Welcome to USA Weightlifting, the Strongest Team in America
As a Member of USA Weightlifting, you enjoy a huge list of benefits, along with joining one of the fastest-growing sports in America.
All USAW members are subject to drug testing pursuant to all applicable USAW bylaws, rules, and regulations as well as all United States Anti-Doping Agency guidelines. All members are expected to abide by the Member Code of Conduct.
Once you're logged in, you can do the following:
In order to log in, we must have your most current email address on file. Your email can be added or changed by contacting the National Office.
Criminal Record Screening Program/Background Check - Effective July 5, 2010, all USAW members with the following participation designations will be required to comply with a comprehensive criminal record screening program upon renewal of membership: Weightlifting Coaches holding a National, International or Sr. International certification. Any Level 1, or Level 2, coach who holds an active role with an approved USAW club or seeks to register to coach at a USAW National competition. All National, or higher, Officials, Referees as well as local Referees who plan to volunteer to conduct weigh-ins at any competition. Volunteers and Volunteer Medical providers with responsibilities at National competitions. Screening will be required every two years. For more information, click here.
Members have the option of paying dues either on a monthly or annual basis. Memberships purchased on a monthly basis are valid for one month from date of purchase, and will be renewed automatically each month by credit card payment, subject to the terms and conditions.
Memberships purchased on an annual basis are valid for 365 days from date of purchase. Membership fees are not refundable or transferrable.
Fees as of January 1, 2022: Sport age for athlete membership types is determined by year of birth. For example, if an athlete is 17 years old on the date of registration/renewal, but will turn 18 prior to the end of this calendar year, a Junior athlete membership is required.
Youth Athlete (up to 17 years of age)
This is a Youth Athlete only membership. If you are planning on taking a coaching course or holding a coaching certification, you will need to purchase a Coach and Youth Athlete Membership.
Junior Athlete (18-20 years of age)
This is a Junior Athlete only membership. If you are planning on taking a coaching course or holding a coaching certification, you will need to purchase a Coach or Coach and Junior Athlete Membership. In the case you decide you want to take a coaching course and hold a coaching certification in the future, you will be able to upgrade your membership to a Coach and Junior Athlete membership.
Senior Athlete (21-34 years of age)
This is a Senior Athlete only membership. If you are planning on taking a coaching course or holding a coaching certification, you will need to purchase a Coach or Coach and Senior Athlete Membership. In the case you decide you want to take a coaching course and hold a coaching certification in the future, you will be able to upgrade your membership to a Coach and Senior Athlete membership.
Master Athlete (35+ years of age)
This is a Master Athlete only membership. If you are planning on taking a coaching course or holding a coaching certification, you will need to purchase a Coach or Coach and Master Athlete Membership. In the case you decide you want to take a coaching course and hold a coaching certification in the future, you will be able to upgrade your membership to a Coach and Master Athlete membership.
The Following Membership Types will be able to sign up for coaching courses and hold a coaching certification. A member will need one of the following membership types to access course material in the USAW Learning Academy.
Coach
This Coach membership will allow you to take a coaching course and hold a coaching certification. You will also be able to compete in the Open divisions of weightlifting meets.
Coach and Youth Athlete
This membership type is for Youth Athletes who are planning on taking a coaching course and holding a coaching certification who also compete in Youth, Junior, and Open Divisions at weightlifting meets. You will need to be 16 on the date of the coaching course in order to take the course.
Coach and Junior Athlete
This membership type is for Junior Athletes who are planning on taking a coaching course and holding a coaching certification who also compete in Junior and Open Divisions at weightlifting meets.
Coach and Senior Athlete
This membership type is for Senior Athletes who are planning on taking a coaching course and holding a coaching certification who also compete in Open Divisions at Weightlifting meets.
Coach and Master Athlete
This membership type is for Master Athletes who are planning on taking a coaching course and holding a coaching certification who also compete in Masters Divisions at Weightlifting meets.
Coaching Certification Updates: Effective January 1, 2023, all coach members holding a coach certification (Level 1 or higher) must complete U.S Center for Safesport training.
Level 1– Membership price includes membership and Level 1 recertification; Members need to complete the Level 1 recertification exam in the USAW Learning Academy and SafeSport Training to bring their membership and coach certification current.
Level 2– Membership price includes membership and Level 2 recertification. Level 2 certification will not have an expiration date and will go into an action required state if the membership lapses. All Level 2 coaches must, in addition to the Center for Safesport Training, complete the annual USADA Coaches Advantage tutorial.
