist wraps only division? Its hard enough to get a critical mass of lifters in any category without further separating the competitors. I know most lifters lift for their own PRs, but its kinda crazy when everyone places first because they are the only one in their specific federation, division, age and weight class. [/quote] One competitor, one trophy. Where will it all end?

Dave Schneider

Submitted by Ryan Celli on
[quote=TNRawPower]While I understand and applaud the effort to accommodate what the lifters want, this just further divides powerlifting. Now we have a raw, classic, single-ply and multi-ply, tested and not tested. What's next? A division for lifters who want to wear a squat suit but not a bench shirt, or a knee wraps only and a knee wraps & wrist wraps only division? Its hard enough to get a critical mass of lifters in any category without further separating the competitors. I know most lifters lift for their own PRs, but its kinda crazy when everyone places first because they are the only one in their specific federation, division, age and weight class. [/quote] Well said!!! Maybe it's time we start looking at what the audience wants, not the lifters! HAHAHA Do we even have an audience? A good lifter will adapt to the rules if they don't have a choice.

Submitted by krat7260 on
[quote=TNRawPower]While I understand and applaud the effort to accommodate what the lifters want, this just further divides powerlifting. Now we have a raw, classic, single-ply and multi-ply, tested and not tested. What's next? A division for lifters who want to wear a squat suit but not a bench shirt, or a knee wraps only and a knee wraps & wrist wraps only division? Its hard enough to get a critical mass of lifters in any category without further separating the competitors. I know most lifters lift for their own PRs, but its kinda crazy when everyone places first because they are the only one in their specific federation, division, age and weight class. [/quote] I have mixed feelings about this move, but also understand why fed owners feel the need to accomodate. Ultimately though, you have to ask yourself if being everything to everyone is your main objective. In other words, I think you have to ask what is better for the sport as a whole. If you believe the answer to that question is giving the lifter as many options as possible, then adding divisions is the way to go. I happen to believe that fostering competition between lifters should be the primary objective in the sport. I believe we need less divisions, not more. I believe that competing in a non-contested division goes against the very idea of competitive sport, but unfortunately, it happens in powerlifting all the time. I would ask the federations to think outside the box here. If you are going to dilute the sport with more divisions, then consider ways to counter the dilution. For example, base placings by formula in a light/heavy format vs. straight weight classes... similar to what is already being done in some of the smaller invitational meets out there. This should already be done in the womens, and masters division... where comp is almost always guaranteed to be light. Why not apply this across the board, or at least in meets where that "critical mass" is just not there? Eric Kratz

Submitted by Savage198 on
steve is a day late and a dollar short, he just following other feds who are having success already doing this and wants in. he didnt "invent" this or come up with the idea. i know RPS has been doing this since last september. so give credit where its due

Submitted by Dozer McClung on
I'm excited about this! i'm going to re-name my meet the USPA West Coast Open Powerlifting Classic!

Submitted by Karl Davenport on
I could say a lot of things since I am a Master lifter in the USPA that has competed raw and single ply (with wraps only) - I am in favor of the choice for the lifter but yearn for more competition as well and do not like the fact that I might be the only lifter in a category - for me it is not about hardware - but personal records and testing myself - most of the time I compete Master and Open - just to find the competition - and I lose a lot in the open but have some fun - I think Ryan Celli is on the right track when he says a good lifter will adapt - the reality is that the fans of the sport are participants of the sport - so the sport will continue to revolve around the lifters - there comes a time to shut up and lift - pick your fed -- your gear and do your best!

Submitted by bakiraly on
[quote=Karl Davenport]- I am in favor of the choice for the lifter but yearn for more competition as well and do not like the fact that I might be the only lifter in a category - for me it is not about hardware - but personal records and testing myself - most of the time I compete Master and Open - just to find the competition - and I lose a lot in the open but have some fun - I think Ryan Celli is on the right track when he says a good lifter will adapt - the reality is that the fans of the sport are participants of the sport - so the sport will continue to revolve around the lifters - there comes a time to shut up and lift - pick your fed -- your gear and do your best! [/quote] Just POUNDED the "LIKE" button!! Semper Fi Brian

Submitted by Steve Denison on
Thank you for the comments. I appreciate it. I'm planning on going back to using a formula for some of my meets to create that competition for various divisions. Steve Denison www.uspla.org

Submitted by george on
i lift in the masters division raw the rules are sleeves are optional.

Submitted by BioLayne on
Don't have a division that allows knee wraps... people complain Make a division that allows knees wraps... people complain Moral of the story is it seems that people complain no matter what. www.biolayne.com

Submitted by big_byrd52 on
Im wondering why people even bother to goiung to competitions when they clearly dont want to compete. If they wanted to compete they would just lift, no matter what the rules were. U think all MLB baseball players like having to swing a wood bat? Well, too damn bad, thats the only choice if they wanna play. They dont get options on how far apart the bases or pitchers mound are its all standard. Do you think they get to choose which ballparks they play in and which they dont? Some outfields are longer than others; doesnt matter. PL needs to pick a set of standards and everyone adhere. Limit the classes, the options, the ages, fire/police, left handed, red headed, single/double. You afraid you will lose lifters if everyone doesnt get a trophy? Then plaLimce the Top 3 and give everyone else a 4th place finish; thats what bodybuilding does after top 15, everyone else 16th. Meet directors figure out a way to consolidate the sport, increase competition among classes, and maintain or improve your own profits. This is 10% Luck, 20% Skill, 15% Concentrated Power of Will... 5% Pleasure, 50% Pain, and 100% Reason to Remember the Name!

Submitted by Karl Davenport on
[quote=big_byrd52]Im wondering why people even bother to goiung to competitions when they clearly dont want to compete. If they wanted to compete they would just lift, no matter what the rules were. U think all MLB baseball players like having to swing a wood bat? Well, too damn bad, thats the only choice if they wanna play. They dont get options on how far apart the bases or pitchers mound are its all standard. Do you think they get to choose which ballparks they play in and which they dont? Some outfields are longer than others; doesnt matter. PL needs to pick a set of standards and everyone adhere. Limit the classes, the options, the ages, fire/police, left handed, red headed, single/double. You afraid you will lose lifters if everyone doesnt get a trophy? Then plaLimce the Top 3 and give everyone else a 4th place finish; thats what bodybuilding does after top 15, everyone else 16th. Meet directors figure out a way to consolidate the sport, increase competition among classes, and maintain or improve your own profits. Please get a spell checker or lay off the whiskey before you post - I think the spirit of what you are trying to say is important - no pun intended!