Getting the perfect singlet is absolutely essential when it comes to powerlifting. Powerlifting requires intense strength and energy, and thus you need your singlet to be comfortable, breathable, but most importantly, it needs to be competition-legal!
The reason that your singlet needs to be competition legal is that the hosts of the competition are aiming for complete fairness amongst competitors.
Because your choice of singlet is a personal choice, the competition hosts need to impose certain rules in order to ensure all competitors are on the same playing field and are not being assisted unfairly by their clothing.
Finding the right singlet can be difficult and personal enough, but how are you supposed to ensure that you pick one that is competition legal? Singlets can be very expensive, and competition-legal singlets can cost even more due to their higher construction quality.
If you’ve encountered trouble when hunting for a competition legal powerlifting singlet then look no further than this helpful guide, wherein we will discuss some of the top things you can do to help you find the right singlet that is competition legal!
Look At The International Powerlifting Federation’s List Of Approved Singlets
The International Powerlifting Federation exists to govern the wider world of powerlifting by imposing limits and standards on the sport to ensure that all official competitions remain fair for all competitors.
The IPF is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a valid and trusted governing body.
The IPF has numerous affiliate federations around the World, including the Indian Powerlifting Federation, the Armenian Powerlifting Federation, and Powerlifting Singapore just to name a few. The standards of each federation can differ slightly.
The International Powerlifting Federation has lists of products and devices that it considers to be competition legal. They also have a list of trusted suppliers and manufacturers, so that you can make sure that you buy from a trusted source when choosing your singlet.
By using the IPF website, you can access an approved document that is updated every two years to document every competition legal singlet, belt, or bars and squat racks. This is incredibly useful and you should make sure to keep it close to hand for quick reference.
Visit Your Local Sports Store
A great way to find a competition legal singlet is to head to your local sports store, to check out the products that they have available. Look for trusted brands, like A7, to ensure that you are getting quality products that fall within legal boundaries.
If you find yourself unsure which singlet to choose, or overwhelmed by the many choices, make sure to speak to the staff members of the store what their opinions are.
Some may be highly knowledgeable in the competitive powerlifting scene and will be able to help you to make the right decision.
Asking local sports store staff is also extremely useful, as they may be knowledgeable about the local competitive powerlifting scene, and can let you know if your local powerlifting federation has any special requirements for singlets.
Get In Contact With The Local Powerlifting Scene
Do you know of any powerlifting competitions in your area? If so, try to get in contact with local competitors, or attend practice matches.
This way, you can ask those with first-hand experience with your local powerlifting federation what the best choices of singlet are, and what criteria it needs to meet.
As well as this, try to contact your local powerlifting federation, to see if it has any special requirements for singlets, as these requirements can often change between local jurisdictions.
Check Online Reviews
Another useful resource to help you make the right choice in singlets is online search engines! Simply search the internet for the best powerlifting singlets available and check the products you are met with.
When browsing through these products, check to see what some of the popular reviews are saying. This can help you to find a high-quality singlet that is comfortable, but also well-trusted.
You can also use the internet to get in contact with other powerlifters from across the world, to ask for expert opinions on the best singlets that are currently competition legal. Check powerlifting forums, or websites like Reddit, to make your inquiry.
What Are The Criteria That The International Powerlifting Federation Have?
The IPF set out a number of requirements that competition legal singlets must meet in order to be accepted. Most important is that the singlet fits the body tightly, without shifting too much during activity.
The IPF stipulates that the shoulder straps should stay on the shoulders throughout the event, without slipping.
The materials used in constructing the singlet can not impact your ability to execute lifts, as this would be largely unfair for other competitors, and would be labeled as cheating. As well as this, only approved brands can be worn.
A list of these approved brands can be found on the IPF website. Singlets can only have up to three logos, which include your name and your nationality.
It is legal to reinforce the crotch area of the singlet, but it cannot exceed 12 x 24 Cm.
There are many other criteria that competition-legal singlets need to meet, so you should make sure to check the IPF website if you are unsure, or check with your local federation, in case they have their own unique criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Wear A Wrestling Singlet For Powerlifting?
No. If you have a wrestling singlet but want to engage in official powerlifting, then you need to invest in a legal singlet designed for the sport.
A powerlifting singlet needs to be able to hug the figure so as to provide you with good breathability and to be as comfortable as possible when crouching to pick up weights.
Make sure that the singlet is not too tight so as to reveal anything potentially embarrassing, or to accidentally tear.
