Editorial Standards

Powerlifting Programs exists to give serious lifters trustworthy information. That means every claim we make needs to be backed by evidence, every product recommendation earned through testing, and every article reviewed by qualified professionals before it reaches you. Below is how we do it.

Research Methodology

We source our training and nutrition claims from peer-reviewed literature. Our approved source list includes:

• PubMed and NCBI-indexed journals
• The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (JSCR)
• Established evidence-based authorities: Examine.com, Stronger By Science, and the NSCA
• Federation-level documentation from USAPL, USPA, and the IPF
• OpenPowerlifting for competition data and historical records

We do not cite social media posts, unreviewed blog content, or manufacturer marketing materials as evidence for training or supplement claims. If a claim cannot be supported by our approved sources, we either remove it or clearly label it as anecdotal.

Product Testing Protocol

When we review a supplement or piece of gear, we follow a structured testing protocol:

• Real testers — Products are tested by competitive powerlifters during actual training cycles, not in a lab vacuum.
• Documented duration — Every review states how long the product was tested. Supplement reviews require a minimum of four weeks of consistent use.
• Training logs — Testers maintain training logs during the review period so we can report on real-world performance, not just subjective impressions.
• COA verification — For supplements, we verify certificates of analysis (COAs) from manufacturers to confirm label accuracy and third-party testing where available.
• Photography — We use original product photos taken during testing, not stock images or manufacturer renders.

Expert Review Process

Every Tier 1 pillar article and every supplement or gear review is reviewed by a certified professional before publication. Our reviewers hold credentials including CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) and USAPL coaching certifications. The reviewer checks for claim accuracy, appropriate context, and any safety considerations. Each published article credits its reviewer by name and certification number.

Independence Pledge

We maintain affiliate partnerships with select brands (detailed in our affiliate disclosure), but these relationships never dictate our editorial conclusions. We do not accept payment for positive reviews. We do not grant partners editorial approval over our content. If a partner's product underperforms in testing, we report that honestly — even if it costs us affiliate revenue. Our credibility with readers is worth more than any single commission.

Update Policy

Content does not stay accurate forever. We re-review every product review page on a quarterly basis. During each review cycle, we check for product reformulations, discontinued items, price changes, and new competitor entries. Updated articles display a "Last updated" date and note what changed. If a product is discontinued or reformulated, we update the review within two weeks of confirmation.

If you spot an error in any of our content, please contact us at editors@powerliftingprograms.com. We investigate every correction request and update published content when warranted.

Last updated: May 2026