The complete competitor guide • 2026-2027
Everything You Need to Know to Compete with United Strongman Federation
Competing In USF
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Anyone age 13+ may compete in the Open division.
Anyone under the age of 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian, and the parent or guardian must sign any applicable waivers for individual competitions.
Athletes must be at least 13 years old to compete.
The Teen division is open to athletes age 13–19 on the day of competition.
Teens may also opt to compete in Open if they prefer.
The Masters division is open to athletes age 40+ on the day of competition.
There are separate divisions for 40+ and 50+ athletes; however, not all divisions may be offered at all competitions, especially at the local level.
Masters athletes may opt to compete in Open if they prefer.
A current, valid membership is required to compete in a USF competition. Memberships are fully digital and can only be purchased on the USF website.
It is recommended to purchase a membership at least 2 days prior to competition to allow time for processing, or in case you need help. The system is managed by humans who are happy to help you, but are not always available to troubleshoot tech issues the morning of competition.
USF does not recognize memberships from other sports, federations, or organizations.
Coming soon: We’re working on discounts with sponsors, partner organizations, and more — stay tuned!
Choose the class and division that match your bodyweight, experience, age, and goals.
Kilograms
Kilograms
Divisions are listed below with recommended participants and competition weights relative to the Open division.
Athletes age 13–19 on the day of competition
Athletes newer to the sport or who are not ready to compete in Open or Masters
Athletes age 40+ or 50+ who would rather compete with other Masters than in Open
Athletes ready to progress from Scaled, compete heavier, and potentially reach Elite
Invite-only athletes with high performance in Open and/or high-level competitions
Weigh-ins will be conducted exclusively in kilograms.
01
To qualify for a weight class, athletes must weigh exactly at the class limit or below, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a kilo. For example: for Men’s 105kg, the athlete must weigh 105.00kg or less.
(If the provided scale does not display hundredths, the athlete must weigh in to the nearest tenth. In this case, for Men’s 105kg, the athlete must weigh 105.0kg or less.)
02
When classes are combined, athletes must weigh under the heavier class. For example: if 105kg and 90kg are combined, all athletes must weigh 105.00kg or less.
The promoter must notify all affected athletes within a reasonable timeframe.
03
Weigh-ins may be conducted up to 24 hours in advance. Exact times are at the promoter’s discretion, and same-day weigh-ins may be allowed. See individual competition details.
04
Athletes must wear standard undergarments at minimum: underwear for men, bra and underwear for women. No nude weigh-ins.
No clothing “allowance” is provided; recorded weight includes undergarments.
The process of qualifying for higher-level events like Nationals and Elite shows will evolve as the federation grows from year to year. USF is also working with other strongman organizations to secure bids for USF competitors to other high-level shows.
Open to All
The only event requiring qualification in Year 1 will be the USF National Championship.
Qualification can be earned at a Local competition or by placing high enough in an online qualifier. Details for the online qualifier will be released as finalized. The goal is a potential pathway for as many athletes as possible while maintaining high competition quality.
There will be limited Elite competitions in Year 1. These will be invite only. USF is exploring an application process to avoid overlooking talented athletes flying under the radar. Updates will be posted here as they develop and may vary by competition.
Raising the Bar
The goal in year 2 is for all Nationals qualifying bids to come exclusively from USF-licensed Local competitions. There is no planned online qualifier for Nationals in Year 2.
USF will continue to grow the Elite circuit, awarding qualifications from the inaugural Nationals and other high-level shows. USF will keep building online qualification and/or application processes for Elite competitions and relationships with other organizations for a wide range of high-level opportunities.
A Comprehensive Pipeline
Year 3 will see a robust schedule of Local and Elite competitions with plenty of opportunities for athletes to qualify and level up. We’re stoked for this growth and to shine a spotlight on the athletes growing with us!
The most complete resource for USF-licensed shows is the Upcoming Events tab. USF encourages promoters to use Strength Tech, but in Year 1 promoters may use other systems for registration and scoring, so USF shows may be found there as well.
View EventsDivision selection: a detailed guide
The answer: it depends.
This is one of the most common athlete questions, especially from people newer to the sport. Ultimately, the decision is up to the athlete, and the best person to ask is a coach or training partner who sees the athlete lift every day.
The following is general advice about how USF divisions are designed and who they serve.
Athletes age 13–19 on competition day.
Teen gives younger athletes a welcoming introduction to the sport and the chance to compete against others their age.
Selected at promoter discretion and may vary greatly by competition, age, or class.
Teen athletes may opt for Scaled or Open. Older teens who want to push their limits and compete with older athletes may join either instead.
Athletes who are not comfortable competing in Open or Masters, but still want a challenge and the competition experience.
They may be newer, compete casually, or sit between competition weights. USF encourages athletes to push themselves and trusts them to self-select appropriately.
Roughly 75–85% of Open.
This overlaps with Masters, so athletes age 40+ should compare both.
It is okay to be a lifelong Scaled competitor. If this is where an athlete feels best, go for it. Consistent Scaled winners may consider Open or Masters, but USF will not rush them.
Building Trust is a core value: athletes and coaches are trusted to make the right call, and USF is available by email to help.
Scaled athletes cannot qualify for Open Nationals. If Open Nationals is the goal, Scaled may not be the right division.
Athletes age 40+ or 50+ on competition day.
The goal is to offer the same number of weight classes as Open in the Masters division, depending on each competition and expanding over time.
Masters lets athletes compete with their age group, but 40+ athletes are also welcome in Open.
Roughly 80–90% of Open.
This overlaps with Scaled, so compare both.
Masters classes offer qualifying opportunities for Masters Nationals.
Masters may or may not qualify an athlete for Open Nationals depending on the competition. If Open Nationals is the goal, Masters may not be the right fit.
Not every competition offers every Masters weight class; Scaled or Open may make more sense. Check weights and event details, ask a coach, and email USF with questions.
Athletes who want to compete at an advanced level and potentially qualify for Open Nationals and Elite competitions.
Any age (13+) may compete in Open.
All weight classes are usually offered in Open at Local competitions.
The standard on which all other division weights are based.
Scaled and Masters are lower percentages; Elite is higher.
Athletes targeting USF Open Nationals or Elite shows need to compete in Open.
Scaled athletes cannot qualify for Open Nationals. Masters Nationals invites vary by competition.
Athletes who have proved themselves at USF Nationals and other high-level strongman events.
In Year 1, Elite divisions and competitions are by invite and/or application only. Application details will be released for individual shows as they are scheduled.
Generally 105–110% of Open
These weights are chosen to test the upper limits of the strongest athletes in the sport.
The Elite division will grow and evolve.
USF is consulting high-level athletes in other strength organizations, both inside and outside strongman, to develop the best Elite competition experience. Collaboration is key. Stay tuned.
A premium experience built for YOU at every level
We’ve seen plenty of ideas and systems over the years and are excited to offer this fresh approach to strongman divisions. The goal is to build on what works, toss what doesn’t, and create a federation that equally serves every strongman athlete at every level. In USF, the first-time competitor is just as valued as the seasoned Elite competitor. We’re all in the same sport, training to be our strongest selves, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Our promise is to continue refining our offerings to best serve the community. Please feel free to reach out with questions or suggestions, or to ask for help. Our inbox is always open.