National– Membership price includes membership, National Coach certification and background screening - coach complementary (as named in BARS). National Coach certification will not have an expiration date and will go into an action required state if any of the following lapse: Membership, SafeSport Training, Background Screening, USADA Coaches Advantage Tutorial.
International– Membership price includes membership, International Coach certification and background screening - coach complementary (As named in BARS) International Coach certification will not have an expiration date and will go into an action required state if any of the following lapse: Membership, SafeSport Training, Background Screening, USADA Coaches Advantage Tutorial.
Senior International– Membership price includes membership, Senior International Coach certification and background screening – coach complementary (As named in BARS) Senior International Coach certification will not have an expiration date and will go into an action required state if any of the following lapse: Membership, SafeSport Training, Background Screening, USADA Coaches Advantage Tutorial.
Upgrade/Downgrade Ability:
Members will be able to upgrade and downgrade membership types as determined by their age. If a member upgrades to a coach membership type, they will be in an action required state until they have fulfilled the coach certification requirements. Members will pay the difference of membership types during the upgrade. If someone downgrades during an annual membership, no refund will be given. In the case the member downgrades during a monthly membership, the next charge on the monthly will only be the cost of the athlete membership. After the downgrade, the member will immediately lose access to the course material on the USAW Learning Academy.
| Club Membership | $215 |
| Club Membership - Monthly | $24.99 per month |
| Coaching Course-Level 1 | $549 |
| Coaching Course-Level 2 | $549 |
| Entry Fee- National Events | $175 ($145 early, $375 late) |
| Coach Entry Fee | $25 ($0 early, $50 late) |
| Team Entry- All National Events, except Youth Nationals | $110 |
| Team Entry- Youth Nationals | $45 |
| Event Sanction | $99 |
All members, employees, contractors, board members, and officers, pledge to abide by the following Code of Conduct:
Disciplinary action for violation of any provision in this Code of Conduct may include any or all of the following: (i) a reprimand; (ii) suspension from competition participation (iii) withholding of Direct Athlete Support payments; (iv) imposition of fines (including with respect to reimbursement of expenses incurred by USAW); (v) removal from team; (vi) termination of memberships with USA Weightlifting (vii) any combination of the foregoing, in addition to review against the USA Weightlifting Code of Ethics.
The USA Weightlifting Ethics Committee shall be responsible for investigating and recommending for action any violation of the Code of Conduct, and will ensure investigations are conducted by disinterested parties.
If a USA Weightlifting member receives a disciplinary penalty or otherwise has a grievance related to this Code of Conduct, the member has the right to file a written request with the Board of Directors and CEO of USA Weightlifting within thirty (30) day of the action giving rise to the members claimed grievance, to seek a review of the action in question pursuant to USA Weightlifting Bylaws and Grievance Procedures in front of independent members of the Judicial Committee. The Athlete has a right to a hearing per Article 9 of the USOPC Bylaws prior to USA Weightlifting denying the right to compete of any Athlete.
USA Weightlifting strictly prohibits retaliation against any complainant by the organization or any member of the organization.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall conflict with or curtail the members’ rights with respect to disputes involving the members’ right to participate in protected events as set forth in the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act (section 220510 of the United States Code.)
In the event any member of USA Weightlifting has a complaint/grievance that falls under the control of USA Weightlifting, NO individual may contact any sponsor (i.e. employees, partners, suppliers, concerned individuals, et. Al.) for any reason related to the compliant’/grievance until such time that all hearing (including appeals ) related to the compliant/grievance have been fully completed.
This code of conduct is not designed to be conclusive or extensive and should be read in conjunction with USA Weightlifting’s Code of Ethics.
Questions on this code of conduct may be address to the USA Weightlifting Ethics Committee ethicsjudicial@usaweightlifting.org.
Reporting a violation against this code can be made via the USA Weightlifting Ethics portal located at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Weightlifting/Resources/Formal-Complaint-Procedure
Resources external to USA Weightlifting include:
The Office of the Athlete Ombuds, https://www.teamusa.org/athlete-ombuds
ombudsman@usathlete.org
Every Member of USA Weightlifting has the right to...
Weightlifting is for anyone, anywhere – regardless of ability, age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion or any other characteristic. Every member has the opportunity to compete
Each member has the right to be treated with respect and dignity at all times, by USA Weightlifting as an organization, by USA Weightlifting staff or governance members, and by fellow members.
Membership groups within USA Weightlifting, for example athletes, have the right to a say on matters that affect their membership, their area, and their journey in our sport. This is generally executed by elected representative committees, but feedback is welcomed, solicited and respected at all times from the general membership body.
Members have the right to expect a response from USA Weightlifting to their issue within a maximum of 2 working days. They have a right to expect that response to be full, frank and honest.
