What equipment checks must be completed before a lift?

• A. The bar, plates, rack/bench, collars, and lifter’s belt, wraps, shoes, and apparel must comply with rules and be in safe working order
• B. Only the bar and plates must be checked
• C. Equipment checks are optional
• D. Only the lifter's belt and shoes

Answer: (A)

Before a lift, every piece of gear the lifter will use must be checked for safety and compliance. This means the bar, plates, rack or bench, collars, and the lifter’s equipment (belt, wraps, shoes, and applicable apparel) all must meet federation rules and be in safe working order. The bar and plates should be undamaged and secure, collars must hold the weights firmly, the rack or bench must be stable and free from defects, and personal equipment must be worn and used in accordance with the rules and in a way that won’t cause harm during the attempt. Doing checks on all of these items helps prevent equipment failure and injuries and ensures a fair competition environment. Checking only part of the setup or delaying checks could miss a safety issue, which is why a full, comprehensive check is required every time.