Revolution Powerlifting Synidcate (RPS)

RPS LogoRevolution Powerlifting Syndicate was founded by Gene Rychlak in August 2011 in an effort to unite the powerlifting community from all federations. Mission Statement It is the sole intent of the Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate to provide powerlifting competitors an environment in which they may compete at their highest level utilizing the best possible equipment and conditions to perform the squat, bench press and deadlift in the presence of three qualified referees and judged to the long standing and integral criteria of the sport of powerlifting while being shown respect, embraced as a peer and heard as an individual not a commodity. Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate (RPS) Command Chain The RPS President has the power to supplement or change the rules in this Rulebook if situations arise and are undefined in this Rule Book. He will make final judgments should the Competition Advisory Committee be unable to settle a discrepancy. The members of the Competition Advisory Committee have the final decision in all discrepancies. They are the governing body for the RPS. The Senior members of the Competition Advisory Committee are responsible for testing new referees and designating Referee Status see REFEREE section. The Meet Director is responsible for the general flow of the competition, selection of referees and other meet staff. The meet director is also included in any consultation regarding a discrepancy during the competition. The meet director is also responsible for sending meet results to the records custodian and to Powerlifting U.S.A. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT All lifters are required to wear a one-piece suit (singlet, onesie). Exceptions to wearing the singlet may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis due to the special need or physical restriction of individual lifters. An non-compressive undergarment may be worn to extend the length of leg covered by fabric. The length of the leg of the singlet or undergarment may not cover the knee. ***A referee MUST do a visual inspection of the lifter's uniform, attire and equipment, etc. after a successful world record attempt is made. The referee must check the lifter's equipment on the platform immediately following the lift. If the lifter is wearing illegal attire, the record will not count and the attempt will be disqualified. Lifters may be subject to random equipment checks as well as speculative equipment checks performed by any authorized RPS Committee Members or Referees. For "Geared" Lifting SQUAT SUIT Squat suit leg may not exceed six (6) inches from the middle of the crotch to the knee when worn. Squat briefs are allowed and are limited to the same number of plies as the squat suit. The squat suit qualifies as the one-piece lifting suit during the event. SINGLE PLY – one knit or woven layers is allowed. All single ply equipment will be inspected and tagged at weigh-in and checked again on the platform in the event of a record. Squat briefs are limited to being legless and cannot extend above the navel. AMATEUR DIVISION – a maximum of two (2) sewn layers is allowed. PROFESSIONAL DIVISION – any number of sewn layers is allowed. There is no restriction on the thickness or type of material as long as it is one suit BENCH SHIRTS SINGLE PLY – one knit or woven layers is allowed. All single ply equipment will be inspected and tagged at weigh-in and checked again on the platform in the event of a record. AMATEUR DIVISION – a maximum of two (2) sewn layers is allowed. PROFESSIONAL DIVISION – any number of sewn layers is allowed as long as it is constructed as one shirt. There is no restriction on the thickness or type of material as long as it is one suit. Sleeves must be pulled up and must rest above the elbow and expose the entire joint. A lifter is not permitted to wear multiple shirts in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage. Bench shirts will be permitted only 1 collar or "Superneck". A shirt that has more than 1 collar or "Superneck" will be deemed illegal. Bench shirts cannot have any sewn banding that runs along or around the sleeve mimicking a harness. Shirts demonstrating such alterations will be deemed "illegal" and lifter will not be permitted to wear the garment. Sleeves can be bunched up, but no extra material can be sewn onto the sleeve itself. Referees have the authority to ask a competitor to change bench shirts if they deem it unsafe or the lifter demonstrates an inability to control the lift due to their equipment. Lifters are not permitted to place an object beneath their bench shirt in an effort to artificially shorten their bench stroke. Women are permitted to wear a sports bra and/or tank top under their equipment. Men may only wear a tank top with straps not to exceed 3 inches under their shirts with the exception of when extremely hot weather is present and excessive sweating would prevent a lifter from obtaining a proper base. Permission can be granted by either a Senior Referee or Member of the Executive Committee for a lifter to wear a t-shirt covering the complete shoulder. If any Bench shirt model has been deemed to contain illegal modifications or circumvent