To organize a streetlifting competition, choose your framework (independent open or a stage of a circuit such as the FNSL, the ISF or the WSLF), define the format (Big 3: weighted pull-ups, dips and squats) and the weight classes, declare the event, open registrations, organize the flights, recruit judges, plan the weigh-in and the attempts, then publish the ranking by weight class. Allow 2 to 4 months of preparation.
Step 1: choose the association framework and the rules
Which federation to organize a streetlifting competition in France?
Streetlifting is not a delegated discipline in France: no national governing body holds the delegation for it. The sport is structured by associations and circuits, such as the FNSL (Fédération Nationale de Street Lifting) in France, and the International Streetlifting Federation (ISF) or the World Streetlifting Federation (WSLF) internationally. You adopt the rules of one of these circuits.
Your first choice shapes everything else. Either you attach your competition to an existing circuit (a sanctioned open, a championship stage) and apply its rules and execution standards, or you organize an independent open relying on the rules of one of these bodies. As there is no single federal platform, it is up to you to clearly set the framework from the announcement onward.
Decide on the format from the start too, because it governs registrations. The core of streetlifting is the weighted pull-up and the weighted dip. The Big 3 format adds the weighted squat; an All-4 format adds the weighted muscle-up on top. Announce the chosen format, the movements and the weight classes before opening registrations, so that athletes commit with full knowledge.
Step 2: define the categories, the movements and the format
Which weight classes in streetlifting?
Streetlifting pits athletes against each other by sex and by body weight. Common brackets revolve around -60, -67, -75, -85, -100 and +100 kg for men, with dedicated brackets for women; the exact limits depend on the circuit. Each athlete chooses their class at registration and must respect the maximum weight on weigh-in day.
The format is like a powerlifting meet. In a Big 3 format, three weighted movements: weighted pull-ups (from a full hang, chin above the bar, without swing), weighted dips (lowering shoulders below the elbows, then lockout) and weighted squat (hips below knee level, then a stable rise). Each athlete gets three attempts per movement, so nine attempts. Only the best valid attempt of each movement enters the total, and that total determines the ranking.
The competition progresses by rounds, like a meet: all the athletes in a flight take their first attempt on a movement, then the second, then the third, movement by movement and not athlete by athlete. Specify in advance the order of the movements (often pull-ups, then dips, then squat) and stick to it across all flights.
Step 3: set the date, the venue and the budget
How long does it take to organize a streetlifting competition?
Allow 2 to 4 months for a first open. Book the venue and set the date from the start, taking into account the other stages of your circuit. File the sports event declaration at least one month beforehand, and open registrations 4 to 6 weeks before the event day.
The venue must accommodate a pull-up station (a solid fixed bar, sufficient height), a dip station (parallel bars), a squat rack with a platform, a warm-up area, a closed room or corner for the weigh-in, changing rooms and public space. Allow a 5 to 8 hour day depending on the number of flights: weigh-in in the morning, first attempts afterward, finish in the afternoon.
The budget is built item by item, never as a single figure. It depends on the number of athletes and on the equipment you already have (many calisthenics gyms already have bars and weight). The main items: venue rental, equipment and weight, judges and volunteers, public liability insurance, awards, communication, catering. Keep a margin of 10 to 15 % for contingencies. Only communicate to athletes amounts (entry fees) that you have actually set.
Step 4: check the rules and the authorizations
Which authorizations to organize a streetlifting competition?
Declare the sports event to the town hall if it is held within a single municipality, to the prefecture if it spans several, at least 30 days beforehand, via the official platform « Déclaration des manifestations sportives ». Take out public liability insurance, and follow the rules and execution standards of the circuit you have chosen.
Beyond the administrative declaration, it is the circuit's rules that govern, since there is no delegated framework. Use its execution standards (the validity of a pull-up, a dip, a squat), its weigh-in rules, its categories and its ranking scale. If your stage counts toward a national ranking or an index (such as the RIS), check the validation conditions with the circuit before the event.
