SBD Foundations Challenge
The SBD Foundations Challenge helps you build a strong base in the three main lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. It serves as an excellent launchpad to the 600 Pound Club & 1000 Pound Club, while also offering meaningful milestones for Masters lifters, casual lifters, and anyone looking to chase personal SBD goals.
It includes milestone levels for both the Open Division (men + women) and the Women’s Division. Progress is based on your SBD total — hit the next milestone, move up on the board, and get closer to the big clubs.
Details
Your squat, bench press, and deadlift combined must meet or exceed the challenge total. For more details, check out the FAQ.
Open Division
SBD 500 Challenge (500 lb / 227 kg)
SBD 750 Challenge (750 lb / 340 kg)
Women’s Division
SBD 400 Challenge (400 lb / 181 kg)
SBD 500 Challenge (500 lb / 227 kg)
Lift Standards
Please read the following section on required lift form, allowed equipment, and required video angles. Failure to meet these requirements may result in a disqualification.
Squat Standards
- Back squats, front squats, and Zercher squats are permitted.
- If a spotter is utilized, the spotter will not meaningfully assist the completion of the lift.
- Squat depth must be achieved to thigh parallel or greater.
- To get a visual of this, check out our blog on squat depth.
Allowed
- Barbells including specialty bars such as safety squat, buffalo, cambered, etc. are permitted.
- Knee sleeves, belt, and lifting shoes.
Not Allowed
- Knee wraps, lift suits, or external wedges/plates under heels.
- Machine lifts or box squats.
- Video must show all weight plates on at least one side of the barbell.
- Lifter must remain fully visible at all times, with no obstructions that interfere with judging.
- Video Angles
- Use a side angle. A slight angle toward the front or back is also acceptable.
- Videos taken directly from the front or back are difficult to judge and will likely require resubmission.
Bench Press Standards
- Flat or incline barbell bench press is allowed.
- Bar must be lowered to the chest and pressed upwards until elbows are locked out.
- A portion of the glutes must always remain in contact with the bench; no periods where contact is completely lost is allowed.
- If a spotter is utilized, the spotter will not meaningfully assist the completion of the lift.
- No excessive rebounding of the bar off of the chest.
- No excessive arching that results in either a significant portion of the glutes not being in contact with the bench or the elbow joint remaining above the shoulder joint at the bottom of the lift.
Allowed
- Wrist supports, elbow sleeves, and belt.
- Plates underneath the feet if feet cannot touch the ground.
Not Allowed
- Elbow wraps, lift suits, Sling Shots, or other assistive gear.
- Multi-grip bars, dumbbells, or machine lifts.
- Video must show all weight plates on at least one side of the barbell.
- Lifter must remain fully visible at all times, with no obstructions that interfere with judging.
- Video Angles
- Use a side or front angle. A slight angle toward the front or back is also acceptable.
- Videos taken directly from the back are difficult to judge and will likely require resubmission.
Deadlift Standards
- Conventional, sumo, and Zercher deadlifts are allowed.
- No power, hang, or full clean variations.
- Must momentarily achieve lock out of knees and hips with shoulders back.
- No excessive hitching or ramping.
- No dropping the bar at the top of the lift.
- Hands must remain in contact with the bar until knee height or lower to show control.
Allowed
- Barbells
- Chalk, belt, knee sleeves, and lifting shoes.
Not Allowed
- Straps, grip devices, knee wraps, lift suits.
- Hex/trap bar or machine lifts.
- Anything that significantly elevates the barbell from the ground from a standard bumper plate height.
- Video must show all weight plates on at least one side of the barbell.
- Lifter must remain fully visible at all times, with no obstructions that interfere with judging.
- Video Angles
- Use a front or front-side angle.
- Videos taken directly from the back are difficult to judge and will may require resubmission.
FAQ
Pro Review applicants get:
• A form check with feedback.
• Added to the Milestone Board (if accepted).
• Custom acceptance letter with your name and lift numbers.
• Official SBD Foundations decal.
Currently, beginner challenges are not prioritized for social media shares. However, if your submission is unique enough, we may share it on social media, our website, or newsletter.
The Milestone Board shows your name or social media handle (whichever you prefer) and the SBD Challenge level you’ve achieved (for example: SBD 500). Individual lift numbers are not displayed — only your overall challenge level.
- All lifts do not need to be done on the same day, but they must have been done within the same week.
- For the 2025 cycle, lifts must be from 2025
You have one month from the time of notification to resubmit. Redo whichever lift(s) need a revision and then resubmit using the resubmission form. If you fall outside of the one month window, you must redo all of your lift(s) and submit a new application.
If you have any questions or are requesting an exemption, send us a message on our contact page. For example, if you are an adaptive athlete and need accommodations, we will make it work.
Milestone Board
| Name | Social | Last Name | Handle | SBD Total (lbs) | M/F | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis | Ellison | 750+ | M | 2025 | 6-9-2025 |
| Marcus | Hanley | 500+ | M | 2025 | 6-10-2025 |
| Jared | McCallum | 750+ | M | 2025 | 6-11-2025 |
| Neil | Rosario | 500+ | M | 2025 | 6-12-2025 |
| Damian | Fletcher | 750+ | M | 2025 | 6-13-2025 |
| Erica | Vaughn | 500+ | F | 2025 | 6-14-2025 |
| Tasha | Whitaker | 400+ | F | 2025 | 6-15-2025 |
| Maria | Gamez | 400+ | F | 2025 | 6-16-2025 |
| mrmungdaal | 750+ | M | 2025 | 7-9-2025 | |
| Ethan | Lonske | 750+ | M | 2025 | 7-14-2025 |
| Valentin | Raynov | 500+ | M | 2025 | 7-28-2025 |
| Callie | Berrios | 500+ | F | 2025 | 11-3-2025 |
Apply for the SBD Foundations Challenge
Currently, paid applications for this challenge are on hold. We encourage you to still try it out and work towards the next step.