The Verified SBD Total records combined squat, bench press, and deadlift performance completed to Proving Grounds standards.
Athletes worldwide can submit verified totals to contribute to a growing archive of measurable strength performance, progression, and achievement across the wider Proving Grounds community.Performance submissions are verified through structured movement standards, equipment
requirements, and video review guidelines designed to maintain consistency, fairness, and accountability across all verified totals.
The following squat variations are accepted:
● Back Squat
● Front Squat
● Zercher Squat
All lifts must be completed under control and performed to the required depth standard.
If a spotter is present, they may not assist the completion of the lift in any meaningful way.
Depth must clearly reach thigh parallel or below.
The following equipment is permitted:
The following equipment is not permitted:
Video submissions must:
The following bench press variations are accepted:
● Flat Barbell Bench Press
● Incline Barbell Bench Press
Each repetition must:
● Lower the bar under control to the chest
● Reach full elbow lockout at completion
A portion of the glutes must remain in contact with the bench throughout the lift.
If a spotter is present, they may not meaningfully assist the completion of the repetition.
The following are not permitted:
● Excessive rebounding of the bar from the chest
● Excessive arching that significantly reduces range of motion or removes meaningful glute contact from the bench
The following equipment is permitted:
The following equipment is not permitted:
Video submissions must:
The following deadlift variations are accepted:
● Conventional Deadlift
● Sumo Deadlift
● Zercher Deadlift
The following variations are not permitted:
● Power Cleans
● Hang Cleans
● Full Cleans
All lifts must:
● Reach full lockout of the knees and hips
● Finish with shoulders set back under control
The following are not permitted:
● Excessive hitching
● Ramping
● Uncontrolled movement
● Dropping the bar from lockout
Hands must remain in contact with the bar until it returns below knee height to demonstrate control of the lift.
The following equipment is permitted:
The following equipment are not permitted:
Video submissions must:
Fill in all fields, upload your evidence and we will handle verification from there.
Yes.
Proving Grounds Standards + Records accepts verified submissions from athletes worldwide.
Participation is open to independent athletes, affiliated clubs, teams, training facilities, and members of the wider Proving Grounds community.
Yes.
Submissions may be completed independently or as part of a club, team, gym, or affiliated training environment. As Proving Grounds Athletic expands, additional clubs, divisions, and participation pathways may continue to develop.
Yes.
Participants may choose to:
● Not be featured publicly
● Remain untagged across social media platforms
● Limit publicly displayed profile information attached to submissions
Yes.
Participants may submit updated performances throughout the year. Where combined totals or multiple standards apply, updated submissions may require all associated lifts to be resubmitted together.
Yes.
Footage from sanctioned competitions may be submitted provided all movement standards, equipment requirements, visibility requirements, and video guidelines are clearly met.
Competition judging or official white lights do not automatically guarantee verification within the Proving Grounds system.
For featured content consideration, we recommend:
● Vertical (9:16) format
● High-definition video quality
● Minimal on-screen text
● No watermarks
● Clear visibility of the athlete, equipment, and loaded weight
All submissions are reviewed against Proving Grounds movement standards, equipment requirements, and video submission guidelines before verification is approved.
Verification exists to maintain consistency, fairness, accountability, and integrity across all standards and leaderboards.
Most submissions are reviewed within 5–10 business days. During periods of higher submission volume, review times may vary.
Participants will be notified once their submission has been reviewed or if additional information is required.
If a submission does not meet the required standards, participants may be asked to provide:
● Additional footage
● Clarification
● A resubmission
Participants generally have one month from notification to provide updated material before a new full submission may be required.
Certain standards and leaderboards may include:
● Age divisions
● Weight classes
● Male and Female categories
● Grip or movement variations
Additional divisions and categories may continue to develop over time.
Leaderboard rankings are based on verified performances that successfully meet all applicable standards, requirements, and verification criteria for the selected category.
Verified submissions may receive:
● Performance review and standards feedback
● Placement on verified leaderboards
● Eligibility for featured athlete highlights
● Public recognition across Proving Grounds platforms
Due to submission volume, not all verified performances will be featured individually.
Performances more likely to be featured generally include:
● Clear adherence to standards
● Strong technical execution
● Unique or notable achievements
● High-quality video presentation
Adaptive athletes or participants requiring accommodations are encouraged to contact Proving Grounds Athletic directly.
Requests are reviewed individually while maintaining the integrity, consistency, and fairness of the standards system.
