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● EVERY LIFT VERIFIED
The GymLeague Deadlift Competition
The king of raw strength. Pull the bar from the floor to a full, controlledlockout, submit your video, and earn a verified place on the deadliftleaderboard — from your own gym.
Conventional & sumo
One lockout standard
Any level
No qualifying total
Year-round
No meet day needed
Every pull reviewed
Video verification
- THE COMPETITION
What Is the GymLeagueDeadlift Competition?
The GymLeague deadlift competition is an ongoing online challenge where every pull is judged against the same official standards before it earns a ranking. The deadlift is the simplest lift to describe and the easiest to fudge on video — soft lockouts and early drops are everywhere. Here, a deadlift only counts once it’s been reviewed.
Who can participate. Anyone, at any level. There are no qualifying totals. Conventional and sumo stances are both welcome, judged under the same lockout standard.
How the competition works. Record your heaviest clean pull in one continuous video, upload it with your competition details, and the GymLeague team reviews it against the rulebook. Approved pulls hit the leaderboard; rejected pulls come back with the reason.
Why verified lifts matter. A deadlift PR is the number lifters brag about most — which is exactly why it should be the number with the most proof behind it. Verification makes every kilogram on the board mean the same thing.
The setup decides the pull: bar over mid-foot, slack taken out, brace set before
the plates leave the floor.
- JUDGING STANDARDS
Official Deadlift Competition Standards
The bar must start motionless on the floor with the plates clearly visible in frame.
Starting Position
The bar starts motionless on the floor, loaded with visible plates. The lift begins the moment the bar breaks from the ground — no rolling starts that turn into a hitch.
Grip & Setup
Double overhand, mixed grip, and hook grip are all allowed. Lifting straps are not — grip is part of the test. Conventional and sumo stances are both legal.
Pull to Full Lockout
The bar travels from the floor to a full standing position in one continuous motion: hips and knees fully extended, shoulders back, bar under control at the top.
Controlled Finish
Hold the lockout visibly before returning the bar to the floor under control. Dropping the bar the instant your hips extend makes the lockout impossible to judge.
VALID LIFT
- Bar starts from a dead stop on the floor
- One continuous upward pull — no hitching or ramping
- Hips and knees fully extended, shoulders upright at lockout
- Entire lift and loaded bar visible in one continuous video
INVALID LIFT
- Incomplete lockout — soft knees or hips at the top
- Hitching the bar up the thighs in jerky increments
- Dropping the bar before the lockout is established
- Straps, edited footage, or an angle that hides the lockout
“Without one standard for where a deadlift ends, a 300 kg pull to mid-thigh and a 300 kg completed deadlift would score the same.”
WHY THE LOCKOUT STANDARD EXISTS
- LOCKOUT GUIDE
What a Legal Lockout Looks Like
Hip and knee extension. At the top of the pull, your hips and knees are completely straight — not almost straight. Soft knees are the single most common reason a deadlift gets rejected.
Shoulder position. Your torso finishes upright with shoulders back, in line with your hips. You don’t need an exaggerated lean-back; you do need to be clearly standing tall.
Why lockout matters. The lockout is the finish line of the lift. The standard is what keeps the leaderboard honest: every ranked pull ended in the same place.
A finished pull: hips and knees fully extended, shoulders back, bar under control. This is where the lift ends — anything less is a no-lift.
- AVOID REJECTIONS
Common Reasons a Deadlift Is Rejected
Almost every rejection comes down to one of these six. Check your own video against them before you submit.
Incomplete Lockout
Soft knees or hips at the top. The number- one rejection reason. Stand fully tall and hold it.
Bar Doesn't Reach the Final Position
The pull stalls at the thighs or the lifter never reaches an upright standing position.
Hips or Knees Not Fully Extended
Leaning back to fake a lockout while the knees stay bent doesn't pass review — extension must be complete.
Dropping the Bar Too Early
Releasing the bar the moment you reach the top makes the lockout unjudgeable. Hold it visibly first.
Loss of Control
Hitching the bar up the thighs, ramping it in small jerks, or losing your grip mid-lift invalidates the attempt.
