1500 Pound Club

1500 Pound Club

The 1500 Club represents an elite level of strength, recognizing individuals with a combined one-rep max total of 1500 pounds or more in the squat, bench press, and deadlift. For metric users, this is 680 kilograms. It’s the next step beyond the 1250 Pound Club and marks an incredible achievement.

1500 Pound Club Rules

To join the club and make it on the leaderboard, you have to hit 1500 pounds or more with clean form on the big 3. See the FAQ and lift standards section listed below for more information.

FAQ

What do applicants get?

1000 Pound Club

All applicants get:
• A form check with feedback.
• Added to the leaderboard (if accepted).

Applicants selected for a solo video will additionally receive:
• Custom acceptance letter with their name and lift numbers (no cost).
• Official member decal (no cost).

We also have a Pro Application that provides more benefits including faster processing times, acceptance letter & decal, and more.

How do I get a dedicated social media post to just me?

Due to high volumes of applications, it is not feasible to give everyone their own solo video. Select applicants will be chosen on merit. However, these items will increase your chances:

• Must follow us on social media.
• Have a high quality, HD video with no watermark.
• Ideally a 9:16 vertical video with minimal to no text.
• Form should be solid.
• Have an interesting or unique submission.

Do all my lifts need to be done on the same day, how old can my lifts be, & can I resubmit new PRs?
  • All lifts do not need to be done on the same day, but they should be done within one month of each other.
  • For the 2024 cycle, lifts must be from 2024.

  • The 2024 leaderboard will be extended into the first two months of 2025 to allow extra time for end-of-year submissions. Only lifts recorded in November–December 2024 are eligible during this transition period, which ends on March 1, 2025. This ensures those who hit PRs late in the year have extra time to apply. After this deadline, the 2024 leaderboard will officially close.

  • The 2025 leaderboard opens on January 1, 2025, and only lifts recorded in 2025 will be eligible.

  • If you are an already accepted member who hits a new PR on a lift within one month of your original submission date, we will update your leaderboard numbers. Anything past one month requires a new submission of all three lifts.
Do I need to weigh my weights on camera and list them?

Our rules are meant to be simple, so no need to record yourself weighing the barbell and each plate on a scale before your lifts. Just make sure the camera can see the total barbell load.

How strict are you on judging?

We are not a powerlifting federation, so rules are not as strict as you’d find in something like an IPF competition. However, we still have standards. A 500lb half squat isn’t going to cut it. Exact details can be found below under the lift standards. In the end, final ruling is at the discretion of our judges.

Can I use competition videos?

Yes, but we treat these videos like any other submission; video must clearly show you hitting standards. If the video is a bad angle or people are obstructing the view, getting white lights in the competition does not guarantee your lift is validated here. Most common issue we see are bench videos taken from behind where we cannot see lower body contact with the bench or squat videos head on, making it difficulty to determine depth.

What happens if one of my lifts is not accepted?

You have one month from the time of notification to resubmit. Redo whichever lift(s) need a revision and then resubmit using the resubmission form. If you fall outside of the one month window, a new submission of all three lifts is required.

Will you make any exceptions to these rules or other items listed below?

If you have any questions or are requesting an exemption, send us a message on our contact page. For example, if you are an adaptive athlete and need accommodations, we will make it work.

Lift Standards

Please read the following section on required lift form, allowed equipment, and required video angles. Failure to meet these requirements may result in a disqualification.

Squat Standards

Form

squat

  • Back squat, front squat, or zercher squats are permitted.

  • If a spotter is utilized, the spotter will not assist with upward motion.

  • Squat depth must be achieved to thigh parallel or greater.

  • To get a visual of this, check out our blog on squat depth.

Equipment

equipment squat

  • Barbells including specialty bars such as safety squat, buffalo, cambered, etc. are permitted.

  • Knee sleeves, belt, and lifting shoes are permitted.

  • No knee wraps, squat suits, or external wedges under heels.

  • No machine squats.

Video

How to video squat

  • Videos taken from the SIDE of the lifter are acceptable.

  • Videos taken slightly angled from behind or in front are acceptable.

  • Videos taken from the front or back are difficult to judge and will likely need to be resubmitted.

Bench Press Standards

Form

Bench press form

  • Flat or incline bench press is permitted.

  • Bar must be lowered to the chest and pressed upwards until elbows are locked out.

  • Butt must always remain in contact with the bench, no periods where contact is completely lost is allowed.

  • If a spotter is utilized, the spotter will not assist with upward motion.

  • No excessive rebounding of the bar off of the chest.

  • No excessive arching that results in either a significant portion of the glutes not being in contact with the bench OR the elbow joint remaining above the shoulder joint at the bottom of the lift.

Equipment

  • Wrist supports, elbow sleeves, and belt are permitted.

  • No elbow wraps, bench suits, Sling Shot, or other assistive gear.

  • No multi-grip bars, dumbbells, machine lifts.

Video

How to video bench press

  • Videos taken from the SIDE of the lifter are acceptable.

  • Videos taken from the FRONT of the lifter are acceptable.

  • Videos taken from behind the lifter are discouraged and will likely need resubmission.

Deadlift Standards

Form

Deadlift

  • Conventional and sumo deadlifts are permitted.

  • Must lockout knees and hips with shoulders in alignment.

  • No excessive hitching or ramping.

  • No dropping the bar at the top of the lift; hands must remain in contact with the bar until knee height or lower.

Equipment

  • Chalk, belt, and knee sleeves are permitted.

  • No straps / grip devices, gloves, knee wraps, or deadlift suits.

  • No hex/trap bar.

  • No elevating the barbell with blocks or other items.

Video

How to video deadlift

  • Videos taken from the FRONT of the lifter are acceptable.

  • Videos taken from the SIDE of the lifter are acceptable.

  • Videos taken from behind the lifter will likely be disqualified.

Apply for the 1500 Pound Club

Visit the 1000 Pound Club application page below to apply and submit your lifts.

APPLY HERE