Powerlifting is a strength sport consisting of three competition lifts, the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift.  The squat is the first lift in the competition, followed by the bench press, and then the deadlift.  The lifter is given three attempts to achieve a maximum weight lifted in each of the three lifts.  The lifter is judged by total amount of combined weight lifted in each of the three lifts. Athletes compete in ten different weight classes ranging from 114lbs. all the way to 275lbs.+.