Think about safety: mandatory spotting on the weighted squat, checking of belts and loading systems, supervised warm-up and the presence of a first-aider. Date each step on your countdown plan. Useful sources: service-public.gouv.fr for the sports event declaration, and the website of the chosen circuit (FNSL, ISF, WSLF) for the rules and the standards.
Step 5: open registrations and lock the weight classes
How do you manage registrations for a streetlifting competition?
Open an online form where each athlete registers in their weight class, with their club or gym and, if you use it for seeding, their best known total. Accept or reject each request, set a closing date, then finalize the list. Software avoids double entry and feeds the composition of the flights.
Ask each registrant for: name, sex, date of birth, target weight class, club or gym, and their best known total (useful for preparing the order of the flights). The athlete registers self-service; the staff accepts or rejects each request, and a confirmation email goes out automatically. The definitive body weight will not be known until the weigh-in.
With CompetHub, you create your weight classes, and each athlete registers in their own. The software manages these registrations online and feeds the composition of the flights, which avoids re-copying an Excel list. Note that CompetHub does not do automatic seeding from a reference total: it is you who distribute the athletes into the flights.
Step 6: organize the flights and the order of attempts
How do you compose the flights of a streetlifting competition?
A flight (group) brings together a reasonable number of athletes (around ten depending on the station). Compose several groups by class or by time slot if the headcount requires it. The order of attempts is determined by the requested load, ascending, and at equal load by the lowest draw number.
The composition of the flights governs the pace of the day. Keep groups of even size so athletes do not have to wait between two attempts. Rotate the movements: the whole flight takes its pull-ups, then its dips, then its squat. Plan a break between movements to reset the equipment (going from the pull-up bar to the squat rack).
The order of attempts is not fixed in advance: it is recalculated each round according to the load requested by each athlete. The lightest in load goes first; at equal load, it is the lowest draw number. Managing this recalculation by hand, between two attempts, is the leading source of delay and error. A software that generates the order of attempts automatically recalculates the queue as soon as an athlete announces their load and keeps the platform flowing.
Step 7: plan the weigh-in, the attempts and the stations
How does the weigh-in work in streetlifting?
The weigh-in is held before the start of the competition, in a closed room, in the presence of officials of the same sex as the athlete. Each athlete is weighed and must respect the maximum weight of their class; their body weight is recorded, which will be used for tie-breaking. It is also the moment of the draw for the order of attempts.
Build your schedule around this weigh-in slot. For a single station: weigh-in early in the morning, first pull-ups afterward, dips around midday, squat in the afternoon. With several flights, stagger the weigh-in slots so as not to overload the closed room. Account for the equipment reset time between each movement.
The body weight recorded at the weigh-in is used for tie-breaking: at equal total within a class, the lightest athlete wins. It also serves as a basis if your circuit then computes a relative coefficient (RIS, DOTS) to compare the classes against each other.
Step 8: recruit the judges, the officials and the volunteers
How many judges do you need for a streetlifting competition?
Plan for several judges per station to validate each attempt according to the execution standards, ideally a three-white-light system (white for good lift, red for no lift) settled by majority, borrowed from powerlifting. Add spotters on the squat, an announcer, a secretary who enters the attempts and loaders.
The judging is about execution: full range of motion on the pull-up (chin above the bar, full hang without swing), the dip (shoulders below the elbows then lockout) and the squat (hips below the knees then a stable rise). Experienced judges from the circuit make the validations reliable and avoid disputes.
Around the judges, plan for the other roles: an announcer to call the attempts, a secretary who enters loads and decisions, loaders and spotters (notably on the weighted squat, where spotting is mandatory), a controller for the loading equipment, and rescue personnel. Do not confuse the loaders or spotters with the judges: these are distinct roles.
Step 9: prepare the equipment and the platform
What equipment for a streetlifting competition?
You need a solid and well-anchored pull-up bar, parallel bars for the dips, a rack and a platform for the weighted squat, weight belts and loading systems, a barbell and calibrated plates, locking collars, and a system of lights or flags for the judging.
