600lbs & 1000lbs Lifting Club
April 1, 2025
Considered the “gold standard” of the lifting community, the purpose of the 600 Pound Club and the 1,000 Pound Club is to recognize the effort and dedication necessary to achieve membership. Similar to a runner’s marathon, the clubs are possible for anyone — but only achieved by the truly committed.
Membership
Join this elite club by performing one repetition of a back squat, bench press and deadlift. After completion, the total amount of each lift must collectively equal or surpass a total of 600 pounds (female participants only) or 1,000 pounds (male or female).
Registration
Participation is free. Register online in advance. All members who complete their goal will receive a commemorative t-shirt to wear proudly and will have their name posted on the Wall of Fame.
Rules and Eligibility
Open to all members ages 18+ with regular fitness membership. All lifts must be performed on the same day within a 60-minute time period, with multiple attempts permitted if desired.
Lifts must be judged by a designated member of the Fitness Staff to obtain credit. The judge is fully authorized to deny membership qualification based on the lifting requirements listed in the International Powerlifting Federation Technical Rulebook guidelines.
Apparel
- Shoes and barefoot (with socks) are allowed.
- Weightlifting belt allowed.
- Wrist wraps, knee sleeves, elbow sleeves and chalk are allowed.
- No other gear is allowed.
- Bring your own gear, XCAL will not provide any gear.
Movement Requirements
Squat
- The lifter shall face the front of the platform. The bar shall be held horizontally across the shoulders, hands and fingers gripping the bar. [Clarification: For the purpose of this rule, the thumbs are not considered fingers and a “thumb less” grip is allowed in the squat] The hands may be positioned anywhere on the bar inside and or in contact with the inner collars.
- After removing the bar from the racks, (the lifter may be aided in removal of the bar from the racks by the spotter / loaders) the lifter must move backwards to establish the starting position. When the lifter is motionless, erect (slight deviation is allowable) with knees locked the Chief Referee will give the signal to begin the lift. The signal shall consist of an audible command. Before receiving the signal to “squat” the lifter may make any position adjustments within the rules, without penalty. For reasons of safety the lifter will be requested to “Replace” the bar, together with a backward movement of the arm, if after a period of five seconds he is not in the correct position to begin the lift. The Chief Referee will then convey the reason why the signal was not given.
- Upon receiving the Chief Referee’s signal the lifter must bend the knees and lower the body until the top surface of the legs at the hip joint is lower than the top of the knees. The attempt is deemed to have commenced when the lifters knees have unlocked.
- The lifter must recover at will to an upright position with the knees locked. Double bouncing at the bottom of the squat attempt or any downward movement is not permitted. When the lifter is motionless (in the apparent final position) the Chief Referee will give the signal to rack the bar.
- The signal to rack the bar will consist of the audible command “Rack”. The lifter must then return the bar to the racks. Foot movement after the rack signal will not be cause for failure. For reasons of safety the lifter may request the aid of the spotter/loaders in returning the bar to, and replacing it in the racks. The lifter must stay with the bar during this process.
- Not more than 5 and not less than 2 spotter/loaders shall be on the platform at any time. The Referees may decide to the number of spotter/loaders required on the platform at any time 2, 3, 4, or 5.
Causes for Disqualification of a Squat
- Failure to observe the Chief Referee’s signals at the commencement or completion of a lift.
- Double bouncing at the bottom of the lift, or any downward movement during the ascent.
- Failure to assume an upright position with the knees locked at the commencement or completion of the lift.
- Stepping backward or forward or moving the feet laterally. Rocking the feet between the ball and heel is permitted.
- Failure to bend the knees and lower the body until the top surface of the legs at the hip joint is lower than the top of the knees, as in the diagram (see diagram on the following page).
- Contact with the bar or the lifter by the spotter/loaders between the Chief Referee’s signals in order to make the lift easier.
- Contact of the elbows or upper arms with the legs. Slight contact is permitted if there is no supporting that might aid the lifter.
- Any dropping or dumping of the bar after completion of the lift.
- Failure to comply with any items outlined under “Rules of Performance” for the squat.
Bench Press
- The bench shall be placed on the platform with the head facing the front or angled up to 45 degrees. The Chief referee shall position himself on the head side of the bench press rack.
- The lifter must lie on his back with head, shoulders and buttocks in contact with the bench surface. The feet must be flat on the floor (as flat as the shape of the shoe will allow). His hands and fingers must grip the bar positioned in the rack stands with a thumbs around grip. This position shall be maintained throughout the lift. Foot movement is permissible but must remain flat on the platform. The hair must not hide the back of the head when lying down on the bench. The Jury or Referees may require the lifter to affix his/her hair accordingly.
