I.P.F. TECHNICAL RULES

(f)Any alterations to the costume which exceed the established widths, lengths or thicknesses previously stated shall make the suit illegal for competition.

2. Undershirt
An undershirt (commonly known as a "T-shirt") of any colour or colours must be worn under the lifting suit during the performance of the squat and bench press but is optional for men in the deadlift. Women must wear an undershirt as described above while competing on all lifts. The undershirt is subject to the following provisions:
(a)Is not ribbed.
(b)Does not consist of any rubberized or similar stretchmaterial.
(c)Does not have any pockets, buttons, zippers or a reinforced collar. (See diagram below)

(d)Does not have reinforced seams.
(e)Is not constructed so as to place seams in a position which, in the opinion of the IPF, might tend to assist the lifter in powerlifting competition.
(f)Is made either exclusively of cotton or polyester, or a mixture of cotton and polyester. Denim is not acceptable.
(g)It shall not have sleeves which terminate either below the elbow or at the upper deltoid. Lifters may not push the sleeves of such an undershirt up to the deltoid when competing in IPF competitions.
(h)Fits loosely enough on the lifter's body to ensure that it does not afford the lifter any physical support.
(i)Is plain or the official T-shirt of the contest in which the lifter is competing or only bears the badge and/or inscription of the lifter's nation, national or regional federation or sponsor. That which is offensive or likely to bring the sport into disrepute is not allowed.The sponsor's logo must also conform with item 8 (h).

3. Bench Shirt
Special bench shirts as approved by the technical committee and noted in the list of appoved equipment and clothing issued periodically by the Committee may be worn for the bench press. These and similar shirts are not permitted to be worn for the execution of other lifts under any circumstances. Only an undershirt as defined in the rules may be worn during the squat and deadlift.
Conditions (a),(b),(c),(f),and (g) as defined for "Undershirt" above, item 2, also apply to the bench shirt. In addition, seams may only be placed in the positions indicated in the diagram below.

4. Undershorts
A standard commercial "athletic supporter" or standard commercial undershorts of any mixture of cotton, nylon or polyester (but not swimming trunks or any other garmentconsisting of rubberized or similar stretch material except in the waistband) may be worn under the lifting suit provided that:
(a)Any support to the body of the lifter which may be provided by the "athletic supporter" or undershorts is limited to the lifter's lower abdominal wall.
(b)The garment does not have legs and does not extend down over the lifter's thighs. (See diagram below)

(c)Women may wear protective briefs or panties provided thatthey are not deemed to be supportive in any way.They may also wear a bra provided that the bra cup does not maintain its shape when placed upright upon a flat surface.
Tampons, sanitary napkins or similar articles when used for hygiene protection are also permitted.

5. Socks
Socks may be worn.
(a)They may be of any colour or colours.
(b)They shall not be of such length on the leg that they come into contact with any knee wrapping or knee cap supporter when in use.
(c)Full length leg stockings, tights or hose are strictly forbidden.

6. Belt
Competitors may wear a belt. If worn it shall be on the outside of the lifting suit.
Materials and Construction
(a)The main body shall be made of leather or vinyl in one or more laminations which may be glued and/or stitched together.
(b)It shall not have additional padding, bracing or supports of any material either on the surface or concealed within the laminations of the belt.
(c)A standard metal buckle and studs are the only non-leather components permitted. The buckle shall be attached at one end of the belt by means of studs and/or stitching.
(d)The belt may have a buckle with one or two prongs or "quick release" type.
(e)A leather or vinyl tongue loop shall be attached close to the buckle by means of studs and/or stitching.
(f)The name of the lifter, the lifter's nation, state or club may appear on the outside of the belt.
Dimensions
1.Width of belt maximum 10 cm.
2.Thickness of belt maximum 13 cm along the main length.
3.Inside width of buckle maximum 11 cm.
4.Outside width of buckle maximum 13 cm.
5.Tongue loop maximum width 5 cm.
6.Distance between end of belt and far end of tongue loop maximum 15 cm.

• Correct Points of Measurement:
  
  

  
  
  

6. Shoes or Boots
Lifting shoes or boots shall be worn.
(a) Shoes shall be taken to include boots, sport shoes, trainers gymnastic slippers or any foot covering that has a patterned moulding or foot type outline that provides an inner sole.
(b) Shoes with metal spikes or cleats are not permitted.

7. Wraps
(a) Only wraps or bandages of a one ply commercially woven elastic that is covered with polyester, cotton or acombination of both materials; or medical crepe are permitted.Bandages of rubber or rubberized substitutes are strictly forbidden.

