New Raw Powerlifting Classification Standards

I'm reprinting a post I made on bodybuilding.com regarding the Raw Classification Standards. The general sentiment is the new elite classifications, specifically the elite totals, are too low. My response:

"Everyone complains the new elite totals are too low, but they fail to offer an alternative method for specifically defining elite. Using yourself as anecdotal evidence is a poor argument against the standard.

In this case, the elite classification represents the top 1% of natural, raw, competitive lifters in the United States. That comes out to about 10 lifters per class. So what is the alternative? Maybe 0.1%? Now that sound elite.  But then we'd only have 1 elite guy for each class walking around. And we already have a classification for that. Its called "national champion."

Using the top 1% is an objective standard and I think its pretty good considering powerlifting is a fringe sport.  The top 1% will always be the top 1%. Over time, assuming the sport becomes more popular, competition will increase and a new 1% standard will supplant the old.  So, if you feel the numbers are too low, blame the gross amount of lifters, not the methodology. There aren't enough competitive powerlifters. Further, there certainly aren't enough raw, drug free competitors. To the people bitching:

Have you competed in a totally raw event?
Are you natural?

If you answer no to both of those, then you aren't helping the problem. Compete raw and drug free, obtain the 1%, and be a part of the solution to make the standard mean something. The standards won't change, and should not change until stronger people compete raw. If there were a million competitive, raw/drug free lifters in the United States then the 1% standard would be inappropriate. But we don't have that problem. "

Standards as of of January 1, 2012.

Source:  http://www.rawpowerlifting.com/classifications.htm

Men’s Squat

Wt. Class		114	123	132	148	165	181	198	220	242	275	275+
ELITE		292	320	348	389	452	495	535	565	590	620	662
MASTER		269	294	320	358	416	455	492	520	543	570	609
CLASS I		239	262	285	319	371	406	439	463	484	508	543
CLASS II		210	230	251	280	325	356	385	407	425	446	477
CLASS III		184	202	219	245	285	312	337	356	372	391	417
CLASS IV		161	176	191	214	249	272	294	311	325	341	364

Men’s Bench Press

Wt. Class		114	123	132	148	165	181	198	220	242	275	275+
ELITE		235	258	275	314	358	387	415	440	462	483	500
MASTER		214	235	253	289	329	356	382	405	425	444	462
CLASS I		193	212	226	257	294	317	340	361	379	396	412
CLASS II		169	186	198	226	258	279	299	317	333	348	363
CLASS III		148	163	173	198	226	244	261	277	291	304	315
CLASS IV		129	142	151	173	197	213	228	242	254	266	275

Men’s Deadlift

Wt. Class		114	123	132	148	165	181	198	220	242	275	275+
ELITE		346	374	402	468	537	597	625	642	660	689	700
MASTER		318	344	370	431	494	549	575	591	607	634	644
CLASS I		284	307	330	384	440	490	513	526	541	565	574
CLASS II		249	269	289	337	387	430	450	462	475	496	504
CLASS III		218	236	253	295	338	376	394	404	416	434	441
CLASS IV		190	206	221	257	295	328	344	353	363	379	385

  

Men’s Strict Curl

Wt. Class		114	123	132	148	165	181	198	220	242	275	275+
ELITE		85	100	115	130	142	151	160	168	175	175	175
MASTER		77	91	105	118	130	138	148	156	163	163	163
CLASS I		70	82	94	107	117	124	132	139	144	144	144
CLASS II		61	72	83	94	103	109	116	122	127	127	127
CLASS III		54	63	72	82	90	95	102	107	111	111	111
CLASS IV		46	54	62	70	78	83	88	92	97	97	97

Men’s Powerlifting Total

Wt. Class		114	123	132	148	165	181	198	220	242	275	275+
ELITE		805	881	947	1124	1261	1396	1495	1587	1630	1710	1740
MASTER		741	811	871	1034	1160	1279	1375	1460	1500	1573	1601
CLASS I		660	722	777	922	1034	1148	1226	1301	1337	1402	1427
CLASS II		580	634	682	809	908	1012	1076	1143	1174	1231	1253
CLASS III		507	555	597	708	794	879	942	1000	1027	1077	1096
CLASS IV		443	485	521	618	694	768	822	873	897	941	957