the spirit of fair play, a master list of "Banned" equipment will be made available to the general membership. The Bench shirt MUST be worn INSIDE the singlet not outside. See Belt section on buckle visibility during the bench. A Belt may be worn by a competitor at their discretion. SQUAT and DEADLIFT – A lifter may wear their belt either on the inside or outside of their suit, with the buckle in any position. BENCH PRESS - 3 methods are acceptable Outside of lifters singlet. Inside of singlet with the front of singlet cut from the neckline to the belt buckle to allow judges can see the belt buckle. Inside of singlet with a hole is cut in the singlet to allow the buckle to be exposed. Maximum width of the belt is not to exceed 4 ½ inches. Thickness of the belt may not exceed 1/2 inch. Material construction of the belt or closure type is not restricted. Wrist wraps cannot exceed 48 inches long or 3 inches wide. A wrist wrap may come in contact with the palm, but cannot overlap it coming in direct contact with the bar. Only one wrap is permitted per wrist. Thumb loops on wrist wraps must be removed from any finger before executing the lift. "Casting" where wrapped past mid-forearm to "mimic" a hard cast is not permitted. Knee wraps shall not exceed three (3) meters in length or three (3) inches in width. A single layer knee sleeve can be worn, but wraps and sleeves may not be combined. Knee wraps must be secured by using the "cinch" method. Securing knee wrap with Velcro is not acceptable. Knee wraps may not touch the socks or the lifting suit when upright. Contact is allowed during the execution of the lift. No objects are allowed under the single knee wraps. Footwear is optional during all lifts. Cleated or spiked shoes are not permitted. Socks may not overlap the knee or not touch the knee wrap in an upright position. Contact is allowed during the execution of the lift. Full leg coverings are not permitted during competition. T-shirts – Shirts with sleeves that end above the elbow or no sleeves may be worn. Shirts may be decorated with any design or logo provided it is not obscene or profane. Elbow Sleeves - Single layer elbow sleeves are permitted during the squat and deadlift, but not in the bench press. Mouth/Teeth Guards are optional and not regulated. For "RAW" Lifting Squat and dead lift equipment is limited to belt, wrist wraps. Elbow sleeves are permitted in both Classic and Modern Divisions. Raw Classic - may wear neoprene or elastic knee sleeves during warm-ups and in between official attempts. But once summoned to the platform, the sleeves must be pulled down onto competitors shin and calf. Knee wraps are not permitted, if knee wraps are to be worn, the Raw Modern division applies. Raw Modern – may use knee wraps. Knee wraps shall not exceed three (3) meters in length or three (3) inches in width. A single layer knee sleeve can be worn, but wraps and sleeves may not be combined. Knee wraps must be secured by using the "cinch" method. Securing knee wrap with Velcro is not acceptable. Knee wraps may not touch the socks or the lifting suit when upright. Contact is allowed during the execution of the lift. No objects are allowed under the single knee wraps. Bench equipment is limited to belt, wrist wraps. No support may be worn on the elbows or chest. Belt maximum width is not to exceed 4 ½ inches. Thickness of the belt may not exceed 1/2 inch. Material construction of the belt or closure type is not restricted. Wrist wraps cannot exceed 48 inches long or 3 inches wide. A wrist wrap may come in contact with the palm, but cannot overlap it coming in direct contact with the bar. Only one wrap is permitted per wrist. Thumb loops on wrist wraps must be removed from any finger before executing the lift. "Casting" where wrapped past mid-forearm to "mimic" a hard cast is not permitted. Footwear is optional during all lifts. Cleated or spiked shoes are not permitted. Socks may not overlap the knee or not touch the knee wrap in an upright position. Contact is allowed during the execution of the lift. Full leg coverings are not permitted during competition. T-shirts – Shirts with sleeves that end above the elbow or no sleeves may be worn. Shirts may be decorated with any design or logo provided it is not obscene or profane. Elbow Sleeves - Single layer elbow sleeves are permitted during the squat and deadlift, but not in the bench press. Mouth/Teeth Guards are optional and not regulated. GENERAL RULES No foreign substance may be applied to the platform or equipment. The use of oil, grease or other lubricants on the body, suit or personal equipment is forbidden. Powder may be used including chalk, talc, resin and magnesium carbonate or baby powder (pool hall "block chalk" is also allowed). Powder shall only be applied in designated lifting areas. Water may be used as lubrication for the dead lift only when provided by the meet director in a spray bottle. Meet directors will provide chalk to lifters in the warm-up area and on the platform. MEN’S DIVISIONS 114 123 132 148 165 181 198 148 165 181 198 220 242 275 308 SHW WOMEN’S DIVISIONS 97 105 114 123 132 148 165 181 198 220 SHW Website Facebook President & Founder: Gene Rychlak, Jr. 610-948-7823, 484-363-3983, gene@revolutionpowerlifting.com