(b) Wraps or plasters may be used as follows:
Wrists
1.Wraps not exceeding 1 m in length and 8 cm in width may be worn. Alternatively, wrist bands not exceeding 10 cm in width may be worn. A combination of the two is not permitted.
2.If wrist bands are wrap around style, with or without stitching to form a sleeve, they may have velcro patches not exceeding 30 cm in total length and 8 cm wide for securing them as well as a thumb loop. The total length of the wrist band shall not exceed 50 cm. The velcro patches must be incorporated within the 50 cm total length. The thumb loop shall not be over the thumb during the actual lift.
3.A wrist wrap shall not extend beyond 10 cm above and 2 cm below the centre of the wrist joint and shall not exceed a total covered width of 12 cm.

Knees
4.Wraps not exceeding 2 m in length and 8 cm in widthmay be used.A knee wrap shall not extend beyond 15 cm above and 15 cm below the centre of the knee joint and shall not exceed a total covered width of 30 cm. Alternatively, an elasticated knee cap supporter not exceeding 20 cm in length may be worn. A combination of the two is strictly forbidden.
5.Wraps shall not be in contact with the socks or lifting suit.
6.Wraps shall not be used elsewhere on the body.

Plasters
7.Two layers of plasters, bandages or bandaids may be worn on the thumbs. These items may not be worn anywhere else on the body without official permission of the Jury or Chief Referee. Plasters, bandages or bandaids may not be used as aids to the lifter inholding the bar.
8.Contingent upon prior approval by the Jury, the official doctor, paramedic or paramedical personnel on duty, may apply bandages to bodily injuries in a fashion that would not grant the lifter an undue advantage.
9.At all competitions where a Jury may not be present and no medical personnel are on duty, the Chief Referee shall have jurisdiction over the use of spot plasters.

8. Inspection of Costume and Personal Equipment
(a) In large competitions when the allotted weigh in time is likely to be insufficient to allow for the inspection of costume and personal equipment, the Jury, at its discretion, may fix a separate time for the inspection and drawing of lots. In normal circumstances this shall take place one hour before the official weigh in, but may be varied as required by the Jury.
(b) A minimum of two referees or technical officers shall be appointed to fulfil this duty. All items shall be examined and approved before being officially stamped or marked.
(c) Bandages over permitted length shall be rejected, but may be cut to correct length and resubmitted within the specified inspection time.It is the lifter's responsibility to cut bandages.The examining referee is not permitted to perform this service.
(d) Any item considered unclean or torn shall be rejected.
(e) The referees shall record each item on the official inspection sheet.The inspection sheet shall be handed to the President of the Jury at the end of the inspection period.
(f) If after the inspection, a lifter appears on the platform wearing or using any illegal item or article not recorded on the inspection sheet, the lifter shall immediately be disqualified from the competition.
(g) All items mentioned previously under Costume and Personal Equipment shall be inspected prior to the competition together with any other items such as headbands, mouthpieces, ribbons, etc.that the lifter may wish to wear on the platform. Hats are strictly forbidden and may not be worn on the platform during lifting. Items such as watches, costume jewelry, eyewear and feminine hygiene articles need not be inspected.
(h) Nations or lifters wishing to take advantage of the rules regarding sponsor's logos being worn on articles of costume and personal equipment, must apply for permission to the General Secretary. The application must be made at least three months prior to the published date of the first competition, and must be accompanied by a fee of GB50 or such sum to be determined by the preceding Congress. Upon permission being granted, the logo may be suitably displayed in a position agreed between the IPF and the nation or lifter. It may be worn for the remainder of that calendar year and the following calender year. The fee shall only cover one sponsor and one nation. Additional fees of GB50 each shall be required for other sponsors wishing to add their logo to the costume or equipment. The IPF reserve the right to refuse permission if it considers that a logo falls below the required standard of good taste or contravenes any prior commitment under taken by the IPF with any other contractor such as television or championship promoter. The IPF Executive Committee reserves the right to limit the size of the logo. Nations or lifters may display national emblems or badges without payment of a fee. Similarly manufacturer's logos displayed upon IPF approved items of equipment for which a sanction has been paid will not require additional fees.
(i) The IPF is to maintain a register of approved logos. Sponsors fees for logos shall be divided 50% to the IPF and 50% to the regional federation of the lifter. If the lifters regional federation does not operate a separate bank account, then 50% of the fee will be paid to the filfters national federation. Lifters wishing to wear sponsors logos must present a current permit or receipt to the referee examining equipment.
(j) Any lifter successful in a world record attempt must immediately present himself to the three referees for inspection. If the lifter is found to be wearing illegal wraps or clothing, the lift shall be declared invalid and the lifter shall be disqualified from the competition.

9. General
(a) The use of oil, grease or other lubricants on the body, costume or personal equipment is strictly forbidden.
(b) The use of any form of adhesive on the underside of shoes or boots is strictly forbidden.
(c) Baby powder, pool hall chalk, liquid chalk, resin, talc or magnesium carbonate are the only substances that may be added to the body and attire.
(d) No foreign substances may be applied to the equipment or wraps.