We are pleased to announce the first set of sanctioned strength meets put on by the US Strengthlifting Federation – The 2017 Starting Strength Challenge.

The meets will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2, 2017.

Strength meets are unique competitions that allow lifters to establish their one-repetition maximum attempts in the squat, press, and deadlift. Equipment allowed is limited to belts, knees sleeves, wrist wraps, and shoes. All deadlifts are pulled conventionally. Lifters don’t weigh in. They weigh out after their last deadlift attempt. The meets are run by Starting Strength Coaches from around the United States. Rules that govern the strength meets are available at:

US Strengthlifting Federation Rules (PDF)

The locations taking part are shown below. Clicking on a location gives information about each meet and a sign up link.

Locations with Meet Directors:

Gig Harbor, WA – Andrew Jackson, Anna Marie Oakes Joudy

Wichita Falls, TX – Nick Delgadillo

Gardiner, NY – Kelli Nielson, Peter Nathan

Atlanta, GA – Alex Kennedy

Long Island City, NY – Dana Zilber

Oakland, CA – Tom Campitelli

Chicago, IL – David Abdemoulaie

Omaha, NE – Phil Meggers

All of the strength meets that take place as part of the 2017 Challenge will have their results combined and a national winner for women and men in the open and masters divisions will be announced. These meets will also serve as qualifying contests for a national competition to be held in January 2018 at a location to be determined. For the first year, successfully making a total in one of our sanctioned local meets will qualify you for the national competition.

We look forward to seeing you on the platform this April.