Equipment check is the most stressful ten minutes of a powerlifting meet — especially if you are competing for the first time.
The table is run by judges who have seen everything. They will check your belt thickness, measure your singlet, inspect your knee sleeves for the IPF approval mark, and confirm your wrist wraps are within the legal length. If anything fails, you get a short window to find a replacement. If you cannot, you lift in the wrong category or you do not lift at all.
This has happened to Indian lifters at national meets — not because they were careless, but because the rules are detailed and not everyone reads them before their first competition. This guide walks you through every piece of equipment and exactly what is legal.
The Belt — Most Scrutinised Piece of Equipment
The belt is inspected at every meet. Here is what judges are checking:
• Maximum thickness: 13mm. A 13mm lever belt or prong belt is the maximum permitted.
• Maximum width: 10cm (approximately 4 inches). Width is measured at the widest point.
• Construction: Single-ply only. No double-belts, no layered systems, no external reinforcement.
• Material: Leather or synthetic — both are legal.
• Buckle type: Lever, single prong, or double prong — all are legal.
• Position: The belt must be worn outside the singlet, visible to judges during the lift.
Griffin Gears 13mm Lever Belt — 13mm single piece leather, 4-inch width, lever buckle. Meets IPF and PFI specifications. Starting at ₹4,940.
The Singlet — Must Be IPF-Approved for International Meets
This is where many Indian lifters get caught out. A singlet is not just any form-fitting one-piece — at the IPF level, it must come from an approved manufacturer.
• Construction: One-piece only. No separate top and bottom combinations.
• Coverage: Must cover the torso from at least the armpits to mid-thigh.
• Restrictions: No hoods, no sleeves extending past the shoulder, no additional padding or reinforcement.
• Approval: For IPF World Championship qualification events, the singlet must be from an IPF-approved manufacturer. Check ipf.com. For PFI domestic meets at lower tiers, requirements vary by event level.
Griffin Gears competition singlets are built to IPF specifications. Available in men's and women's cuts, XS to XXL, in black and blue. Priced at ₹2,500–₹3,500. Size confirmation done before dispatch.
Knee Sleeves — Legal in Raw, But Must Meet Specifications
• Thickness: 7mm maximum. 5mm sleeves are also legal.
• Length: Must not extend more than 2cm above or below the knee joint.
• Material: Neoprene only — no metal inserts, no additional stiffening.
Griffin Gears 7mm Knee Sleeves are IPF-compliant. Priced from ₹5,999.
Knee Wraps — Equipped Division Only (in IPF)
In the IPF, knee wraps are equipped-division equipment only. They are not permitted in raw powerlifting under IPF rules. Some other federations (SPF, GPC, WPC) allow wraps in their raw divisions — check your specific meet rules.
• Maximum length: 2.5 metres in most federations.
• Application: Must be applied by the lifter or a designated handler — not by judges.
Griffin Gears Knee Wraps (₹1,800) available in 2M, 2.5M, and 3M lengths.
Wrist Wraps — Legal in All Divisions
• Maximum length: 1 metre.
• Width: Not regulated — but excessively wide wraps that act as wrist guards may be questioned.
• Position: Must be worn around the wrist only — not extending onto the palm.
Griffin Gears Wrist Wraps (₹999) are USPA equipment compliant and meet PFI requirements.
Deadlift Socks — Mandatory, Not Optional
In all PFI events, the shins must be covered during deadlifts. Judges will check before your attempt. Socks must cover the skin from knee to ankle and must not have excessive holes or damage. Compression socks are fine. Braces are not.
Griffin Gears Deadlift Socks (₹699 onwards) are knee-length, IPF-approved, and available in navy.
Lifting Straps — Training Only
Lifting straps are not permitted in powerlifting competition — not in any federation, raw or equipped. They are a training tool only. Do not pack them in your meet bag.
Pre-Meet Equipment Checklist
• 13mm leather lever belt — single-ply, 4-inch width
• IPF-approved singlet (verify approval status for your meet level)
• 7mm knee sleeves — IPF spec, within joint coverage limits
• Wrist wraps — maximum 1 metre length
• Deadlift socks — knee length, no excessive damage
• Knee wraps — only if your meet/division permits them
• Lifting shoes or flat shoes — both legal; heeled shoes are permitted
Get Competition-Legal Gear at griffingears.com — Dispatched from Vasundhara, Ghaziabad in 48 Hours
Powerlifting Gear Rules in India — What Passes Equipment Check and What Gets You Red-Lighted
Equipment check is the most stressful ten minutes of a powerlifting meet — especially if you are competing for the first time.