Poor Video Angle
If the judges can't see your hips, knees, and the plates, they can't approve the pull. Film from a front-side angle with your full body in frame.
- HOW TO JOIN
How to Join the Deadlift Challenge
Four steps from your last working set to a ranked, verified deadlift.
STEP 01
Record Your Lift
Film your pull in one continuous, uneditedvideo — full body, plates, and lockoutclearly visible.
STEP 02
Upload Your Video
Submit your attempt through GymLeaguewith the weight lifted and the requiredcompetition details.
STEP 03
Lift Verification
Your deadlift is reviewed against theofficial rulebook — lockout, control,continuity, and video quality.
STEP 04
Earn Your Position
Approved deadlifts appear on theleaderboard and count toward yourcompetition total.
- PREPARATION
Tips for a Successful Competition Deadlift
Setup Tips
- Start with the bar over mid-foot and take the slack out before pulling
- Use chalk for grip — straps aren't allowed in competition
- Set your brace before the bar leaves the floor, not during the pull
Pulling Technique
- Push the floor away rather than yanking the bar off it
- Keep the bar close — dragging up the legs is the shortest path
- If the bar stops moving upward, don't hitch; put it down and try again fresh
Lockout Tips
- Finish by squeezing the glutes through, not leaning back
- Hold the top position for a visible moment before lowering
- Lower the bar under control — no dropping from lockout
Recording & Preparation
- Front-side angle, full body and plates in frame, one continuous take
- Read the rulebook before your first submission
- Rewatch your video and judge the lockout yourself before uploading
- WHY COMPETE
Why Join the GymLeague Deadlift Competition?
Verified Results
Every ranked pull has been reviewed. Your deadlift number carries proof, not just plates.
Fair Judging Standards
Conventional or sumo, beginner or veteran — one rulebook and one lockout standard for everyone.
Public Leaderboards
See exactly where your pull stands against lifters from other gyms and countries.
Track Your Progress
Every approved deadlift builds a verified strength history you can look back on.
Compete Throughout the Year
No meet day needed. When you're ready to pull heavier, the platform is ready to judge it.
One Standard Worldwide
The same rulebook applies in every gym and every country, so the board compares like with like.
- RELATED LIFTS
Complete the Big Three
Your deadlift is one third of your total. Learn the standards for the other two competition lifts.
Squat Competition
Proper depth, full lockout, complete control. See the official squat standards.
Bench Press Competition
Controlled press from chest to full lockout. See the official bench pressstandards.
- FAQ
Bench Press Competition FAQs
Is sumo deadlift allowed?
Yes. Both conventional and sumo stances are legal and compete on the same leaderboard, judged under the same lockout standard: hips and knees fully extended, shoulders upright.
Can I use lifting straps?
No. Grip strength is part of the test, and straps are banned in competition — the same rule used by every major powerlifting federation. Chalk, a belt, and mixed or hook grip are all allowed.
What counts as a hitch?
A hitch is when the bar moves up your thighs in small, jerky increments — resting on the legs and re-lifting. The pull must be one continuous upward motion. If the bar keeps moving up, even slowly, it’s a legal grind.
Do I have to lower the bar under control?
Yes. Establish and hold your lockout visibly first, then return the bar to the floor under control. Dropping the bar from the top makes the attempt impossible to approve.
Can I deadlift from blocks or a rack?
No. Competition deadlifts start from a dead stop on the floor with standard-height plates. Block pulls and rack pulls are great training tools, but they don’t qualify for the leaderboard.
What camera angle should I use for my deadlift video?
A front-side angle where your hips, knees, and the plates are all clearly visible, with your full body in frame for the entire lift. Angles that hide the lockout are a common rejection reason.
What happens if my deadlift is rejected?
You’ll see the reason — for example, an incomplete lockout or an early drop. Fix the issue and submit again. Rejections don’t count against you; only approved lifts matter.
How many deadlift attempts can I submit?
As many as you like throughout the competition period. Each attempt is reviewed on its own, and a heavier approved pull replaces your previous verified best.
Pull. Prove It. Rank.
The deadlift doesn’t lie — and neither does a verified leaderboard. Record your
best pull, submit it for review, and take your place in the rankings.