Why powerlifting is making a comeback in 2025

The 1960s and 1970s may have been called the golden age of bodybuildingbut in my humble opinion, whatever type of fitness you like, 2025 is the best time to live.

That you are a diehard CrossFitterrunner or weightlifter, there are boxes, clubs and gyms popping up everywhere, as well as influencers and enthusiasts to connect with. One of the vessels that has gained the most importance in this tide is the powerlifting. THE British Powerlifting Federation reports that it now has more than 10,000 members and hundreds of competitions are held each year, from local to national levels. And I predict it will only get bigger.

It’s hard to underestimate the role social media has played in helping powerlifting gain traction with Gen Z lifters. Figures such as Larry Wheels have amassed millions of followers across YouTube and social platforms, sharing powerlifting videos, tips and lifestyle content. It is now not uncommon to walk into a commercial gym and see groups of teenage weightlifters gathered around the squat racks equipped with everything from belts and straps to their own “fractional plates” – as well as tripods for filming and sharing their lifts.

The sport itself is simple to understand. During a competition, athletes are allowed three attempts to pull the heaviest weight possible over three lifts: the squatter, bench press and deadliftor “the big three”, as they are also called. Competitions are typically divided by weight class and gender, or use formulas to compare the total weight lifted to the athlete’s body weight, creating a score that makes it easier for athletes to see how they measure up to weightlifters of different categories.

But of course, many will tell you that the real goal of powerlifting is to lift as much weight as possible. And maybe that’s what makes the sport so appealing to today’s gym-goers? Reducing your gym activities to raw power in just three key exercises not only gives you sharper focus, but allows you to see quantifiable progress, month after month. For a new generation of athletes, this clearly proves more motivating than the subjective gains of bodybuilding or the constantly varied nature of CrossFit.

Do you want to know how you stack up?

When you’re in the squat rack, it’s really you against you. But if you want a goal, here are the total weight standards (the sum of three lifts) for an 85 kg man.

Beginner: 269 kg

Novice: 334 kg

Intermediate: 409 kg

Advance: 492 kg

Elite: 578 kg

These totals are only averages, but they can be a good indicator of your progress.

Our Top Powerlifting Picks

“Equipped” powerlifting allows the use of specialized compression suits and shirts, as well as various wraps, which add additional weight to the athlete’s load. However, “raw” federations only allow basic aids such as a belt, chalk and wrist wraps. Here are some of our heavyweight picks:

Strength Shop Lever Belt 10mm, Black

A quality weight belt is essential for serious strength athletes, as it helps create a strong brace and “intra-abdominal pressure” – vital for stable and safe weight lifts.

Bulldog Gear Bulldog Gear Gymnastic Chalk

You can’t tear it if you can’t grip it. With straps banned in competition, raw grip strength is the name of the game, but chalk can give you an advantage. Weightlifters also apply it to their back and shoulders during squats to keep the bar in place.

Converse Chuck 70 Vintage Tops

No starter pack is complete without the shoe worn by record-breaking athletes for decades. They cite the flat sole and ankle support, but really, that’s just the vibe.