The SAD State of Powerlifting — And Where the Sport Needs to Go

Powerlifting has come a long way in the last 25 years. More people are lifting, more gyms have power racks instead of treadmills, and strength sports are finally getting some attention outside of hardcore circles. Yet for all the progress, powerlifting as a sport is still stuck in neutral.

After competing for over two decades, coaching lifters of every level, and seeing this sport rise and fall in different eras, I believe powerlifting is at a crossroads. The potential is massive—but unless we fix some foundational problems, we’re going to plateau instead of grow.

Below are the biggest issues holding the sport back—and what I believe needs to change to move the sport into a better, stronger future.

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Problem #1: Too Many Federations — Not Enough Unity

One of the biggest issues is obvious: there are simply too many federations.

Every few years, another one pops up. New rules, new standards, new judging, new records, new “world champions.” At this point, there are more world records than actual lifters. This fragmentation confuses beginners, limits sponsorships, and makes it impossible to establish a legitimate professional structure.

Solution: Consolidation and Standardization

• Powerlifting needs one dominant federation per division (tested and non-tested).
• Unified rules, unified drug testing protocols, and unified nationals/worlds would give the sport legitimacy.
• Sponsors and media companies won’t invest in something that looks disorganized—clean structure attracts money.

Imagine the NFL with eight competing organizations trying to crown their own champion. Chaos never grows a sport.

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Problem #2: Rising Competition Costs Are Pricing Out Lifters

Another major issue: the cost of competing is out of control.

We’re talking:

• $120–$200 entry fees
• $50–$100 federation memberships
• $120+ uniforms and gear
• Travel costs
• Hotel costs

And that’s just for a local meet.

For national and world competitions, some of the strongest lifters in the country still have to pay for their own flights, hotel, food, and registration—all for the privilege of representing their country.

No other sport puts this burden on its top athletes.

Solution: Revenue Redistribution + Sponsorship

If federations want to grow, they need to:

• Lower entry costs
• Redistribute revenue toward athlete stipends
• Secure sponsorship deals to cover top-lifter travel with name on singlets, not a banner. No one looks at the banner.
• Provide more livestream monetization, merch, and event marketing to offset costs. Have lifters do merch signings.

The athletes are the product. They shouldn’t have to pay to compete.

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Problem #3: Powerlifting Is Still “Boring” to the General Public

I love this sport—but we have to be honest:
For spectators, watching squat/bench/deadlift, back-to-back-to-back, no variation, no entertainment, is not exciting. Very few meets have people like Geno to liven up the place and bring entertainment to the monotony.

To us, it’s amazing.
To the general public? It’s repetitive.

Strongman figured this out a long time ago:

• Novelty
• Variety
• Big personalities
• Stories
• Visual spectacle

That’s why Strongman has TV deals and Powerlifting does not.

Solution: Entertainment Matters

To grow the audience:

• Shorter/ smaller meets. Keep things moving.
• Add optional specialty events or alternate formats (bench-only mid-event, rising bar formats, head-to-head deadlifts). throughout the year.
• Let athletes show personality—nicknames, hype videos, walkout music, short promos.
• Encourage storylines between competitors (respectful, but entertaining).
• Showcase lifters’ backgrounds, journeys, rivalries, and personalities. Rivalries in any sport are interesting and entertaining

Powerlifting doesn’t need to turn into pro wrestling—but taking cues from the entertainment world would explode viewership. People don’t follow sports… they follow characters.

When the sport allows lifters to be themselves instead of robotic platform machines, fans connect. When fans connect, the sport grows.

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Where Powerlifting Should Go From Here

To build a real future, powerlifting needs:

1. Unified federations and consistent standards.
2. Affordable competitions that don’t punish athletes financially
3. A more entertaining, spectator-friendly format
4. A culture that embraces lifter personality, storytelling, and character
5. Better sponsorship opportunities to support top athletes

Powerlifting will never grow if it stays behind closed doors for insiders only.
It should be exciting, accessible, and athlete-centered.

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My Mission as a Coach

I’ve been competing and coaching in powerlifting for over twenty years. I’ve trained lifters from novice to elite, competed at the Arnold Sports Festival, and seen every phase of this sport.

My goal now is to help lifters:

• Train smarter
• Get stronger
• Avoid injuries
• Navigate this sport with guidance that only experience can provide

If you’re a lifter who wants real coaching, real progress, and someone who understands both the sport’s history and where it’s going—I offer 1:1 coaching and consultation services for athletes at every level.

👉 If you’re serious about getting stronger, click here to work with me.

Powerlifting has incredible potential. With the right changes and the right leadership, we can help it become the sport it deserves to be.