What are weightlifters allowed to wear?
Officials' detail · Equipment, kit and officials · 3 of 4Lifters wear a one-piece, collarless costume that leaves the elbows and knees uncovered, with sport footwear. A T-shirt or a tight unitard may go under it. A belt may be worn outside the costume and can be at most 12 centimetres wide.
How it works
- The costume: one piece, collarless, any colour, not covering the knees or the elbows.
- Under it, a unitard: tight fitting, collarless and plain. It may cover elbows and knees to the wrist and ankle.
- Under it, a T-shirt: collarless, close fitting, tucked in, not covering the elbows.
- Under it, shorts or leggings: tight fitting. Shorts must not cover the knees.
- Socks: any length or colour. They may cover the knees.
- Footwear: appropriate sport footwear that protects the feet and gives a firm stance.
- The belt: optional, worn outside the costume, 12 centimetres at its widest. The glossary entry is lifting belt.
- Chalk: permitted. Grease, oil, water, talcum, cream or any other lubricant on the body is forbidden.
- Electronics: phones, music players and the like are forbidden on the platform. Medical devices such as hearing aids are excepted.
- Markings: the lifter's name, club and sponsors may appear. Political statements and offensive symbols may not.
Tricky cases
Can a lifter compete in a T-shirt and shorts?
No, not at most levels. A T-shirt and shorts cannot replace the costume. The British rule book makes an exception for young children's events and club-level competitions.
Can a lifter wear long sleeves?
Yes, if it is a tight unitard under the costume, which may cover the elbows to the wrist. A T-shirt must not cover the elbows.
Is a belt compulsory?
No. A belt "may be worn".
Can a lifter put oil on their thighs to help the bar slide?
No. A lifter using a forbidden lubricant is ordered to remove it at once, and the clock keeps running while they do.
Why the rule exists
Referees must see the elbows lock and the knees straighten to judge a lift, so the kit rules keep those joints in view or tightly outlined. The lubricant ban stops the bar sliding more easily up the thighs.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The rule book read | As above | BWL 4.1; BWL 4.2; BWL 4.3; BWL 4.7 |
| British development and club events | T-shirt and shorts allowed in place of the costume | BWL 4.1.5 |
| Logos | A maker's or sponsor's mark of up to 500 square millimetres on each article | BWL 4.8 |
| International events | The IWF rules on kit were not read and may be stricter on footwear and national team uniform | C |
From the rule book
British Weight Lifting Technical and Competition Rules and Regulations (updated 22 July 2026), rules 2.4.6, 2.4.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.7 and 4.8. A national rule book that follows the IWF rules. The IWF document itself was not read. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: BWL Technical and Competition Rules and Regulations 2026 (PDF).