Is Powerlifting the Big Fitness Trend of 2025?
The 1960s and 70s may have been dubbed the golden era of bodybuilding, but in my humble opinion, whatever flavour of fitness you’re into, 2025 is the greatest time to be alive.
Whether you’re a diehard CrossFitter, runner or weightlifter, there are boxes, clubs and gyms popping up all over the place, as well as influencers and enthusiasts to connect with. One of the ships that has risen most prominently on this tide is powerlifting. The British Powerlifting Federation reports that it now has over 10,000 members, with hundreds of competitions held every year, all the way from the local to national level. And I predict it’s only getting bigger.
It’s hard to understate the part 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, advice and lifestyle content. It’s now not uncommon to walk into a commercial gym and see groups of teen lifters gathered around the squat racks equipped with everything from belts and straps to their own ‘fractional plates’ – as well as tripods to film and share their lifts.
The sport itself is simple to understand. During a competition, athletes get three attempts to pull the heaviest weight possible across three lifts: the squat, bench press and deadlift, or ‘the big three’ as they’re also known. Competitions are typically divided by weight class and gender, or they 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 against lifters from different categories.
But of course, many would tell you that what powerlifting’s really about is lifting as much weight as possible. And perhaps that’s what’s so attractive about the sport to today’s gym-goer? Narrowing your gym pursuits down to raw power in just three key lifts not only gives you a sharper focus but allows you to see quantifiable progress, month on month. To a new generation of lifters, this is clearly proving more motivating than the subjective gains of bodybuilding or the constantly varied nature of CrossFit.
Want to Know How You Measure Up?
When you’re in the squat rack, it really is you vs you. But if you want a goal, these are the standards for total weight (the sum of all three lifts) for an 85kg man.
Beginner: 269kg
Novice: 334kg
Intermediate: 409kg
Advanced: 492kg
Elite: 578kg
These totals are just averages, but they can act as a good gauge of your progress.
Our Top Powerlifting Picks
‘Equipped’ powerlifting allows the use of specialist compressive suits and shirts, as well as various wraps, that add extra poundage to a lifter’s load. ‘Raw’ federations, however, only allow basic aids such as a belt, chalk and wrist wraps. Here are some of our heavyweight picks:
10mm Lever Belt, Black
A quality lifting belt is essential for serious strength athletes, helping create a strong brace and ‘intra-abdominal pressure’ – vital for stable, safe lifts.
Bulldog Gear Gym Chalk
You can’t rip it if you can’t grip it. With straps outlawed in competition, raw grip strength is the name of the game, but chalk can give you an edge. Powerlifters also apply it to their back and shoulders during squats to keep the bar in place.
Chuck 70 Vintage High Tops
No starter pack is complete without the shoe worn by record-breaking lifters for decades. They cite the flat sole and ankle support, but really, it’s just the vibe.
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