33 powerlifting quiz questions with answers on the squat, the bench press, the deadlift, competition rules and equipment. Reveal each answer as you go.
Each question comes with three options and keeps the correct one behind a button, so a training group can play it honestly. The answer key under the scoring table repeats all 33 powerlifting trivia questions and answers in order if you want them in one list. The set works as a round of powerlifting quiz questions for a gym evening, and the questions about powerlifting begin with the basics before the powerlifting trivia turns to federation rules and judging.
1. What are the three main lifts in powerlifting?
- A) Bench press, deadlift, squats
- B) Snatch, clean and jerk, deadlift
- C) Bench press, clean and jerk, squats
2. Which of these lifts is not contested in powerlifting?
- A) The squat
- B) The clean and jerk
- C) The bench press
3. What is the main difference between a regular squat and sumo squat in powerlifting?
- A) Foot position
- B) Barbell placement
- C) Range of motion
4. What is the youngest age category in IPF sanctioned competitions?
- A) Sub-junior
- B) Junior
- C) Youth
5. In which weight class can a male competitor weighing 75 kg compete?
- A) 66-74 kg
- B) 74-83 kg
- C) 83-93 kg
6. What does the acronym RAW stand for in powerlifting?
- A) Real Athletic Work
- B) Response After Weight
- C) None of the above
7. What is the name of the suit worn by equipped lifters to assist them during squats?
- A) Squat suit
- B) Deadlift suit
- C) Bench shirt
8. In a competition bench press, which parts of the body must stay in contact with the bench throughout the lift?
- A) The feet
- B) The elbows
- C) The head, shoulders and buttocks
9. What term refers to a lifter’s body position when they complete the lift?
- A) Lockout
- B) Press
- C) Drive
10. Which organization was originally responsible for writing powerlifting rules before the creation of the IPF?
- A) The AAU
- B) The IWF
- C) The WABDL
11. What is the weight of the standard barbell used in men’s powerlifting competitions?
- A) 15 kg
- B) 20 kg
- C) 25 kg
12. What is the term used when a powerlifter drops from a higher weight class to a lower one?
- A) Calibrating
- B) Cutting
- C) Transitioning
13. What is a common injury among powerlifters due to the high-intensity nature of the sport?
- A) Herniated disc
- B) Broken finger
- C) Sprained ankle
14. Which type of grip is commonly used while performing a deadlift in powerlifting?
- A) Double overhand grip
- B) Mixed grip
- C) Hook grip
15. What is the job of the spotters and loaders at a powerlifting meet?
- A) They judge whether the lift counts
- B) They hand out and take back the bar and keep the lifter safe
- C) They announce the next attempt
16. Which federation is recognized as the international governing body of powerlifting?
- A) The IWF
- B) The AAU
- C) The IPF
17. In competition, how many attempts does a lifter have for each of the three main lifts?
- A) Two
- B) Three
- C) Four
18. Which of these lifts is typically performed first in a powerlifting competition?
- A) Squat
- B) Bench press
- C) Deadlift
19. What substance is commonly applied to lifters’ hands to improve their grip during powerlifting exercises?
- A) Chalk
- B) Baby powder
- C) Vaseline
20. What is the name of the technique often used by powerlifters during the bench press to reduce range of motion and increase the amount of weight lifted?
