Powerlifting is a strength activity that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts:
squat,
bench press, and
deadlift. As in the sport of
Olympic weightlifting, it involves lifting weights in three attempts. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as "odd lifts", which followed the same three-attempt format but used a wider variety of events, akin to
strongman competition. Eventually odd lifts became standardized to the current three.