Why and How do you choose your Powerlifting federation?

[guss]

I was in a spirited discussion on what Powerlifting federation people choose to lift at and the changing landscape of Powerlifting today. One thing we could not come to a clear conclusion is why..
We came up with a number of educated guesses and theories to this question.. Why do you choose the fed you lift at?

What is your reasons?

Sure one could say there are a host of reasons that change over time. But I think everyone has one major reason that floats to the top each time.

Is it location/venue.. is it the powerlifting federation of choice's mission... is it drug testing (or not)... is it the venue.. is it the competition?

Again.. what are your reasons?.. I don't care what Powerlifting federation you mostly lift at now. The landscape of Powerlifting is very different today then it was even 3 years ago.

Share your major reasons... Help settle a discussion.

 

[PozzSka]

With 2 kids and a wife...I just choose whichever event is close to my home. So I typically don't want to drive more than a couple hours. So far I just wait for stuff that's pretty local. When I'm putting up big numbers, then I'll go out of my way.

 

[Growinboy]

I used to just choose what was close... After a few meets you learn who puts on well run meets and takes care of the competitors...

 

[PozzSka]

I used to just choose what was close... After a few meets you learn who puts on well run meets and takes care of the competitors...

Anything good in the Ohio area (PA, IN, KY, VA, etc.) next Spring?

 

[Growinboy]

powerliftingwatch.com is a huge resource for me, you can search for meets by state... Im in the Chicago area- always something coming up around here...

 

[OldPLer]

generally whatever is close but there are a lot of meets within 2 hours of home so it is then generally timing, what is happening when i am ready to compete.

 

[hugerobb]

I dont care if Im going to lift I will go where ever Im allowed in

 

[Mad_dawg]

I go with what is close for the most part since I don't have extra money to travel very far. I usually go USPF or AAU whatever the guy is running at the time.
There are two others around and one actually has meets in my city, but I don't lift in that fed. The other, well maybe once every couple years just for fun.

 

[porky little keg]

powerliftingwatch.com is a huge resource for me, you can search for meets by state... Im in the Chicago area- always something coming up around here...

exactly this..... especially the chicago part. This area is a gold mine for multi-ply lifting......

 

[silverback]

i picked based on location, then whether or not the meet allowed unequipped/raw, then price

 

[Flathead]

Was pretty simple for me, when I was asked the join the team I just went with the federation everyone was already in (SPF).

 

[hawkeye]

I like the UPA. Pretty solid in the midwest and I know the President of the UPA and he puts on very lifter friendly meets. I think the federation based meets will eventually start to take a back seet to super meets such as the Lexen. Gene Rychalk has been trying to put this concept together for awhile now. Basically, you can be a card carrying member of whatever fed you want and compete in the super meet based on a qualifying total.