Members have a right to be treated fairly, equally and reasonably in all their dealings with USA Weightlifting. For example, but not limited to, the use of objective data where such data exists.
USA Weightlifting views the health and wellness, both mental and physical, of its’ athletes as a top priority. Members have the right to the respect of their mental health, and to be supported by the organization as much as reasonably possible
Members have the right to receive properly qualified and certified instruction, underpinned by the USA Weightlifting Coaching Education program. Such instruction should respect the safety and wellness of the athlete or coach receiving such instruction.
Members have the right to expect integrity and transparency from USA Weightlifting as an organization and its’ leadership on all matters including but not limited to selection, financial, governance decisions and other matters. Members have the right to question USA Weightlifting leadership, and the right to an honest and full answer.
In consideration of my participation in any USA Weightlifting program, I acknowledge that I understand the nature of the activity and that I, and/or my minor child, am qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such activity. I fully understand that weightlifting involves risk of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death, and that these and other risks may be caused by my own actions, or inaction, those of other participating in the event, the conditions in which the event takes place, or the negligence of the Releases named below, and that there may be other risks either not known to me or not foreseen at this time and I fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs and damages I incur as a result of my participation in the activity. I hereby release, discharge and covenant not to sue USA Weightlifting, their respective administrators, directors, agents, officers, volunteers and employees and any sponsors and advertisers of any USAW sanctioned event in which I participate (each considered one of the Releases herein) from all liability, claims, demands, losses or damages on my account caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the Releases. This release, waiver of liability and express assumption of risk agreement does not apply to any liability, claims, demands, losses or damages arising out of the gross negligence of or intentional, willful or wanton misconduct of Releases. If I or anyone on my and/or my minor child's behalf makes a claim against any of the Releases, I will indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless each of the Releases from any loss, liability, damage or cost which may incur as a result of such claim. I acknowledge that I have read this release, waiver of liability and express assumption of risk agreement and fully understand it.
I, a prospective or current member of USA Weightlifting, agree to abide by and be bound by the applicable USA Weightlifting Bylaws, Operating Regulations, Code of Conduct and Competition Rules and the safe sport rules, policies and procedures promulgated by the U.S. Center for Safe Sport as they may be amended from time to time. I agree to be subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for Safe Sport and agree that any sanctions imposed by the Center extend to my participation in all USA Weightlifting events or activities and may be posted publicly and include information regarding the misconduct involved.
I understand and agree that the IWF Anti-Doping Policy, USOC Anti-Doping agency protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Testing (USADA Protocol) and all other policies and rules adopted by the IWF, USADA, and USOPC apply to me and that it is my responsibility to comply with those roles. I agree to submit to drug testing and understand that the use of methods or substances prohibited by the applicable anti-doping rules would make me subject to penalties including, but not limited to, disqualification and suspension. If it is determined that I may have committed a doping violation, I agree to submit to the results management authority and processes of USADA, including arbitration under the USADA Protocol, or to the results management authority of the IWF and/or my national federation, if referred by USADA.
Sign Here
USA Weightlifting (USAW) is the National Governing Body (NGB) for Olympic weightlifting in the United States. USAW is a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and a member of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
As the NGB, USAW is responsible for conducting Olympic weightlifting programs throughout the country. Top competitors are selected by USAW to compete in all major international events, such as the Olympic Games, World Championships, World Junior Championships and Pan American Games.
The mission of USA Weightlifting is to support United States athletes in achieving excellence in Olympic and world competition, and to support, promote and educate a diverse and inclusive community of weightlifting and the use of the barbell in the United States.
Currently there are about 27,000 active USAW members. These members include athletes, coaches, referees and volunteers.
Please reach out to your local club to inquire about their requirements for joining; this is something established by each club rather than by USAW directly. If you would like to compete as an athlete in a USAW sanctioned competition, you do need to be a USAW member. For more information on membership types and options, please visit here. To join today, please visit here.
Yes, to compete or participate in any event sanctioned by USAW or hold a valid coach or referee certification, you must be a current USAW member.
Click here to see courses and competitions in your area.
We are grateful to receive donations to support our mission and our athletes. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible. For more information and to donate, please click here.
Athlete Sport Accident Insurance Claim form and filing instructionsGeneral Liability/Club Insurance ProgramGeneral Liability/Club Insurance Program Overview Coaches General Liability Insurance Overview and FAQ'sCoverage dates ...
Click HERE to learn how to access the LWC Referee Exam through your BARS membership profile.You must be a CURRENT MEMBER to be a referee, with U.S. Center for SafeSport training in good standing. Meet directors are required to verify the membershi...