- To achieve firm footing the lifter may use flat surfaced plates, or blocks not exceeding 30cm in total height and a minimum dimension of 60cm x 40cm, to build up the surface of the platform. Blocks in the range of 5cm, 10cm, 20cm, and 30cm should be made available for foot placement at all international competitions.
- Not more than five and not less than two spotters/loaders shall be on the platform at any time. After correctly positioning himself, the lifter may enlist the help of the spotter/ loaders in removing the bar from the racks. The lift-off if assisted by the spotter/loaders must be at arms’ length. [Clarification: If receiving a hand-off in the bench press, it must be given by the platform staff member designated for hand-offs; lifters may not receive hand-offs from coaches, friends, other lifters, etc.]
- The spacing of the hands shall not exceed 81 cm measured between the forefingers (both forefingers must be within the 81 cm marks and the whole of the forefingers must be in contact with the 81 cm marks if maximum grip is used). The use of the reverse grip is forbidden.
- After removing the bar from the racks, with or without the help of the spotter / loaders, the lifter shall wait with straight arms elbows locked for the Chief Referee’s signal. The signal shall be given as soon as the lifter is motionless and the bar properly positioned. For reasons of safety the lifter will be requested to “Replace” the bar, together with a backward movement of the arm, if after a period of five seconds he is not in the correct position to begin the lift. The Chief Referee will then convey the reason why the signal was not given.
- The signal to begin the attempt shall consist of a downward movement of the arm together with the audible command “Start”.
- After receiving the signal, the lifter must lower the bar to the chest or abdominal area (the bar shall not touch the belt), hold it motionless on the chest, after which the Chief referee will signal the audible command “Press”. The audible command “Press” will be accompanied by a visible signal – an upward movement of the arm. The lifter must then return the bar to straight arms’ length elbows locked. When held motionless in this position the audible command “Rack” shall be given together with a backward motion of the arm. If the bar is lowered to the belt or does not touch the chest or abdominal area, the Chief Referee’s command is “Rack.” [Clarification: The bar may be pressed up unevenly and one arm may lock out before the other one provided there was no downward movement of the whole of the bar at any point after receiving the press command.
Causes for a Disqualification of a Bench Press
- Failure to observe the Chief Referee’s signals at the commencement, during or completion of the lift.
- Any change in the elected lifting position during the lift proper i.e. any raising movement of the head, shoulders, or buttocks, from the bench, or lateral movement of hands on the bar, or raising of the feet.
- Heaving, or sinking the bar into the chest or abdominal area after it is motionless in such a way as to make the lift easier.
- Any downward movement of the whole of the bar in the course of being pressed out.
- Bar is not lowered to chest or abdominal area i.e. not reaching the chest or abdominal area, or the bar is touching the belt.
- Failure to press the bar to straight arms’ length elbows locked at the completion of the lift.
- Contact with the bar or the lifter by the spotter/loaders between the Chief Referee’s signals, in order to make the lift easier.
- Any contact of the lifter’s feet with the bench or its supports. Lifting of the feet is not allowed. Foot movement is permissible but must remain flat on the platform.
- Deliberate contact between the bar and the bar rests support.
- Failure to comply with any of the items outlined under the Rules of Performance.
Deadlift
- The lifter shall face the front of the platform with the bar laid horizontally in front of the lifter’s feet, gripped with an optional grip in both hands and lifted until the lifter is standing erect.
- On completion of the lift the knees shall be locked in a straight position and the shoulders back.
- The Chief Referee’s signal shall consist of a downward movement of the arm and the audible command “Down”. The signal will not be given until the bar is held motionless and the lifter is in the apparent finished position.
- Any rising of the bar or any deliberate attempt to do so will count as an attempt. Once the attempt has begun no downward movement is allowed until the lifter reaches the erect position with the knees locked. If the bar settles as the shoulders come back (slightly downward on completion) this should not be reason to disqualify the lift. [Clarification: Prior to the lifter’s bona fide/deliberate effort to raise the bar to commence the deadlift attempt, the lifter may roll the bar on the platform and/or shake the bar. It will be the referees’ discretion to determine whether or not a bona fide/deliberate attempt to raise the bar occurs.]
Causes for Disqualification of a Deadlift
- Any downward movement of the bar before it reaches the final position.
- Failure to stand erect with the shoulders back.
- Failure to lock the knees straight at the completion of the lift.
- Supporting the bar on the thighs during the performance of the lift. If the bar edges up the thigh but is not supported this is not reason for disqualification. The lifter should benefit in all decisions of doubt made by the referee.
- Stepping backward or forward or moving the feet laterally. Rocking of the feet between ball and heel is permitted. Foot movement after the command “Down” will not be cause for failure.
- Lowering the bar before receiving the Chief Referee’s signal.
- Allowing the bar to return to the platform without maintaining control with both hands (i.e., releasing the bar from the palms of the hand).
- Failure to comply with any of the items outlined under “Rules of Performance”.
