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Membership FAQ's

What Is USA Weightlifting?
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.

What is the mission of USA Weightlifting?
The mission of USA Weightlifting is to enable United States athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence in Olympic competition and to promote and grow the sport of weightlifting in the United States.

What is the size of the USAW membership?
Currently there are about 27,000 active USAW members. These members include athletes, coaches, referees and volunteers. 

What are the membership categories?

 

USAW currently has 3 different membership categories:

  • Athlete, including Masters
  • General
  • Coach


What is the Friends of Weightlifting membership?

 

The Friends of Weightlifting membership entitles you to discounted tickets at USAW events and provides you with all the same great merchandise discounts as a full member.

This membership does not include USAW general liability Insurance, does not allow you to compete in USAW sanctioned competitions, and does not allow you to hold a USAW coaching certification.

What are the benefits of being a member of USAW?

  • Exclusive discounts on USAW merchandise
  • Free Secondary Sport Accident and General Liability Insurance
  • Free SafeSport and USADA training
  • Training opportunities with coaches and club teams
  • Ability to compete in USAW sanctioned events
All membership benefits can be found here.

 

How many weightlifting clubs are there in the USA, and how do I find one in my area?

There are over 1200 USA Weightlifting Clubs in the United States. To find one in your area go to: Find A Club.

How do I join USA Weightlifting?
Click here to become a member online. For more information on membership types and options, please visit here.
How do I renew my membership?
Log in to your membership account and click 'Renew Membership' on your membership profile page. If you are a certified coach, please follow these directions to renew and re-certify. 

How do I upgrade my USAW membership?
For more information on membership types and options, please visit here.
To upgrade your membership, please log into your membership profile here or go to https://usaweightlifting.sport80.com
Look at the left hand main menu and expand “Member Area”
Choose “Upgrade Membership”
The system will then walk you through the upgrade process. 
 
Do I have to be a member of USAW to join a local weightlifting cub?
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. 
Do I have to be a member of USAW to compete in USAW events?
Yes, in order to compete in any event sanctioned by USAW, you must be a current USAW member. For more information on membership types and options, please visit here. To join today, please visit here.

How do I find out about USAW events in my area?
Click here to see courses and competitions in your area.  

Where is the USA Weightlifting National Office?
The USAW National Office is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
USA Weightlifting Inc.
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Phone: 719-866-4508
Fax: 719-866-4741
Email: usaw@usaweightlifting.org

How can I donate to USAW, and is my contribution tax deductible?

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.