How Long is a Powerlifting Meet?
How Long is a Powerlifting Meet? Regardless of the federation (USAPL, USPA, others) you choose to compete in, powerlifting meets generally take between 6 and 10 hours. A small, local meet can sometimes be about six hours, but large meets can take all day.
In this guide, we will discuss the different parts of a powerlifting meet and the length of each event so you can get a better idea how long a powerlifting meet traditionally lasts.
Parts of a Powerlifting Meet
There are many different parts of a powerlifting meet. Each part or factor contributes to the total event time.
- Weigh Ins
- Equipment Checks
- Warm ups
- Squat
- Bench
- Deadlift
- Breaks
- Award Ceremony
There are also some meet day problems which could cause the meet day to last longer.
- Competitor Injuries
- Attempt Re-Takes
- Technology Mishaps
Let’s discuss each of these parts in more detail below.
Weigh Ins
The first portion of a powerlifting meet includes weigh ins.
During weigh ins, each athlete will be weighed to determine their weight class.
Weigh ins last two hours. You will have this entire length of time to make weight if you fail on the first try.
However, hopefully you will make weight on the first try and then can proceed to equipment checks and warming up for your first event.
I would recommend showing up early for weigh ins. You should definitely show up early if you are a light weight lifter. Light lifters are called first for weigh ins. You do not want to miss weigh ins because then you have less time for equipment checks or warm ups.
Once you warm up, you can do equipment checks and eat breakfast before warming up.
Equipment Checks
Remember that equipment checks take place at the start of the meet during weigh ins. Technically, you can probably get to your meet a few minutes before weigh ins so you can get your equipment checks done.
If you are new, equipment checks will probably take about 20 minutes. You will find your rack heights for squat and bench press.
At some competitions, you will be able to go in the night before to get your rack heights or simply send/email them to the meet directors.
Warm ups
Warm ups for the squat technically happen during the two hour weigh in period. During this time, you will also have a ten minute rules briefing.
If you are in the first flight (more below) you should eat a meal and then start warm ups immediately.
Remember that you can always slow down, but speeding up to warm up your last squats can be rough. You will want to time your warm ups so you have about 2-5 minutes between warm ups. Your meet director will keep you informed of the time before your flight starts competing.
If you are in the first flight, you want to start warming up sooner. If you are in the second flight, you can probably delay your warm ups by 30 minutes or so.
Each flight will take between about 21-42 minutes to complete all three squat attempts before the next flight starts to compete. Factor the number of flights into the length of the day.
If your competition is just one flight with ten lifters, expect each discipline to take 30 minutes, and the meet to take about 2-3 hours.
If your competition is two flights with 14 lifters per flight, count on 42 minutes per flight and 84 minutes per event. The competition itself should take around 4 hours and 12 minutes ( 252 minutes ) to five hours to complete.
Squat
The squat competition takes between 30 minutes and 90 minutes, depending on the number of lifters and the number of flights. Count on 3 minutes per competitor plus about 10-30 minutes for miscellaneous.
If your meet includes 10 people, it probably takes about 30-45 minutes to finish the squat portion of the meet. If 40 people are competing, the squat event could take about 2 hours or longer.
You might also receive a ten minute break after all lifters have finished their squats.
Bench
You will progress through the bench press in the same format as the squat.
If you are in a two or three flight meet, you should start warming up for bench press while the other athletes are finishing their squats. If you happen to be in flight C, you will have time to warm up bench press while the first two flights compete the bench press.
Like the squat, each lifter is given three attempts for bench at one minute per attempt.
After each lifter has finished their bench press, you will probably have a ten minute break.
Deadlift
As you may expect by now, you will progress through the deadlift in the same pattern as the first two lifts. Depending on the number of competitors in your meet, the deadlift event will take between thirty minutes and about two hours.
Breaks
Depending on your competition length, you may receive breaks between events. You may receive a ten minute break between squat and bench or bench press and deadlift, or both. Depending on the number of flights in your meet, expect to have a considerable amount of downtime.
Make sure you have a go to warm up routine between events to keep your body limber and your mind mentally checked in to the competition. Also remember to rest when able, eat and drink when you need to to keep your energy levels up.
Awards Ceremony
Awards Ceremonies take quite a long time in a powerlifting meet due to the different divisions and weight classes. The award ceremony takes about 45 minutes to one hour after the end of the competition.
It is considered good etiquette to stay for the entire awards ceremony.
Meet Day Problems
A number of mistakes and mishaps can happen during a powerlifting meet that will make the day last longer than usual.
Competitor Injuries
Powerlifting is not prone to many catastrophic accidents. However, injuries can and do occur. In the case of a torn tendon, back injury, or other accident, the meet will be held up to get medical care for the injured competitor.
If this happens, expect the meet to take longer.
Technology Mishaps
Many meet directors rely on software to determine placings as well as competitor order. However, technology is prone to failure. If the system dies during a meet, expect to tack on 10 to 30 minutes to the length of the meet.
Attempt Re-Takes
Once in a while, competitors may get four or more attempts for an event. This may happen when lifters attempt an American record attempt, or when the wrong weight was on the bar and a lifter requests another attempt.
Finishing Thoughts
A powerlifting meet is a very long day lasting between 6 and 10 hours or more. Expect to expend a lot of energy through warm ups, competitive attempts and breaks. The sheer length of the meets makes for a very long and tiring day.
How long have your meets been? Let me know if the comments below.