Check the strength and height of the pull-up station (a full hang must be possible, no contact with the floor including the load), the stability of the dip bars and the conformity of the squat rack. Prepare enough small plates and means of loading to finely adjust the loads from one attempt to the next. A screen displaying the attempts and the ranking helps the public follow along.
If you do not own everything, borrowing from another calisthenics or strength gym is common. Inspect the loading equipment (belts, carabiners, chains) before the event day: a faulty system is an injury risk. Add signage, the sound system, a first-aid kit and catering to your checklist.
Step 10: communicate and fill the competition
How do you communicate about a streetlifting competition?
Create a public page with the presentation, the date, the venue, the format (Big 3 or All-4, the reference circuit) and the list of registrants by class. Share it with calisthenics gyms, athletes of the circuit and on social media, display a countdown and send reminders for the weigh-in. A branded page, accessible without an account, reassures athletes and the public.
The streetlifting audience is very present online and on social media. Relay your announcement to calisthenics and street workout gyms, athletes of the circuit and local communities. Specify the format and the reference rules early, because they determine who can register and how the attempts will be judged. A public page with a countdown, presentation and list of entrants by class gives a serious image and limits questions by message.
Step 11: manage the weigh-in and the attempts on event day
How do you follow the attempts of a streetlifting competition live?
After the weigh-in, each athlete announces the load of their first attempt. The judge validates or rejects, with the three white lights, and the result is entered. The best valid attempt of each movement enters the total. The ranking by class and the public page update automatically, with no paper sheet.
The event day moves fast. Welcome and identity check, weigh-in in the closed room, draw for the order of attempts, then the station starts. For each attempt, the athlete announces their load, the loader prepares the weight, the announcer calls, the athlete executes their movement. The judges validate by majority of the lights.
Live tracking changes the day. When the secretary enters the decision, the best valid attempt automatically enters the total, the order of attempts for the next round is recalculated, and the public sees the totals and the ranking by class update automatically on the public page. This removes the paper sheets, makes the total reliable and keeps the room informed.
Step 12: publish the rankings and do the wrap-up
How do you establish the ranking of a streetlifting competition?
The ranking of each class (sex x weight) is based on the highest total (the sum of the best valid loads). At equal total, the lightest athlete wins. For an overall ranking, circuits apply a relative coefficient that accounts for body weight, such as the streetlifting RIS index, or the DOTS / Wilks formulas. Publish the results on the public page.
CompetHub computes and publishes the ranking by class on total, which is built from the first valid attempt. The relative coefficient (RIS, DOTS), for its part, is computed separately: CompetHub does not produce it and does not crown an overall winner in Total mode. If your circuit requires it, use the official calculator of the index (for example the RIS, in its edition in force) from the totals and the body weights.
Once the podiums are established, thank the volunteers, judges and sponsors, do the actual financial wrap-up against the forecast, collect feedback from the athletes and archive results and registrations. Export the list of registrants as CSV for your archives and the next edition.
How much does it cost to organize a streetlifting competition?
How much does it cost to organize a streetlifting competition?
The cost depends above all on the venue and the equipment you already have. A fully equipped calisthenics gym greatly reduces the budget. At a minimum, count the rental or provision of the venue, the insurance, the awards and the communication. Build the budget item by item and keep a margin for contingencies.
Here are the items to plan for, in indicative ranges to adapt to your context (they depend heavily on your region, your venue and your circuit).
| Item | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Venue and station rental | often the 1st item |
| Equipment and weight (rental or amortization) | varies with the equipment already available |
| Public liability insurance | by quote depending on the insurer |
| Judges, spotters and officials | variable expense reimbursement |
| Awards (medals, cups) | variable |
| Communication and printing | variable |
| Catering and refreshment stand | variable |
| Contingency margin | 10 to 15 % |
On the revenue side: entry fees per athlete (which you set), the refreshment stand, local sponsors (gyms, equipment brands) and a possible grant from the town hall. A well-run refreshment stand often covers a notable share of the costs over a day.
Countdown plan and checklist to organize your streetlifting competition
A countdown plan avoids oversights on the authorizations, the weigh-in and the equipment.