The table is run by judges who have seen everything. They will check your belt thickness, measure your singlet, inspect your knee sleeves for the IPF approval mark, and confirm your wrist wraps are within the legal length. If anything fails, you get a short window to find a replacement. If you cannot, you lift in the wrong category or you do not lift at all.
This has happened to Indian lifters at national meets — not because they were careless, but because the rules are detailed and not everyone reads them before their first competition. This guide walks you through every piece of equipment and exactly what is legal.
The Belt — Most Scrutinised Piece of Equipment
The belt is inspected at every meet. Here is what judges are checking:
• Maximum thickness: 13mm. A 13mm lever belt or prong belt is the maximum permitted.
• Maximum width: 10cm (approximately 4 inches). Width is measured at the widest point.
• Construction: Single-ply only. No double-belts, no layered systems, no external reinforcement.
• Material: Leather or synthetic — both are legal.
• Buckle type: Lever, single prong, or double prong — all are legal.
• Position: The belt must be worn outside the singlet, visible to judges during the lift.
Griffin Gears 13mm Lever Belt — 13mm single piece leather, 4-inch width, lever buckle. Meets IPF and PFI specifications. Starting at ₹4,940.
The Singlet — Must Be IPF-Approved for International Meets
This is where many Indian lifters get caught out. A singlet is not just any form-fitting one-piece — at the IPF level, it must come from an approved manufacturer.
• Construction: One-piece only. No separate top and bottom combinations.
• Coverage: Must cover the torso from at least the armpits to mid-thigh.
• Restrictions: No hoods, no sleeves extending past the shoulder, no additional padding or reinforcement.
• Approval: For IPF World Championship qualification events, the singlet must be from an IPF-approved manufacturer. Check ipf.com. For PFI domestic meets at lower tiers, requirements vary by event level.
Griffin Gears competition singlets are built to IPF specifications. Available in men's and women's cuts, XS to XXL, in black and blue. Priced at ₹2,500–₹3,500. Size confirmation done before dispatch.
Knee Sleeves — Legal in Raw, But Must Meet Specifications
• Thickness: 7mm maximum. 5mm sleeves are also legal.
• Length: Must not extend more than 2cm above or below the knee joint.
• Material: Neoprene only — no metal inserts, no additional stiffening.
Griffin Gears 7mm Knee Sleeves are IPF-compliant. Priced from ₹5,999.
Knee Wraps — Equipped Division Only (in IPF)
In the IPF, knee wraps are equipped-division equipment only. They are not permitted in raw powerlifting under IPF rules. Some other federations (SPF, GPC, WPC) allow wraps in their raw divisions — check your specific meet rules.
• Maximum length: 2.5 metres in most federations.
• Application: Must be applied by the lifter or a designated handler — not by judges.
Griffin Gears Knee Wraps (₹1,800) available in 2M, 2.5M, and 3M lengths.
Wrist Wraps — Legal in All Divisions
• Maximum length: 1 metre.
• Width: Not regulated — but excessively wide wraps that act as wrist guards may be questioned.
• Position: Must be worn around the wrist only — not extending onto the palm.
Griffin Gears Wrist Wraps (₹999) are USPA equipment compliant and meet PFI requirements.
Deadlift Socks — Mandatory, Not Optional
In all PFI events, the shins must be covered during deadlifts. Judges will check before your attempt. Socks must cover the skin from knee to ankle and must not have excessive holes or damage. Compression socks are fine. Braces are not.
Griffin Gears Deadlift Socks (₹699 onwards) are knee-length, IPF-approved, and available in navy.
Lifting Straps — Training Only
Lifting straps are not permitted in powerlifting competition — not in any federation, raw or equipped. They are a training tool only. Do not pack them in your meet bag.
Pre-Meet Equipment Checklist
• 13mm leather lever belt — single-ply, 4-inch width
• IPF-approved singlet (verify approval status for your meet level)
• 7mm knee sleeves — IPF spec, within joint coverage limits
• Wrist wraps — maximum 1 metre length
• Deadlift socks — knee length, no excessive damage
• Knee wraps — only if your meet/division permits them
• Lifting shoes or flat shoes — both legal; heeled shoes are permitted
Get Competition-Legal Gear at griffingears.com — Dispatched from Vasundhara, Ghaziabad in 48 Hours