Measurement

Body weight is another factor of powerlifting.

There are different weight classes for men and women so that when it comes to competition they are competing against someone of a similar weight for example it would easier for a 181 pound woman to squat 100 pounds than it would be for a 100 pounds woman to squat 100 pounds because of a pounds to body weight ratio. The 100 pound woman would be squatting her body weight and a 181 pound woman would be squatting less than her body weight.

Most lifters attempt to be at the top of their weight class so they will either diet towards the end of their training or eat more during their training in order to reach their appropriate weight. They do this dieting because they want to be at the top of their weight class, because they will have a better chance of lifting more if they are at a higher weight, as long as they combine their dieting with proper training.

One can weigh their bodyweight throughout training, but there will also be a weigh in before a competition so that all competitors are weighed with the same calibrated scale. 

Men and Women are measured in Pounds for the Vermont Competitions (but can easily be converted to kilograms)

Men and Women can be at or below the top weight for each weight class. For example I am in the 198 weight class because I weigh 190lb, which is less than 198lb and greater than 181 lb.

For Women there are weight classes  from 66lb to 198+lb weight classes. There are 13 intervals in that range.

For Men there are weight classes from 66 lb to 308+lb weight classes. There are 17 intervals in that range.

When it comes to the competition weigh, each individual as until a certain time where they can record their weight. It gets so intense that some lifters will weigh themselves in the nude and if they still don't reach their desired weight they will re-weigh after using the bathroom.