- A) Arching
- B) Bouncing
- C) Power grip
21. In which decade was the first women’s powerlifting competition held?
- A) 1960s
- B) 1970s
- C) 1980s
22. What is the sum of a lifter's best squat, bench press and deadlift called?
- A) The max
- B) The total
- C) The score
23. Which of the following cues is often used to describe the proper technique for initiating a deadlift?
- A) Push the earth away
- B) Pull the barbell up
- C) Swing the hips forward
24. What is the term used to describe a failed lift due to improper technique or the inability to complete the lift?
- A) No lift
- B) Red light
- C) Failure
25. What is a deload in a powerlifting training program?
- A) Dropping the bar from lockout
- B) Removing plates mid-set
- C) A planned period of reduced training volume
26. What is another name for the sumo deadlift?
- A) Wide stance deadlift
- B) Narrow stance deadlift
- C) Super deadlift
27. What type of shoes are recommended for powerlifting to provide stability and support during main lifts?
- A) Running shoes
- B) Flat-soled shoes
- C) High-top shoes
28. What is the role of the official who calls out commands to the lifter during a powerlifting competition?
- A) Head judge
- B) Technical officer
- C) Chief referee
29. What happens if a lifter fails all three attempts in one of the three lifts?
- A) Only that lift scores zero
- B) They finish the meet without a total
- C) They are given a fourth attempt
30. What is a common term used to describe the point in a squat where the hips are below the top of the knees?
- A) Full squat
- B) Below parallel
- C) Deep squat
31. What equipment is mandatory for a powerlifter to wear during official competitions?
- A) Singlet, t-shirt, and shoes
- B) Knee sleeves, wrist wraps, and belt
- C) Weightlifting gloves, headband, and compression shorts
32. What is the purpose of wearing knee sleeves or knee wraps during powerlifting?
- A) To provide compression and support to the knees
- B) To help lift more weight
- C) To increase stability and balance
33. In order to be considered a “good lift” in competition, how many out of the three judges must give a white light?
- A) One
- B) Two
- C) Three
Results
| # of Correct Answers | Percentage Range | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0- | 0-49% | Weight WeaklingArmchair Athlete | You've got some learning to do, but don't worry, there's always the next game! |
| - | 50-64% | Lift LearnerRookie Runner | Not bad! Keep practicing, and you'll be a sports trivia champ in no time. |
| - | 65-79% | Barbell BeginnerMidfield Maestro | Impressive! You're getting closer to the top, keep up the good work. |
| - | 80-94% | Strength SpecialistAll-Star Striker | Wow, you really know your sports trivia! You're a force to be reckoned with. |
| -33 | 95-100% | Powerlifting ProLegendary Champion | Unbelievable! You're a true sports trivia master. Your knowledge knows no bounds! |
Powerlifting Quiz Answers: The Full Answer Key
Every question in this powerlifting quiz with its correct answer, in the order the questions appear above. Check your score against the table, or use the list as a set of powerlifting trivia questions and answers for a quiz night of your own.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What are the three main lifts in powerlifting? | A) Bench press, deadlift, squats |
| 2 | Which of these lifts is not contested in powerlifting? | B) The clean and jerk |
| 3 | What is the main difference between a regular squat and sumo squat in powerlifting? | A) Foot position |
| 4 | What is the youngest age category in IPF sanctioned competitions? | A) Sub-junior |
| 5 | In which weight class can a male competitor weighing 75 kg compete? | B) 74-83 kg |
| 6 | What does the acronym RAW stand for in powerlifting? | C) None of the above |
| 7 | What is the name of the suit worn by equipped lifters to assist them during squats? | A) Squat suit |
| 8 | In a competition bench press, which parts of the body must stay in contact with the bench throughout the lift? | C) The head, shoulders and buttocks |
| 9 | What term refers to a lifter's body position when they complete the lift? | A) Lockout |
| 10 | Which organization was originally responsible for writing powerlifting rules before the creation of the IPF? | A) The AAU |
| 11 | What is the weight of the standard barbell used in men's powerlifting competitions? | B) 20 kg |
| 12 | What is the term used when a powerlifter drops from a higher weight class to a lower one? | B) Cutting |
| 13 | What is a common injury among powerlifters due to the high-intensity nature of the sport? | A) Herniated disc |
| 14 | Which type of grip is commonly used while performing a deadlift in powerlifting? | B) Mixed grip |
| 15 | What is the job of the spotters and loaders at a powerlifting meet? | B) They hand out and take back the bar and keep the lifter safe |
| 16 | Which federation is recognized as the international governing body of powerlifting? | C) The IPF |
| 17 | In competition, how many attempts does a lifter have for each of the three main lifts? | B) Three |
| 18 | Which of these lifts is typically performed first in a powerlifting competition? | A) Squat |
| 19 | What substance is commonly applied to lifters' hands to improve their grip during powerlifting exercises? | A) Chalk |
| 20 | What is the name of the technique often used by powerlifters during the bench press to reduce range of motion and increase the amount of weight lifted? | A) Arching |
| 21 | In which decade was the first women's powerlifting competition held? | B) 1970s |
| 22 | What is the sum of a lifter's best squat, bench press and deadlift called? | B) The total |
| 23 | Which of the following cues is often used to describe the proper technique for initiating a deadlift? | A) Push the earth away |
| 24 | What is the term used to describe a failed lift due to improper technique or the inability to complete the lift? | A) No lift |
| 25 | What is a deload in a powerlifting training program? | C) A planned period of reduced training volume |
| 26 | What is another name for the sumo deadlift? | A) Wide stance deadlift |
| 27 | What type of shoes are recommended for powerlifting to provide stability and support during main lifts? | B) Flat-soled shoes |
| 28 | What is the role of the official who calls out commands to the lifter during a powerlifting competition? | C) Chief referee |
| 29 | What happens if a lifter fails all three attempts in one of the three lifts? | B) They finish the meet without a total |
| 30 | What is a common term used to describe the point in a squat where the hips are below the top of the knees? | B) Below parallel |
| 31 | What equipment is mandatory for a powerlifter to wear during official competitions? | A) Singlet, t-shirt, and shoes |
| 32 | What is the purpose of wearing knee sleeves or knee wraps during powerlifting? | A) To provide compression and support to the knees |
| 33 | In order to be considered a "good lift" in competition, how many out of the three judges must give a white light? | B) Two |
Stay informed about common powerlifting injuries to prevent them and keep your training on track.
Hungry for More? Check out these Resources!
- Our posts about Powerlifting
- Wikipedia
- International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)
- IPF YouTube Channel
FAQ
How many questions are in this powerlifting quiz?
There are 33. Every question gives three options, and the correct answer is hidden behind the reveal button below it.
Where are the powerlifting trivia questions and answers listed together?
In the answer key under the scoring table. It repeats all 33 questions in order with the correct answer beside each one.
Are these powerlifting quiz questions hard?
The lifts, the equipment and the training terms are fair for anyone who trains. The federation rules, the judging commands and the competition procedure are aimed at people who have actually competed.
Can I use this quiz with a training group?
Yes. Read the question and the three options out loud, have everyone write down a letter, then go through the answer key and count the correct ones.
Is this powerlifting quiz suitable for beginners?
The first third is. It covers the three lifts, the standard bar weight, grip and chalk, which is roughly what a lifter picks up in the first months of training.
What is a good score on this powerlifting quiz?
More than half is a good result. The scoring table turns your total into a rank, from Weight Weakling at the bottom to Powerlifting Pro at the top.
What are some good questions to ask about powerlifting?
The ones with a single documented answer: what the three lifts are, how many attempts a lifter gets, how many white lights make a good lift. All three are above.
What is the difference between raw and equipped powerlifting?
Raw lifters use a belt, wrist wraps and knee sleeves at most. Equipped lifters add a supportive squat suit, bench shirt or deadlift suit, which allows considerably heavier lifts.
What is the difference between powerlifting and weightlifting?
Powerlifting contests the squat, bench press and deadlift for maximum weight. Olympic weightlifting contests the snatch and the clean and jerk, which are explosive overhead lifts.
