Your first powerlifting competition runs under one rulebook, and the kit you bring has to match it. The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) sets out exactly what you can wear on the platform, from the singlet down to your socks, and referees check every item before you lift. This guide is a complete checklist of the IPF approved gear you need for a Classic (raw) meet, what the current rules require, and how to choose gear that keeps you eligible at any level.
What "IPF approved" actually means
The IPF keeps an official IPF Approved List of apparel and equipment. For your singlet, belt, knee sleeves and wrist wraps, the rulebook asks for items from a manufacturer on that list. Some national federations relax this at entry or regional level and accept any gear that meets the IPF specifications, but the simplest route is to buy IPF approved kit from the start, so nothing is rejected at equipment check no matter where you compete. Every product linked below is part of the Strength Shop IPF Approved range.
The IPF kit checklist at a glance
Here is the IPF approved equipment you need, item by item.
| Item | What the current IPF rules require |
|---|---|
| Singlet | One piece, form fitting, straps over the shoulders, single layer; the same singlet for all three lifts |
| T-shirt | Compulsory under the singlet for squat, bench press and deadlift; round neck, sleeves ending below the deltoid |
| Belt | Worn over the singlet; 10 cm wide and 13 mm thick at most; lever, single or double prong buckle |
| Knee sleeves | Single ply neoprene, 7 mm thick and 30 cm long at most; centred on the knee, no straps or velcro |
| Wrist wraps | 1 m long and 8 cm wide at most; the securing loop stays off the thumb during the lift |
| Socks | Shin length socks are required for the deadlift; they must not touch the knee sleeves |
| Footwear | Indoor sports shoes, weightlifting shoes or deadlift slippers; flat sole up to 5 cm, properly fastened |
The singlet: the one piece you cannot skip
Every lifter needs an IPF approved singlet, and you wear the same one across squat, bench press and deadlift. The differences come down to cut, colourway and logo, so here are the Strength Shop models side by side.
| Singlet | Cut | Colour and logo |
|---|---|---|
| Black Singlet, Unisex | Unisex | Plain black |
| Women's Singlet, Black | Women's cut | Plain black |
| Black Singlet with Grey Logo, Unisex | Unisex | Black with grey logo |
| Women's Singlet, Black with Grey Logo | Women's cut | Black with grey logo |
| Midnight Blue Singlet, Unisex | Unisex | Midnight blue |
All five are IPF approved and cut to the form fitting standard the rules ask for. Choose the unisex or women's cut first, then the colour and logo you like.
Belt, wrist wraps and knee sleeves
These three give you support where it counts, and each comes in plenty of colours.
- Belt: a lever belt is a popular first choice, because it locks to the same tension every time. The Black Lever Belt, 10mm is a solid IPF approved belt to start with; there is also a 13 mm version for more rigidity, plus single prong and double prong belts if you prefer a classic buckle. Anything up to 10 cm wide and 13 mm thick is legal.
- Wrist wraps: these come in several stiffness levels, from flexible Light wraps to the very stiff Riot Extra Thick. For a first meet, a Medium wrap balances support and comfort. Only some strengths are IPF approved wrist wraps, as the table below shows, and every approved wrap stays within the 1 m length limit.
- Knee sleeves: the 7mm Inferno Knee Sleeves are IPF approved knee sleeves that sit right at the 7 mm limit for support. The Inferno PRO uses extra stiff neoprene for more out of the bottom of your squat. Remember you cannot combine sleeves with knee wraps.
| Strength | IPF approved | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Light | No | Light Wrist Wraps |
| Medium | Yes | Medium Wrist Wraps |
| Heavy | Yes | Heavy Wrist Wraps |
| Super Heavy | Yes | Super Heavy Wrist Wraps |
| Riot Extra Thick | Yes | Riot Extra Thick Wrist Wraps |
Belts, wrist wraps and knee sleeves come in many colours, from classic black to leopard, camo, gold, pink and rainbow, so you can build a look you like while staying inside the rules.
Training IPF-compliant at home
If you want to train under the same conditions you will meet on the platform, the bar, plates and collars follow the same IPF standard. These hard goods from the IPF Approved range are approved too:
- The Calibrated 20kg Bastard Power Bar: a 29 mm power bar calibrated to within 50 g, with the 81 cm grip markings used in competition.
- The Calibrated Plates: colour coded, slim and accurate to within 10 g, with a 50 mm collar opening.
- The Competition Collars, 2.5 kg: solid steel with a secure, quick closing for a tight fit on the bar.
For a full squat and bench station, the Pro Competition Combo Rack is built to IPF specifications.
Your competition-day packing list
Pack these the night before:
- Approved singlet (plus a spare if you have one)
- Plain round-neck t-shirt that meets the sleeve rule
- IPF approved belt
- Wrist wraps and knee sleeves (both optional, both useful)
- Shin-length deadlift socks
- Lifting shoes or deadlift slippers
- Standard non-supportive briefs
- ID and federation membership card
FAQ
What does "IPF approved" mean, and do I need approved gear at my first meet?
It means the item comes from a manufacturer on the IPF Approved List. At international and record level it is required. Many national and regional meets accept gear that meets the IPF specifications even if it is not on the list, but approved kit keeps you eligible everywhere, so it is the safe choice for a first competition.
What do I wear under my singlet?
A plain t-shirt is compulsory under the singlet for all three lifts, with a round neck and sleeves that end below the deltoid. Underneath, wear standard commercial briefs without any supportive function. Shin length socks are required for the deadlift.
10 mm or 13 mm: which lever belt should I pick?
Both are legal up to the 13 mm limit. A 10 mm belt is a little more comfortable to brace against and flexes slightly more, which suits most first-time lifters. A 13 mm belt is more rigid and tends to be favoured by stronger squatters and deadlifters. Either works for your first competition.