AFAA Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

What is the primary focus of a powerlifting competition?

1. Performing a variety of lifts

2. Achieving maximum repetition

3. Maximizing strength in specific lifts

4. Improving endurance

The correct answer is: Maximizing strength in specific lifts

The primary focus of a powerlifting competition is to maximize strength in specific lifts. In powerlifting, athletes compete in three core lifts: the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Each competitor aims to lift the maximum weight possible for one repetition in each of these exercises. The performance is assessed based on the heaviest single lift achieved in each category, and the lifter's total score is determined by summing their best successful lifts from each of the three disciplines. This focus on maximizing strength differentiates powerlifting from other strength sports or fitness modalities that might emphasize overall fitness or endurance. While performing a variety of lifts and achieving maximum repetition are components of different training regimes, they do not align with the singular aim of powerlifting competitions, which is strictly about raw strength in specific, standardized lifts. Improving endurance, meanwhile, is a completely different objective often associated with different types of training and athletic competitions, such as endurance sports.