- D-4 to D-3 months: choose the framework (independent open or circuit stage) and the format (Big 3 or All-4), book the venue, set the date, build the forecast budget.
- D-2 months: file the sports event declaration (at least 30 days beforehand), define the weight classes, secure the equipment and the weight, recruit the judges.
- D-6 to D-4 weeks: open online registrations, communicate with the gyms and the circuit, finalize the displayed execution standards.
- D-2 weeks: compose the flights, prepare the weigh-in and attempts schedule, finalize the equipment checklist, relaunch the communication.
- Event day: welcome, weigh-in (in a closed room), draw, running of the three movements by rounds, judging with the lights, automatic display of the results.
- After: publish the rankings by class, compute the relative coefficient separately if the circuit requires it, export the list of registrants as CSV, give thanks, do the financial wrap-up, archive for the next edition.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Declaring too late. The sports event declaration is filed at least 30 days beforehand. Plan ahead from D-2 months.
- Blurring the rules. Without a delegated framework, it is the rules of the chosen circuit that govern. Clearly display the format, the execution standards and the scale from the announcement.
- Neglecting the safety of the weight and the squat. Mandatory spotting on the weighted squat, checking of belts and loading systems: faulty equipment causes injury.
- Forgetting the order of attempts by load. The order is computed by ascending load, not by bib number. Managing it by hand between two attempts causes errors and delays.
- Confusing the ranking by class and the relative coefficient. The ranking by class is based on the total; comparing the classes against each other requires a relative coefficient (RIS, DOTS), computed separately.
- Managing the attempts on paper. Centralizing nine attempts per athlete and the judges' decisions by hand distorts the total. Live entry makes everything reliable.
FAQ: organizing a streetlifting competition
Do you need a federation to organize a streetlifting competition?
Streetlifting is not a delegated discipline in France. Associations and circuits structure the sport, such as the FNSL in France, and the ISF or the WSLF internationally. You organize under the banner of one of them or independently, following their rules and their execution standards.
What are the streetlifting movements?
The core of streetlifting is the weighted pull-up and the weighted dip. The Big 3 format adds the weighted squat with a barbell. Some circuits offer an All-4 format with a fourth movement, the weighted muscle-up. Each athlete gets three attempts per movement, and only the best valid attempt counts.
How is the ranking determined in streetlifting?
Within each weight class, the ranking is based on the total (the sum of the best valid loads); at equal total, the lightest wins. To compare athletes from different classes, circuits use a relative coefficient that accounts for body weight, such as the RIS index, or the DOTS / Wilks formulas.
How many attempts does each athlete get?
Each athlete gets three attempts per movement. In a Big 3 format (weighted pull-ups, dips, squats), that makes nine attempts. Only the best valid attempt of each movement enters the total, and it is that total that determines the ranking of the class.
Can you organize a streetlifting competition for free?
You always pay for certain items (venue, equipment, judges, insurance). The management tool, however, can be free: CompetHub is free to start, with no credit card. You manage registrations, flights, attempts and ranking with no software cost, which lightens the budget of a first open.
How are attempts judged in streetlifting?
Judges validate each attempt according to execution standards: a pull-up with the chin above the bar from a full hang without swing, a dip with the shoulders below the elbows then lockout, a squat with the hips below knee level then a stable rise. A three-white-light system (white for good lift, red for no lift), borrowed from powerlifting, settles the decision by majority.
The software to organize your streetlifting competition
Once the method is set, the tool does the rest. CompetHub links every step of this guide: online registrations by weight class, flights, order of attempts recalculated by load, entry of the three attempts (weighted pull-ups, dips, squats) and the decisions with the lights, computation of the total and ranking by class, branded public page and CSV export of registrants. The relative coefficient (RIS, DOTS), for its part, is computed separately. You organize the competition. We bring it to life.
To compare the features in detail, see the page streetlifting competition software.
Launch your streetlifting competition right now.
Registrations, weight classes, flights, judging with the lights and ranking by class on total: it is all together. Free to start, no credit card.