Powerlifting vs Weightlifting
They are different sports. Powerlifting totals a squat, a bench press, and a deadlift. Weightlifting totals a snatch and a clean and jerk.
The scorecards
The IWF technical rules say weightlifting recognizes two lifts, in this order: the snatch, then the clean and jerk. Each lifter gets three attempts per lift. The total is the best good snatch plus the best good clean and jerk. Both lifts must succeed or there is no total.
The IPF total needs a good squat, a good bench press, and a good deadlift, again with three attempts on each. The bench press does not exist in weightlifting. The snatch and the jerk do not exist in powerlifting.
| Powerlifting | Weightlifting | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifts | Squat, bench press, deadlift | Snatch, clean and jerk |
| Order | Squat, then bench, then deadlift | Snatch, then clean and jerk |
| Attempts | Three per lift | Three per lift |
| Total | Sum of three best lifts | Best snatch + best clean and jerk |
| Failed lift | That attempt is lost | A zero on either lift wipes the total |
| Bar path | Mostly up from the rack or floor | Overhead in one or two pulls |
What I am not listing
I am not printing an IWF body-weight table. The 2026 class list was not in the PDF I could read. Powerlifting classes are on weight classes. The clean and press used to be a third weightlifting lift and was removed; Wikipedia records that history, and it is not a current attempt.
FAQ
Is weightlifting the same as powerlifting?
No. Weightlifting means the Olympic lifts. Powerlifting means squat, bench, and deadlift.
Which one has a bench press?
Powerlifting. Weightlifting has no bench press.
Sources
- IPF Technical Rulebook 2026 v3 checked 2026-11-09
- IWF Technical Rules 2025 checked 2026-11-09
- Wikipedia summary: Powerlifting checked 2026-11-09
- Wikipedia summary: Olympic weightlifting checked 2026-11-09
Limitation: this comparison covers the cited federation rules and does not substitute for a competition-specific entry pack.